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Why He & The New ORIMOLUSI Are Close
Do you know that the Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Adetona has strong links with the ancient town of Ijebu Igbo? Not many people know that Oba Sikiru Adetona is a true Ijebu Monarch who other monarchs defer to.
Only few know that he has family links with Ijebu-Igbo, though he is from Ijebu-Ode.
It was the recent historic visit of the Awujale to Ijebu-Igbo that made many to start wondering how close Kabiyesi is to Ijebu-Igbo.
Sunday 25th, August, 2024, will be remembered as a historic day in Ijebu Igbo, as HRM Oba Alaiyeluwa S.K. Adetona, the Awujale and Paramount Ruler of Ijebuland, made a triumphant entry into his maternal home, amidst jubilation and celebration.
The occasion marked the official turbaning and installation ceremony of Alhaji Qasim Adebayo Badejo as the Chief Imam of Ijebu Igbo kingdom, ushering in a new era of spiritual leadership and growth.
On the visit Oba SK Adetòna’s generous blessings of the following: Brand-new car for the Chief Imam, symbolizing new leadership and mobility, promise of a luxurious house befitting the Chief Imam’s status, 10 million to Ijebu Igbo Alasalatu, 10 million to Oloris Obas, honoring the wives of the revered monarchs, 10 million to the League of Imams, fostering unity and spiritual growth and 25 million to the 25 Obas who attended, demonstrating Oba Awujale’s fatherly role to the Obas.
Other prominent dignitaries’ donations included: (a) Governor of Ogun State (represented by Mr. Tokunbo Talabi, SSG), (b) Aşíwájú Senator Lékan Mustapha “CON”, (c) Otunba Rówŕiyé (donated a car for the Chief Imam).
There was also the renowned Architect and philanthropist’s pledge. This include ‘Dayo Ayodeji, who promised to design a new Eid praying ground. There was also Otunba Jimi Lawal who pledged to undertake expenses for building the new Eid ground.
What made many people know that Kabiyeesi Awujale has close links with Ijebu was the closeness of Oba Lawrence Adebajo the new Orimolusi to Oba Adetona. So close are the 2 royal fathers that the Orimolusi never misses any major event at Awujale’s palace.
City People can also reveal that the Awujale likes the Orimolusi, who he sees an Omoluabi.
The Orimolusi also loves and respects the Awujale who he sees as a big father not only to him, but to all Ijebu kings.
Lets tell you a lot more about Awujale’s historic links to Ijebu-Igbo.
He was born on 10th May, 1934 as Prince Sikiru Olukayode Adetona to the Anikinaiya 1 Ogbagba Royal Family of Ijebu Ode. His father was Prince Rufai Adetona, whilst his mother was Alhaja Ajibabi Adetona (nee Onashile).
Not many people know that Kabiyeesi’s mother hailed from Ijebu-Igbo. That is the historic link.
Young Prince Adetona, variously attended Baptist School, Ereko, Ijebu Ode; Ogbere United Primary School, Oke Agbo, Ijebu Igbo; and Ansar-Ud-Deen School, Ijebu Ode between 1943 and 1950. For his secondary education, he was at Olu-Iwa (now Adeola Odutola) College, Ijebu Ode from 1951 to 1956. Between 1957 and 1958 he took up appointment with the then Audit Department of the Western Region, Ibadan. The charming prince resigned his appointment in 1958 to pursue further studies in Accountancy in the United Kingdom.
Destined to be an Oba, Prince Sikiru Kayode Adetona was far away in the United Kingdom in pursuit of a professional career when the Anikinaiya Ruling house from which he descended invited him home to ascend the throne of his ancestors following the demise of Oba Daniel Robertson Adesanya Gbelegbuwa II in January 1959.
As it then became the turn of the Anikilaiya Ruling house, one of the 4 Awujale royal families to present the new Awujale, a number of candidates emerged for consideration in conformity with Ijebu tradition (the Abidagba tradition) by which only son/sons born while Oba was on the throne that are eligible. At that point in time, there were only 2 surviving Abidagbas, one of whom was Omoba Rufai Adetona, father of the present Awujale. Unfortunately, both wee illiterate and therefore unsuitable for modern Ijebu. In the circumstance, tradition had to be modified to suit dictates of modern times. Consequently the young Prince Sikiru Kayode Adetona was nominated by his father, following which he was invited home to be the next Awujale of Ijebuland.
