Opinion

Awujale Adetona: A Monarch Remembered

Published

5 months ago

July 21, 2025

Eric

By Olatunde Akande

On Sunday, July 13, 2025, Nigeria, and indeed the world, bid farewell to a towering figure of tradition, principle and progressive leadership. His Royal Majesty, Alayeluwa Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona, GCON, Ogbagba II, the Awujale and Paramount Ruler of Ijebuland, passed on at the distinguished age of 91, having spent over six remarkable decades on the throne.

His death marks the end of an era, but his legacy continues to echo far beyond the confines of Ijebu Ode.

My earliest memory of him comes from my grandmother’s living room in Challenge, Ibadan, where a large coloured portrait of the Awujale and his younger brother, Chief Supo Adetona, both adorned in resplendent traditional regalia, hung prominently on the wall. My late grandmother, Chief (Mrs.) Oyindamola Juliana Adenuga, the Iya Alaje of Ijebu-Igbo and the Yeye Oba of Ijebuland, often recounted the story of her nephew’s historic ascension to the throne in 1960 at just 26 years old, a young man of promise thrust into royal responsibility at the dawn of Nigeria’s independence.

She and the Awujale’s mother, fondly known as “Mama Ijebu Ode,” were sisters, born into the illustrious Onashile family of Okesopen, Ijebu Igbo. This family connection meant that the Awujale and my late mother, Chief (Mrs.) Margaret Afolasade Akande, were first cousins.

I still recall with deep fondness the beautiful memories of travelling with him and his children on my first trip to London. We stayed at his flat on Willesden Lane, a lively hub for family and friends that later shifted to Christchurch Avenue. In the evenings, he would take us out in his swanky Jaguar to some of the finest restaurants in London. He had an unmistakable flair for good living and relished the finest cuisine. There was a regal elegance in everything he did.

Even outside the palace, Kabiyesi always turned heads. Handsome, with boyish good looks that seemed to defy time, he carried himself with quiet confidence and charm. A majestic dresser with impeccable taste, his wardrobe fused Yoruba royalty with Savile Row sophistication. He walked with the effortless grace of a king, never hurried, always composed.

Educated at Olu-Iwa College (later Adeola Odutola College) and trained as an accountant in the United Kingdom, the Awujale was a monarch shaped by a rare blend of indigenous wisdom and global exposure. He returned to Nigeria at a time when the country was transitioning from colonial rule to independence, eager, restless and brimming with possibility. From the beginning of his reign, he embodied the spirit of a new Nigeria: confident in identity, but open to modern ideas.

His progressive worldview was evident throughout his reign. Long before transparency became a buzzword in public discourse, the Awujale was a vocal advocate for accountability in traditional leadership. His public stance against corruption and his fearless candour, especially during military regimes, set him apart as a royal who could not be silenced. He spoke truth to power without fear or favour. That courage earned him respect across political and ideological divides.

Growing up, my occasional visits to Ijebu Ode during the Ileya (Eid-el-Kabir) festival felt like pilgrimages. The Awujale’s court was a colourful tapestry of Yoruba culture at its finest. Under his stewardship, the Ojude Oba Festival was transformed into a globally recognised celebration of Ijebu identity. What was once a modest homage by different age groups is today a major cultural and tourism event, attracting thousands from across the world.

The palace, during these festivals, buzzed with dignitaries, well-wishers, and extended family. I particularly cherished those visits, especially after marrying into the prestigious Fowora family of Ijebu Ode. My late father-in-law, Engineer Adeoye Fowora, shared a personal relationship with the Awujale, which further deepened my appreciation for the Ijebu cultural heritage and Kabiyesi’s pivotal role in preserving it.

Yet, beneath the grandeur, he remained a deeply relational man. His lifelong bonds with my grandmother and mother were marked by warmth, loyalty and presence. Whenever they were in London, they would often stay close to him, ensuring that family ties remained unbroken, even across oceans and decades.

He was the glue that held so many strands of our extended family together, a monarch, yes, but also an uncle, a cousin and a friend.

As we mourn, we also celebrate a life that did not merely occupy a throne but transformed it. A life of honour, conviction and public service. A reign that modernised tradition without losing its soul. In many ways, the Awujale redefined what it meant to be a traditional ruler in modern Nigeria.

In a tribute personally signed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Awujale was described as a “towering ruler who served his people with dignity, panache, class, and an unmistakable sense of duty.” The president added further: “In a time of national crisis and uncertainty, he stood firmly as a voice of reason.”

