Senator Otunba Gbenga Daniel, FNSE, FAEng., FNIMechE, Otunba Obalofin of Ìjèbú land, has expressed deep grief over the passing of His Royal Majesty, Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona, GCON, Ogbagba II, the Awujale of Ijebuland.
In a statement released on his official Twitter account, the former Ogun State Governor and current Senator representing Ogun East described the monarch’s death as a profound personal loss, reflecting on their close relationship spanning many years.
“I received the news of the passing of our highly revered monarch, His Royal Majesty, Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona, GCON Ogbagba II, the Awujale of Ijebuland, with great sadness and a profound sense of loss,” Senator Daniel stated. “His death was a personal loss to me because we shared a great deal of confidence and close relationships.”
The distinguished senator, who holds the title of Otunba Obalofin of Ìjèbú land in the Royal Court of the Awujale of Ijebuland, described the late monarch as more than just a traditional ruler but a father figure to many in Ijebu land.
“Kabiyesi, was not just our traditional ruler in Ìjèbú land, but a father figure to many of us. His life exemplified the true core values of what the whole of Ijebu people represent; he was the moral compass of integrity, courage and wisdom,” Daniel noted.
The senator emphasised that the late Awujale symbolised the full essence of Ijebu culture and traditional values, serving as a beacon of progress and enterprise throughout his remarkable 65-year reign on the throne.
“In his 65 years on the throne, Kabiyesi became the symbol and identity of progress, resourcefulness and enterprise, earning the sobriquet as ‘Orisa Ijebu’, an apotheosis of a god with spiritual authority and a dispenser of prosperity,” the statement read.
I received the news of the passing of our highly reverred monarch, His Royal Majesty, Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona, GCON Ogbagba II, the Awujale of with great sadness and profound sense of loss.
His death was a personal loss to me because we shared a great deal of confidence and… pic.twitter.com/g6rH5L34AU
Senator Daniel described the monarch’s passing as marking “a significant closure of an exciting era and the reopening of a new chapter in the history of Ìjèbú and Yoruba land in general.”
In his condolence message, the senator extended heartfelt commiseration to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, whom he described as “a personal friend and alter ego of Kabiyesi Awujale Adetona,” as well as to Ogun State Governor Prince Dapo Abiodun, the people of Ogun State, and particularly all sons and daughters of Ìjèbú land both at home and in the diaspora.
The former governor also extended condolences to the Olorituns, the Council of Otunbas and Chiefs, and the immediate families of the late monarch.
Despite the grief, Senator Daniel expressed comfort in the belief that the late Awujale had “transitioned into the eternal realm of immortality and spirituality where he will forever superintend over the affairs of Akile Ijebu and its prosperity.”
The statement concluded with prayers for divine guidance and comfort for the earthly family of the deceased monarch as they cope with what he described as the “spiritual ascension to the world of saints.”
Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona’s 65-year reign as the Awujale of Ijebuland made him one of the longest-serving traditional rulers in Nigeria, earning him widespread respect and the honorary title “Orisa Ijebu” among his people.
Seunmanuel Faleye is a brand and communications strategist. He is a covert writer and an overt creative head. He publishes Apple’s Bite International Magazine.
