President Tinubu Visits Ijebu Ode to Pay Respects Following Death of Awujale of Ijebuland
Ijebu Ode, Ogun State – July 22, 2025
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Tuesday paid a solemn visit to Ijebu Ode, Ogun State, to honour the memory of the late Awujale and paramount ruler of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona, who passed away last week at the age of 90 after a brief illness.
The visit, which drew national attention, saw the president arriving the ancient town with a high-powered delegation comprising governors, ministers, traditional rulers, and senior government officials. Tinubu, who hails from the neighboring Lagos State, was warmly received by members of the Ogun State Executive Council, led by Governor Dapo Abiodun, along with thousands of Ijebu indigenes who lined the streets to pay their final respects to the revered monarch.
A Nation Mourns a Royal Icon
Oba Sikiru Adetona, who ascended the throne in 1960, was one of Nigeria’s longest-reigning monarchs and a symbol of courage, stability, and cultural pride in the southwestern region. His death marked the end of an era in Yoruba traditional leadership, and his legacy continues to resonate across the country.
President Tinubu, deeply moved by the monarch’s passing, described the late Awujale as a “true embodiment of dignity, wisdom, and progressive leadership,” noting that his reign was characterized by peace, development, and the preservation of cultural values in Ijebuland.
“We have lost a titan of our traditional institutions,” Tinubu said during a private condolence meeting with the royal family at the Awujale’s Palace. “Oba Adetona was not just a king to his people; he was a voice of reason, a bridge between tradition and modernity, and a man of deep conviction who always stood on the side of truth and justice. His wise counsel and fatherly guidance will be missed, not only by the people of Ijebuland but by all Nigerians who came to admire his leadership over the years.”
Tinubu Joins Traditional Rites and Community Prayers
After offering private condolences to the royal family, President Tinubu joined in a special Islamic prayer session held in honour of the departed monarch at the Central Mosque in Ijebu Ode. Muslim clerics led a series of prayers for the repose of the monarch’s soul, while Christian leaders also held interdenominational services across the town to commemorate the late Oba’s life and reign.
Dressed in a simple white agbada and a Yoruba cap, Tinubu stood in solemn silence as religious leaders eulogized the monarch’s contributions to national unity and Yoruba advancement. The president also laid a wreath at the palace and signed the official condolence register, where he penned a personal tribute.
“Oba Sikiru Adetona was a beacon of grace and wisdom, a traditional ruler whose integrity and vision shaped the destiny of Ijebuland and left an enduring impact on Nigeria’s socio-political history. May his soul rest in perfect peace,” Tinubu wrote.
Crowd of Mourners and Dignitaries
The president’s visit turned Ijebu Ode into a national convergence point, as thousands of mourners flooded the town to witness the historic farewell. Security was tight, and the atmosphere was a mix of grief and celebration of a life well lived.
Also present during the visit were Senate President Godswill Akpabio, House Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, former President Olusegun Obasanjo, APC National Chairman Abdullahi Ganduje, and several serving and former governors, including Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos, Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti, and Seyi Makinde of Oyo.
Cultural troupes from across Yorubaland performed solemn renditions of Ijebu traditional music, while community women groups, students, and local chiefs lined the palace corridor to offer final salutations.
Governor Abiodun Praises Presidential Solidarity
Governor Dapo Abiodun, in his remarks, expressed deep appreciation for President Tinubu’s show of solidarity with the people of Ijebuland and Ogun State at large.
“Your Excellency’s presence today is not just symbolic but deeply comforting to the entire Ogun State. The late Awujale was a father to all of us, and your visit shows the unity and mutual respect that define our people,” Abiodun said.
He described the Awujale as a modern reformer within the traditional institution and praised his role in enhancing education, infrastructure, and industrial development in the state.
National Tributes Pour In
Since the announcement of Oba Adetona’s passing, tributes have poured in from across the country and the diaspora. The traditional ruler, known for his intellect and outspokenness, was widely respected for promoting transparency, good governance, and youth empowerment throughout his reign.
Oba Adetona was a key advocate for traditional rulers playing an advisory role in modern governance. He also funded numerous educational and health institutions, including the Oba Sikiru Adetona School of Governance Studies at Olabisi Onabanjo University, which was named in his honour.
His long and storied reign witnessed the transformation of Ijebu Ode from a small town to a bustling economic and cultural hub in southwestern Nigeria.
A Final Farewell and Enduring Legacy
President Tinubu’s visit marks the beginning of a series of state and traditional ceremonies expected to culminate in a grand burial rite in accordance with Ijebu customs. Plans are already underway to immortalize the late monarch, with proposed projects including a museum and a civic centre in his name.
As the town of Ijebu Ode mourns its royal father, the legacy of Oba Sikiru Adetona stands tall as a reminder of visionary leadership rooted in culture, discipline, and service to humanity.
Nigeria may have lost a king, but the memory of his reign will continue to inspire generations to come.
