Gideon Maxwell
July 18, 2025
Former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has paid a moving tribute to the late Awujale and Paramount Ruler of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona, describing the revered monarch as a leader who embodied nobility, fearlessness, and transformative leadership for over six decades.
In a statement released following the burial of the late monarch, Osinbajo reflected on Oba Adetona’s rare blend of courage, dignity, and devotion to his people, calling him “a titan even among royalty.”
“Every once in a long while, a leader emerges not merely destined, but ready and refined to give transformative leadership, consistently and for decades,” Osinbajo wrote.
“Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona was such a monarch. King at 26, and 65 years on the throne, he demonstrated nobility in word and deed, fearlessness in the pursuit of justice and equity, and a deep love for his people.”
Oba Adetona, who reigned from 1960 until his passing in 2024, was one of Nigeria’s longest-serving monarchs and a respected voice across the nation’s political, traditional, and civic spaces.
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Osinbajo hailed him as a steady and dignified force who guided generations of leaders with candour and grace.
“A titan even among royalty,” he said, “Oba Adetona wielded his influence with courage, candour, and grace, guiding presidents, governors and citizens alike with a steady, dignified hand.”
The former vice president noted that under the monarch’s reign, the globally renowned Ojude Oba festival transformed into a symbol of Ijebu cultural renaissance, drawing visitors from around the world to celebrate unity, identity, and tradition.
“Under his reign, the Ojude Oba festival blossomed into a dazzling celebration of Ijebu pride, drawing people near and far to honour tradition and community,” Osinbajo added.
He also described the late king’s life as one anchored in service, rather than the mere trappings of royal power. “His life was a testament to service that transcends power, a legacy of progress grounded in selfless devotion,” he said.
Oba Adetona was laid to rest on Monday, July 14, 2025, in Ijebu Ode, Ogun State, beside the tombs of his royal forebears, in a ceremony attended by prominent dignitaries and thousands of well-wishers.
Among those present were Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun; Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu; former Ogun State Governors Aremo Olusegun Osoba and Otunba Gbenga Daniel; industrialist Otunba Bimbo Ashiru; and members of the royal family and Ijebu community.
“It was a moment of solemn honour, shared by family members, the proud people of Ogun State, and thousands who came from near and far,” Osinbajo said of the funeral. “We laid to rest a towering icon, a man of whom myths have been spun and stories told.”
Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona’s reign, which began just before Nigeria’s independence, was widely regarded as one of the most influential in modern Yoruba history.
His blend of traditional authority with progressive vision earned him a rare place in Nigeria’s evolving political and cultural landscape.
As the nation mourns, Osinbajo’s tribute captures the deep respect and affection held for the late monarch, not just as a king, but as a symbol of enduring leadership and integrity.
