If the octogenarian royal father broke into a hip, youthful dance, he should be cheered on. Another of his subjects is making him proud. Perhaps after Dr Mike Ishola Adenuga, the billionaire Chairman of Globacom, a proud Ijebu son who has touched his life in so many ways, no other indigene in recent time has made the Awujale as blithely excited as Prince Dapo Abiodun, the Governor of Ogun State.
Oba Sikiru Adetona, the Awujale of Ijebuland, is celebrating his 60th year anniversary on the throne today . His has been a storied and sensational life. Enthroned at 26 when Nigeria was not yet an independent nation, he has spent the last 60 years of his life in the service of his beloved Ijebuland. Nimble on his feet and blessed with a robust and radiant visage that belies his eight decades on terra firma.
JOURNEY TO THE THRONE
The Awujale’s journey to the throne of his forbears was fortuitous. Born May 10, 1934 into the Anikinaiya 1 Ogbagba Royal Family of Ijebu Ode, his mother, Alhaja Ajibabi Adetona (nee Onashile) hailed from two famous and illustrious families in Ijebu-Igbo, the Onashile and Aagebelesona families, a factor that would significantly help the Awujale decades later to bridge the gap between Ijebu-Ode and Ijebu-Igbo. Like every other kid his age, the young Prince Adetona was enrolled for his elementary education at Baptist School, Ereko, Ijebu-Ode but he didn’t finish there.
He proceeded to Ogbere United Primary School, Oke Agbo, Ijebu-Igbo and later, Baptist School, Ijebu-Ode. All this was between 1943 and 1950. For his secondary education, he attended Olu-Iwa College (Now Adeola Odutola College), Ijebu-Ode from 1951 to 1956. After his secondary education, he was employed in the Audit Department of the Western Region of Nigeria between 1957 and 1958 but resigned in 1958 to pursue further studies in Accountancy in the United Kingdom. He stayed back in the UK where he thought that he would build a home and a career.
But fate had other things in stock for him. The then Awujale, Oba Daniel Robertson Adesanya Gbelwguwa ll died in January 1959. Tradition does not allow for prolonged interregnum as it were and the process of getting another Awujale began. Though his father, Omoba Rufai Adetona was very much alive and eligible for the throne, he was deemed an illiterate and therefore passed the honour to his son who was away in the UK. Prince Adetona was brought back home and installed as the new Awujale in January 1960. The Kingship also came with membership of the Western Region executive council among other appurtenances. He has spent the last 60 years on the throne, making him arguably, the longest serving First Class monarch in Nigeria.
THE CHALLENGES OF A 26-YEAR-OLD AWUJALE
Being thrust to the centre stage of power, tradition and culture comes with its trepidation and angst for a young man. And it was no different for the new Awujale. Speaking on how he coped with the rigours of traditional rulership especially of a cosmopolitan town like Ijebuland at 26, the Awujale said, “Age is one thing. Office is another. For instance, if you put a man of 10 years as the President of Nigeria, automatically, he becomes our father. That is office. But then, what he does there now depends on how intelligent he is. That will reflect in his performance.
The office is intact and held in high esteem. Again, if you appoint a 20-year-old as Governor of Ogun and a 90-year-old as Governor of Zamfara, when they meet, it is Governor versus Governor. That is office for you. Respect begets respect. So, there was no problem then in my own situation because importantly, I had so many people around me as advisers. Don’t forget that it is a privilege if you are called upon to serve your people. It is a special thing in that situation, all you need is to pray to God because He must have directed all those who are inviting you. It is now God that will assist you to be able to manage the position.”
Aside his people, the position of Awujale requires constant interface with older and more powerful and established traditional rulers. That was the lot of the young Awujale as he had for company the late Oba Adesoji Aderemi I, the Ooni of Ife, who was known to be a powerful political figure having served as President of the Western House of Chiefs and Legislative Council of Nigeria and Governor of the Western Region among other Obas in the Western Region Council of Obas.
Asked if he was not intimidated by their age and status, the Awujale shook his head, saying, “There was nothing like intimidation. Despite the age difference, we had a very cordial relationship. But more importantly, I also got useful advice from Ijebu chiefs who were also elders. But remember, Ijebu will never settle for an Awujale who is not intelligent.”
MESSAGE FROM HIS EXCELLENCY…
Have you seen a king so honourable that even constitutional authorities revere him? Not many!
Your Imperial Majesty is an iconic Monarch, blessed with native intelligence, integrity and divine poise to reign long on the cathedra of your forbears.
Today, marks your 60th year on the throne and not once did Akilè Ìjèbú have cause to regret your choice. You are a great asset and your candour, courtliness, courage, magnanimity, valour, nobility, gait and exemplary leadership are hallmarks of the stool of Awùjalè and a reference for traditional Monarchy in the Country.
You combined community development with statecraft to make Ijebuland second to none in your 60 years of reign.
We are proud of your legacies. Our prayer is for the Almighty Elédùmarè to preserve our Òrìsà Ìjèbú for greater heights.
Kábíyèsí, k’adé pé l’órí. Kí bàtà pé l’ésè. Igba odún, odún kan ni.
Long may your Majesty reign!