By a letter dated January 4, 1960 referenced CB. 4 1/333, the Permanent Secretary in the Western Region Ministry of Local Government conveyed to the Local Government Adviser in Ijebu Ode approval of the Western Region Governor in Council, the appointment of Prince Sikiru Kayode Adetona as the Awujale of Ijebuland with effect from that date (January 4, 1960). It became the lot of Ijebu notables like the late Ogeni-Oja, Chief (Dr.) Timothy Adeola Odutola, Bobasuwa, Chief Okunowo; and Asiwaju, Chief Samuel Olatunbosun Shonibare to arrange for the home coming of the King-elect. On January 18, 1960, the Head of the Ijebu Ode Regency Council, the Ogbeni-Oja, Chief Timothy Adeola Odutola formally presented the new traditional ruler to the whole world. This presentation, which was a novelty, signaled the commencement of the installation ceremonies of the king-elect. It was indeed, a new dawn in the annals of Ijebu people. The king-elect thereafter, proceeded to undergo the traditional seclusion at the Odo for 3 months.
Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona, who had earlier been nominated along with 5 others by the ODIS was unanimously selected by the King makers in conformity with Section 11 of the Chiefs Law of 1957 applicable in Western Region. The then Governor signed the Instrument of Office approving Prince Sikiru Kayode Adetona as Awujale of Ijebuland. The formal coronation took place on Saturday, April 2, 1960.
On Tuesday, April 5, 1960 the newly crowned Oba Adetona, took his seat as a Member of the Western Region House of Chiefs, after a formal introduction. So charming and captivating was Oba Adetona, that some Obas and Chiefs nominated him for the Presidency of the House of Chiefs, albeit, an older Oba, late Sir Adesoji Aderemi, the Ooni of Ife was subsequently elected the President. The thought here was that early as a monarch, the 26 year old Awujale was a fit and proper king for the exalted position. No doubt, this consideration was an admission of the uniqueness of the Awujale of Ijebuland.
Oba Sikiru Adetona has a rich Ijebu pedigree. He was born into the Anikinaiya Royal Family of Ijebu-Ode on May 10, 1934 and had his elementary education between 1943 and 1950 at Baptist School, Eroko, Ijebu-Ode; Ogbere United Primary School, Oke Agbo, Ijebu-Igbo and Ansar-Ud-Deen school, Ijebu-Ode.
The fact that the mother of the young prince hailed from 2 famous and illustrious families in Ijebu-Igbo, the Onashile and Agbelesona families, significantly helped in later years to bridge the gap between Ijebu-Ode and Ijebu-Igbo. Prince Adetona has his secondary education at Olu-Iwa College (now Adeola Odutola College) Ijebu-Ode from 1951 to 1956 when he left to take up an appointment with Audit department of Western Region of Nigeria between 1957 to 1958. He resigned in 1958 to pursue further studies in accountancy in the United Kingdom. He is an associate member of the corporation of secretaries (ACCS) now (ACIS) under the merger arrangement between the two bodies’ corporation of secretaries and chartered secretaries.
The Government of Western Nigeria approved his appointment as Awujale and paramount Ruler of Ijebuland on January 4 1960. A fortnight later he was formally presented to the Ijebu people by the Awujale Regency Council, headed by late Ogbeni-Oja, Chief T.A. Odutola. Then followed by the installation rituals and ceremony starting with the “ILETE” and the journey to ODO for three months seclusion. The return trip to Ijebu-Ode was very exciting and eventful with its many rituals and traditional observances. However, preparations for the coronation began in the earnest and on Saturday April, 2nd 1960.
The new Awujale was crowned at “OJU OSI in ITORO and in the presence of all Ijebu Obas, Otunbas, Chiefs, member of the Awujale Regency Council, the Ijebu Community at home and abroad and invited guest from far and near.
His instrument of appointment was formally presented to him at the impressive ceremony by the then Premier of Western Nigeria, late chief Samuel Ladoke Akintola. Three days later, the new Awujale took his seat from Western House of Chiefs at Ibadan.
Thereafter Oba Adetona was appointed a Minister and Member of the Western Region Executive council, a post he held until the declaration of a state of emergency in May 1962. He also served as Commissioner during period of 6 month under Administrator Chief (Dr) Olikoye Majekodunmi.
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