This sentiment was echoed by countless others. Tributes poured in from across the country, recognising his intellect, courage and unwavering commitment to the Ijebu people. Former Vice President Prof. Yemi Osinbajo personally attended the burial. Also in attendance were Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun, Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, Otunba Bimbo Ashiru, Chief Segun Osoba and Otunba Gbenga Daniel, to mention a few.

Indeed, President Tinubu shared a long-standing and respectful relationship with the Awujale. In February 2022, Tinubu visited Ijebu Ode to formally inform Kabiyesi of his presidential ambition. Following his electoral victory in 2023, his first visit to a traditional ruler was to the Awujale on June 29, 2023, at his private residence, where he expressed gratitude for the monarch’s unwavering support. Tinubu recounted how, during the tense moments of his campaign, he invoked what he called “the spirit of freedom” from Kabiyesi. “I invoked that spirit thrice,” he said. “Thank you for being there for me and for the country.” That visit was a poignant moment of acknowledgement, loyalty and reverence.

And so, it is befitting that President Tinubu will once again journey to Ijebu Ode on Sunday, July 20, 2025, to attend the fidau prayers marking the eighth day since the monarch’s passing. This moment of collective remembrance, by family, subjects and national leaders, reflects the breadth of Kabiyesi’s impact.

As the sun sets on an extraordinary reign, we take comfort in the knowledge that Kabiyesi’s life was not lived in vain. Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona was not only a custodian of tradition but a bold reformer who redefined the institution of kingship in Yorubaland. Throughout his reign, he stood fiercely for the interests of Ijebuland, championing development, education and cultural pride. He was the rallying voice behind the long-standing call for the creation of Ijebu State, a cause he pursued with unwavering passion, not for personal gain, but for the dignity, recognition, and prosperity of his people.

His memory will endure, not only in the festivals, institutions, and traditions he revitalised, but in the values he embodied: courage, integrity, service, and vision. May his legacy continue to guide Ijebuland and inspire a new generation of leaders who will carry forward his dreams with the same tenacity and grace.

May the soul of Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona rest in perfect peace.

Olatunde Akande is the director of Southwest Agribusiness Company (SWAgCo). He can be contacted via olatunde.akande@gmail.com

Opinion

How Dr. Fatima Ibrahim Hamza (PT, mNSP) Became Kano’s Healthcare Star and a Model for African Women in Leadership

Published

1 day ago

December 6, 2025

Eric

By Dr. Sani Sa’idu Baba

My dear country men and women, over the years, I have been opportune to watch numerous speeches delivered by outstanding women shaping the global health sector especially those within Africa. Back home, I have also listened to towering figures like Dr. Hadiza Galadanci, the renowned O&G consultant whose passion for healthcare reform continues to inspire many. Even more closer home, there is Dr. Fatima Ibrahim Hamza, my classmate and colleague. Anyone who knew her from the beginning would remember a hardworking young woman who left no stone unturned in her pursuit of excellence. Today, she stands tall as one of the most powerful illustrations of what African women in leadership can achieve when brilliance, discipline, and integrity are brought together.

Before I dwell into the main business for this week, let me make this serious confession. If you are a regular traveler within Nigeria like myself, especially in the last two years, you will agree that no state currently matches Kano in healthcare delivery and institutional sophistication. This transformation is not accidental. It is the result of a coordinated, disciplined, and visionary ecosystem of leadership enabled by Kano State Governor, Engr Abba Kabir Yusuf. From the strategic drive of the Hospitals Management Board under the meticulous leadership of Dr. Mansur Nagoda, to the policy direction and oversight provided by the Ministry of Health led by the ever committed Dr. Abubakar Labaran, and the groundbreaking reforms championed by the Kano State Primary Health Care Management Board under the highly cerebral Professor Salisu Ahmed Ibrahim, the former Private Health Institution Management Agency (PHIMA) boss, a man who embodies competence, hard work, honesty, and principle, the progress of Kano’s health sector becomes easy to understand. With such a strong leadership backbone, it is no surprise that individuals like Dr. Fatima Ibrahim Hamza is thriving and redefining what effective healthcare leadership looks like in Nigeria.

Across the world, from top medical institutions to global leadership arenas, one truth echoes unmistakably: when women lead with vision, systems transform. Their leadership is rarely about theatrics or force; it is about empathy, innovation, discipline, and a capacity to drive change from the inside out. Kano State has, in recent years, witnessed this truth firsthand through the extraordinary work of Dr. Fatima at Sheikh Muhammad Jidda General Hospital.

In less than 2 years, Dr. Fatima has emerged as a phenomenon within Kano’s healthcare landscape. As the youngest hospital director in the state, she has demonstrated a style of leadership that mirrors the excellence seen in celebrated female leaders worldwide, women who inspire not by occupying space, but by redefining it. Her performance has earned her two high level commendations. First, a recognition by the Head of Service following a rigorous independent assessment of her achievements, and more recently, a formal commendation letter from the Hospitals Management Board acknowledging her professionalism, discipline, and transformative impact.

