The remains of the late Awujale and paramount ruler of Ijebuland, Oba (Dr.) Sikiru Kayode Adetona was on Monday laid to rest in Ijebu Ode in accordance with the Islamic rites.
The event was presided over by the Chief Imam of Ijebuland, Sheik Muftaudeen Ayanbadejo.
Oba Adetona, who joined his ancestors on Sunday, July 13, 2025, was interred at an already prepared tomb beside his parents at the mausoleum located within his Ogbagba Court in Igbeba, Ijebu Ode around 6pm.
Among eminent personalities who thronged Ijebu Ode to pay their last respect to the late monarch include former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, Chairman of Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote; Lagos State governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu who joined his Ogun State counterpart, Prince Dapo Abiodun, for the funeral rites.
Also in attendance was the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, who led a federal government delegation that included the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Alh Gboyega Oyetola.
Others included former governors of Ogun State – Aremo Olusegun Osoba and Otunba Gbenga Daniel; Deputy Governor of Ogun State, Engr. Noimot Salako-Oyedele; former Nigerian Ambassador to the United Kingdom, Sarafa Ishola; former Deputy Governor, Senator Gbenga Kaka, as well as the Senate Committee Chairman on Appropriations, Solomon Olamilekan Adeola, among others.Afrobeats merchandise
Meanwhile, traditionalists, who also thronged the venue of the funeral rites were prevented from conducting the customary burial rituals at the event which held amidst heavy security build-up already put in place by the state government.
The traditionalists, who arrived in large numbers in anticipation of performing the age-long traditional rites, were later escorted out of the venue by security operatives that included personnel of the Nigerian Army.Afrobeats merchandise
The incident may not be unconnected with the enforcement of the Obas and Chiefs Law of Ogun State, 2021 as amended, which empowers traditional rulers to be buried according to their personal religious convictions rather than the native rites.
Earlier in an interview, Senator Daniel said the Ijebu people would forever miss the paternal support of Oba Adetona whom they all regarded as the great grand father.
“Without any doubt, the situation in Ijebuland cannot be the same again because the people had been used to paternal support of the great grand father who had navigated the land successfully and the people of this community have no choice than to come together to continue from where Kabiyesi has left off,” the former governor said.
He added, “It is common knowledge that in Kabiyesi Awujale, you have a forthright personality, who can speak truth to all at a time, who can be described as fearless, who abhors people telling lies and who is very straight forward to a fault.
“Kabiyesi is not used to anybody who is diplomatic. He says it as it is. At the end of the day, in the course of that, he garnered his own detractors. People have said that he successfully won all the battles. He was strong from the beginning to the end, I guess that the testimony as to the kind of life he lived was that he was indeed a forthright personality”.
Buried Amidst Tight Security as Traditionalists Storm Venue Midway
Meanwhile, amidst tight security, the remains of the Awujale and Paramount Ruler of Ijebuland, the Late Oba Sikiru Adetona, was yesterday, interred at his Igbeba private residence according to Islamic rites.
The burial was supervised by Islamic leaders from the six South West states and Edo and Delta states.
The Late Oba Adetona died on Sunday at the age of 91 after reigning for more than 65 years on the throne.
The monarch was buried beside the grave of her late mother at an event attended by dignitaries from within and outside the state.
The security was provided by men of the Nigeria Police, Nigerian Army, Nigerian Security and Civil Defece Corps, men of the Department of State Services and men of the Ogun State Security Network, Amotekun.
Among dignitaries are the former Vice President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo, the Governor of Ogun State, Prince Dapo Abiodun, Governor of Lagos State, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the Chairman of Dangote Group of Companies, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Chief Gboyega Oyetola, who represented the President Bola Tinubu, the former Nigerian Ambassador to United Kingdom, Alhaji Sarafa Tunji Isola.
Other dignitaries at the event, include three senators that are representing the three senatorial districts in Ogun State at the National Assembly.
The senators are, Gbenga Daniel (Ogun East), Solomon Yayi (Ogun West) and Shuaibu Salisu (Ogun Central)
The tight security at the event, prevented what could have caused crisis as traditionalists (Osugbo) came into the premises where the late monarch was buried as the programme, was ongoing.
The traditionalists were led outside the gate by armed soldiers, who rose on time to the occasion.
Speaking after the interment of the late monarch, Governor Dapo Abiodun extolled the virtues of Adetona, describing him as a great philanthropist, who can do anything for his friends.
The governor, who described the late monarch as his father, saying that the monarch stood by him when he had accident in London.
He also said that Adetona stood by him in open and in secret in his journey to the Government House.
He described him as a reliable father to his people stating that in recognition of what Kabiyesi did for him as a person, on assumption of office, he awarded Ijebu-Ode -Mojoda-Epe Road in his honour.
Abiodun, who came to the burial venue from Brazil, said it would have pained him if the late Kabiyesi, was buried in his absence.
Speaking with journalists at the event, the former Governor of Ogun State, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, described the late monarch, as a fearless person, who say it as it is irrespective of whose ox is gored.
He said, “Without any doubt, the situation in Ijebuland cannot be the same again because the people had been used to paternal support of the great grand father, who had navigated the land successfully and the people of thus community has no choice than to come together to continue from where Kabiyesi has left off. We pray that God should grant repose for his soul.
“It is common knowledge that in Kabiyesi Awujale, you have a forthright personality, who can speak truth to all at a time, who can be described as fearless who abhors people telling lies and who is very straight forward.to a fault. Kabiyesi is not used to anybody who is diplomatic. He says it as it is. At the end of the day, in the course of that , he garnered his own detractors . People have said that he successfully won all the battles. He was strong from the beginning to the end I guess that the testimony as to the kind of life he lived was that he was indeed a forthright personality.”
Also speaking, the 2023 Governorship Candidate of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Hon Ladi Adebutu, said the legacy left by Adetona, will live long after his demise.
He described him as a forthright person, who speak the truth always adding that he was a custodian of culture.
Also, the second in command to the late monarch and Ogbeni Oja of Ijebuode, Olorogun Sunny Kuku, described Adetona as a revered monarch as a lover of culture who used his position to promote the town to the global world with the popular and yearly Ojude Oba Festival.
