By Eric Elezuo
The town of Ijebu Ode witnessed yet another surge of impressive activities as dignitaries from across the Yoruba race and beyond including technocrats, stormed the town for the 40th day fidau prayers in honour of the late paramount ruler of Ijebuland, HRM Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona GCON, the Awujale of Ijebuland.
The Awujale passed on to the great beyond on July 13, 2025, and was buried shortly after according to Islamic rites.
Leading the avalanche of dignitaries and mourners at the event were former President Olusegun Obasanjo and the governor of Ogun State, Mr Dapo Abiodun. The apparachik of the Ogun State government, alongside family members, led by Prince Adedire Adetona, traditional institutions, and well-wishers were conspicuously represented.
Also in attendance were the former governor of Ogun State, Chief Segun Osoba, Dr. Taiwo Afolabi, Chief Adegunwa and many others.
Describing the personality of the Awujale and the importance of the day, Governor Abiodun took to his social media handle to express as follows; “Today, we joined the family members, stakeholders, friends, and well-wishers of our late father and revered monarch, His Royal Majesty, Oba (Dr.) Sikiru Kayode Adetona, GCON, Ogbagba Agbotewole II, Awujale and Paramount Ruler of Ijebuland, to observe the 40th Day Fidau Prayer in his honour.
“We remember with deep respect the remarkable life he lived, his steadfast commitment to the cultural heritage of the Ijebu people, and his unparalleled contributions to the growth and development of Ogun State and Nigeria as a whole. Truly, his reign remains a shining example of wisdom, dignity, and selfless leadership.
“We pray for the eternal repose of his soul and ask Almighty Allah to grant him Aljannah Firdaus. We also pray for strength and comfort for his immediate family, the good people of Ijebuland, and indeed the entire Ogun State as we uphold his legacy of unity, peace, and progress.”
In his speech at the event, Abiodun appreciated President Bola Tinubu for attending the 8-day prayers in person a few weeks ago, and for honoring the late Awujale with the GCON honours during his last birthday.
He also described the Awujale as a phenomenon, who besthrode the traditional institution like a colossus, giving his best to his people for 65 good years, and noting that ‘his legacies will inspire generations to come’.
“He continued to foster peaceful coexistence among all of us in Ijebuland. He was a philanthropist of immeasurable generosity, a mentor to many and a custodian of the enduring candour and dignity of the ancestral heritage of Ijebuland,” Abiodun said.
The prayer was marked by tributes that spoke volumes and reflected the late monarch’s enduring impact on Ijebuland, Ogun State, and to the Nigerian nation.
Speaker after speaker, mourners and dignitaries remembered the Awujale as a revered leader who embodied wisdom, dignity, and an unwavering commitment to the cultural heritage of the Ijebu people.
He was further acknowledged as one whose 65 years on the throne was widely seen as a period of peace, unity, and progress for the Ijebuland kingdom and beyond.
Prayers were offered for his eternal rest in Aljannah Firdaus, while sympathies were extended to his family and the entire Ijebu community. The Ogun State Government reaffirmed its resolve to sustain his legacy of cultural pride, leadership excellence, and service to humanity.
The event, which showcased colours, pomp and radiance, a typical example of a mini Ojude Oba carnival, was a testament of how much the community and the state appreciate the efforts of their departed royal father.
Photos: Koya Adegbite
