President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, will on Friday, May 10, inaugurate the multi-billion Naira School of Governance for Postgraduate and Research Studies in Governance, at Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State.
The project inauguration is part of activities lined up to mark the 90th birthday and 64th Coronation anniversaries of the Awujale and Paramount ruler of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona.
Oba Adetona, who was born on May 10, 1934, ascended the throne of his forefathers on April 2, 1960 following a letter, dated January 4, 1960 referenced CB. 4 1/333, the Permanent Secretary in the Western Region’s Ministry of Local Government conveyed to the Local Government Adviser in Ijebu Ode.
The Chairman, Anniversaries Central Working Committee of Oba Adetona, Otunba Adekunle Hassan, who disclosed this while addressing newsmen at the Awujale Palace in Ijebu-Ode, said the reign of Oba Adetona has been a monumental success and a pride to the Ijebu.
According to Otunba Hassan, “to Awujale Adetona, good governance is the key to the emancipation of the society and the development of the country. ‘Good governance is a sine qua non for the march and advancement of our socio-economic, political, educational and technological growth and development’ is the oft-repeated declaration of the monarch.
“He feels good governance has eluded the nation and he is therefore, poised to reverse the trend or stem the tide through the professorial chair he endowed on governance, and research and studies on governance.
“His commitment to education is unassailable. His contributions to education is equally legendary. He fought for the retention of Tai Solarin University of Education when a past administration mooted the idea of crapping the institution which is the first university of
education in the country.
He added, “since 1960, Oba Adetona has succeeded in raising the status and reckoning of his Ijebu people. He is known and perceived as one of the country’s greatest monarchs; dead or alive.
“A philosopher and social engineer, a thoroughbred and incorruptible monarch, his fame and popularity extend beyond the shores of Nigeria. A creative and strategic ruler, Oba Adetona has been a significant factor in the nation’s socio-political and economic development and growth.
“The Awujale is loyally and devotedly committed to the Nigerian State. He is indeed, a patriot.
“He has built bridges across Rivers Niger and Benue. He admonishes his people to be thoroughbred wherever they find themselves. No wonder the Ijebu people have not only comported themselves wherever they are, but it is on record that no inter or intra ethnic clash has been recorded in Ijebuland since he ascended the throne in 1960.
“Every successive administration in Ogun State and Nigeria holds him in high esteem is a manifestation of his incorruptibility and sagacity.
“He has immeasurably succeeded in bringing about religious harmony among his people to the extent that religion does not dichotomise Ijebu. The Christians live in harmony with Muslims in Ijebuland. The traditionalists are equally not isolated.
The Ijebu monarch, Alaiyeluwa Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona represents the totality of the worthy ancestral heritage of a people that have carved a niche for themselves in governance.
“The Ijebu Development Board on Poverty Reduction midwives by Awujale Adetona has significantly reduced poverty in Ijebuland. The initiative has become a model not only in the country, but in Nigeria in terms of success, relevance and impact. It is now a multi-billion
naira initiative.
“Awujale Adetona is using his sagacity and creative ingenuity to bring the traditional institution in tandem with civilisation. The old and fetish practices have been jettisoned in Ijebuland, thus making the institution to be attractive to successful technocrats, professionals, and business moguls of royal lineage”.
“The Ogun State Government keyed into the philosophy of Oba Adetona by taking desirable step to outlaw barbaric practices in the coronation and burial of traditional rulers in the state”.
“For these and many other reasons too numerous to state, we, his subjects have decided to celebrate the twin events of his 64th Coronation anniversary and 90th Birthday Anniversary”.
On Friday, May 3, 2024 there will be a Jum’at Service at the Ijebu Ode Central Mosque commencing at 1.00p.m; followed by a Thanksgiving Church Service at the Cathedral Church of Our Saviour, Itaolowajoda, Ijebu Ode.
“On Friday, May 10, 2024, the exact date of his 90th Birthday, he would be playing host to the President and Commander inChief of the country, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu and numerous country men and
women at the Olabisi Onabanjo, Ago Iwoye, Ogun State for the following events: the
2024 edition of the Annual Oba Adetona Professorial Chair Lecture on Governance; a book presentation on Reinventing Governance in Nigeria: The Oba (Dr.) Sikiru Kayode Adetona model; a documentary on the legendary Oba S. K. Adetona; and the Commissioning of the iconic multi-billion naira School of Governance bequeathed to the university for postgraduate studies and research in good governance”.
“The grand finale holds on Saturday, May 11, 2024 when the Ijebu nation would be hosting a Civic Reception in honour of their monarch who is the Ijebu deity at the Dipo Dina International Stadium, Ijebu Ode commencing at 12 noon”.