These acknowledgements are far more than administrative gestures, they place her in the company of women leaders whose influence reshaped nations: New Zealand’s Jacinda Ardern with her empathy driven governance, Liberia’s Ellen Johnson Sirleaf with her courageous reforms, and Germany’s Angela Merkel with her disciplined, steady leadership. Dr. Fatima belongs to this esteemed lineage of women who do not wait for change, they create it.

What sets her apart is her ability to merge vision with structure, compassion with competence, and humility with bold ambition. Staff members describe her as firm yet accessible, warm yet uncompromising on standards, traits that embody the modern leadership model the world is steadily embracing. Under her stewardship, Sheikh Jidda General Hospital has transformed from a routine public facility into an institution of possibility, demonstrating what happens when a capable woman is given the opportunity to lead without constraint.

The recent commendation letter from the Hospitals Management Board captures this evolution clearly: “Dr. Fatima has strengthened administrative coordination, improved patient care, elevated professional standards, and fostered a hospital environment where excellence has become the norm rather than the exception”. These outcomes are remarkable in a system that often battles bureaucratic bottlenecks and infrastructural limitations. Her work is proof that effective leadership especially in health must be visionary, intentional, and rooted in integrity.

In a period when global discourse places increasing emphasis on the importance of women in leadership particularly in healthcare, Dr. Fatima stands as a living testament to what is possible. She has demonstrated that leadership is never about gender, but capacity, clarity of purpose, and the willingness to serve with unwavering commitment.

Her rise sends a powerful message to young girls across Nigeria and Africa: that excellence has no gender boundaries. It is a call to institutions to trust and empower competent women. And it is a reminder to society that progress accelerates when leadership is guided by competence rather than stereotypes.

As Kano continues its journey toward comprehensive healthcare reform, Dr. Fatima represents a new chapter, one where leadership is defined not by age or gender, but by impact, innovation, and measurable progress. She is, without question, one of the most compelling examples of modern African women in leadership today.

May her story continue to enlighten, inspire, and redefine what African women can, and will achieve when given the opportunity to lead.

Dr. Baba writes from Kano, and can be reached via drssbaba@yahoo.com

Opinion

Book Review: Against the Odds by Dozy Mmobuosi

Published

3 days ago

December 4, 2025

Eric

By Sola Ojewusi

Against the Odds is an ambitious, deeply personal, and unflinchingly honest memoir that traces the remarkable rise of Dozy Mmobuosi, one of Nigeria’s most dynamic and controversial entrepreneurs. In this sweeping narrative, Mmobuosi reveals not just the public milestones of his career, but the intimate struggles, internal battles, and defining moments that shaped his identity and worldview.

The book is both a personal testimony and a broader commentary on leadership, innovation, and Africa’s future—and it succeeds in balancing these worlds with surprising emotional clarity.

A Candid Portrait of Beginnings

Mmobuosi’s story begins in the bustling, unpredictable ecosystem of Lagos, where early challenges served as the furnace that forged his ambitions. The memoir details the circumstances of his upbringing, the value systems passed down from family, and the early encounters that sparked his desire to build solutions at scale.

These foundational chapters do important work: they humanize the protagonist. Readers meet a young Dozy not as a business figurehead, but as a Nigerian navigating complex social, financial, and personal realities—realities that millions of Africans will find familiar.

The Making of an Entrepreneur

As the narrative progresses, the memoir transitions into the defining phase of Mmobuosi’s business evolution. Here, he walks readers through the origins of his earliest ventures and the relentless curiosity that led him to operate across multiple industries—fintech, agri-tech, telecoms, AI, healthcare, consumer goods, and beyond.

What is striking is the pattern of calculated risk-taking. Mmobuosi positions himself as someone unafraid to venture into uncharted territory, even when the cost of failure is steep. His explanations offer readers valuable insights into:
• market intuition
• the psychology of entrepreneurship
• the sacrifices required to build at scale
• the emotional and operational toll of high-growth ventures

These passages make the book not only readable but instructive—especially for emerging

African entrepreneurs.

Triumphs, Crises, and Public Scrutiny
One of the book’s most compelling strengths is its willingness to confront controversy head-on.

Mmobuosi addresses periods of intense scrutiny, institutional pressure, and personal trials.

Instead of glossing over these chapters, he uses them to illustrate the complexities of building businesses in emerging markets and navigating public perception.

