President Bola Tinubu on Sunday paid glowing tribute to the late Awujale and paramount ruler of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona, describing his blessings as instrumental to his emergence as President in the 2023 general election.
Speaking during the eighth-day Fidau prayers held in honour of the revered monarch, Tinubu joined family members, dignitaries, and well-wishers in celebrating the life and legacy of the late traditional ruler.
The President hailed Oba Adetona as a moral compass whose wisdom and leadership played a pivotal role in the political, social, and economic development of Yorubaland and Nigeria at large.
“Baba was steadfast, resolute, and deeply encouraging,” Tinubu said. “Our history would not be complete without his contribution. When I came to him, he gave me his blessing and said, ‘You will win that election.’ That support meant the world to me. I am extremely proud of him — he was always there in times of need.”
Recalling the monarch’s involvement in the pro-democracy struggle following the annulment of the June 12, 1993 presidential election, Tinubu described him as a key figure in the efforts to revalidate the historic mandate won by the late Chief Moshood Abiola.
“We’ve named institutions after him, but his true legacy lies in the culture and values he upheld. It is now left for us to reflect those values and keep his spirit alive,” the President added.
President Tinubu also used the occasion to call for unity among the people of Ijebuland and Nigeria as a whole, urging citizens to uphold the ideals that the late Awujale embodied throughout his reign.
He commended Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun for his commitment to the late monarch’s wellbeing and legacy, describing Oba Adetona as a father figure, a man of conscience, and a custodian of tradition and integrity.
Governor Abiodun, in his remarks, praised the Awujale as more than just a monarch, calling him “the voice of the voiceless” and “a revered patriarch whose legacy will echo through generations.”
“Baba was a man of exceptional intellect and rare integrity. Even before he ascended the throne, his brilliance and forthrightness were unmistakable,” the governor said. “He transformed traditional leadership into a platform for good governance, national dialogue, and moral direction.”
Governor Abiodun noted that under Oba Adetona’s reign, Ijebuland experienced unprecedented development and prosperity. “He served as a bridge between our cherished past and a promising future. His reign brought peace, prestige, and global recognition to our land.”
The well-attended event, held at the Dipo Dina Stadium in Ijebu Ode, brought together serving and former governors, members of the Federal Executive Council, National Assembly members, traditional rulers, religious leaders, and prominent figures from across the country.