The tone is reflective rather than defensive, inviting readers to consider the thin line between innovation and misunderstanding in environments where the rules are still being written.

This vulnerability is where the memoir finds its emotional resonance.

A Vision for Africa

Beyond personal history, Against the Odds expands into a passionate manifesto for African transformation. Mmobuosi articulates a vision of a continent whose young population, natural resources, and intellectual capital position it not as a follower, but a potential leader in global innovation.

He challenges outdated narratives about Africa’s dependency, instead advocating for
homegrown technology, supply chain sovereignty, inclusive economic systems, and investment in human capital.

For development strategists, policymakers, and visionaries, these sections elevate the work from memoir to thought leadership.

The Writing: Accessible, Engaging, and Purposeful

Stylistically, the memoir is direct and approachable. Mmobuosi writes with clarity and intention, blending storytelling with reflection in a way that keeps the momentum steady. The pacing is effective: the book moves seamlessly from personal anecdotes to business lessons, from introspection to bold declarations.

Despite its business-heavy subject matter, the prose remains accessible to everyday readers.

The emotional honesty, in particular, will appeal to those who appreciate memoirs that feel lived rather than curated.

Why This Book Matters

Against the Odds arrives at a critical moment for Africa’s socioeconomic trajectory. As global attention shifts toward African innovation, the need for authentic narratives from those building within the system becomes essential.

Mmobuosi’s memoir offers:
• a case study in resilience
• an insider’s perspective on entrepreneurship in frontier markets
• a meditation on reputation, legacy, and leadership
• a rallying cry for African ambition

For readers like Sola Ojewusi, whose work intersects with media, policy, leadership, and social development, this book offers profound insight into the human stories driving Africa’s new generation of builders.

Final Verdict

Against the Odds is more than a success story—it is a layered, introspective, and timely work that captures the pressures and possibilities of modern African enterprise. It challenges stereotypes, raises important questions about leadership and impact, and ultimately delivers a narrative of persistence that audiences across the world will find relatable.

It is an essential read for anyone interested in the future of African innovation, the personal realities behind public leadership, and the enduring power of vision and resilience

Opinion

Redefining Self-leadership: Henry Ukazu As a Model

Published

4 days ago

December 3, 2025

Eric

By Abdulakeem Sodeeq SULYMAN

In a world filled with talents and unique gifts, nurturing oneself for an impact-filled living becomes one of the potent metrics for assuming how one’s life would unfold – either in the nearest or far future. I am sure the question you may be curious to ask is ‘what is the important quality that has shaped the life of every individual who has unleashed their ingenuity?’ Apparently, our society is filled with numerous people, who missed the track of their life. Their iniquity is boiled down to one thing – failure to lead oneself.

Realising how important it is to be your own leader has been the springboard for every transformative life. Notably, this also becomes the premise for appreciating and celebrating Henry Ukazu for setting the pace and modeling self-leadership in this era, where self-leadership is under-appreciated by our people. Self-leadership itself engineers purposeful and impactful living, turning individuals to sources of hope to others.

This is exactly what Henry Ukazu symbolises. The name Henry Ukazu is akin to many great things such as ‘Unleashing One’s Destiny,’ ‘Finding One’s Purpose’ and ‘Triumphant Living.’ Regardless of the impression one have formed about Henry Ukazu, one thing you cannot deny is his ability to be pure to nature and committed to his cause. Henry Ukazu is one of the rare people who still believed in the values of the human worth and has committed every penny of his to ensure that every human deserves to live the best life.

The trajectory of Henry Ukazu’s life is convincing enough to be choosing as an icon by anyone who chooses to climb the ladder of self-leadership. Oftentimes, Henry Ukazu always narrate how he faced the storms of life when birthing his purpose. He takes honour in his struggles, knowing full well that every stumbling blocks life throws at him helped in building himself. If not for self-leadership, he will not found honours in his struggles, let alone challenging himself to be an example of purposeful living to others.

Without mincing words, Henry Ukazu’s life has been blessed with the presence of many people, with some filling his life with disappointments, while some blessing him with immeasurable transformations. Surprisingly, Henry Ukazu has never chosen to be treating people negatively; rather he would only choose the path of honour by avoiding drama and let common sense prevail. That’s one of the height of simplicity!

Dear readers, do you know why today is important for celebrating Henry Ukazu? Today, 3rd December, is his birthday and with all sincerity, Henry Ukazu deserves to be celebrated because he has chosen the noble path, one filled with honours and recognitions for being an icon of inspiration and transformation to the mankind. As Henry Ukazu marks another year today, may the good Lord continue shielding him from all evils and guiding him in right directions, where posterity will feel his role and impacts!

Many happy returns, Sir!