Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has joined the nation in mourning the passing of the Awujale of Ijebuland, His Royal Majesty, Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona, describing him as a monarch whose absence will be deeply felt across generations.
In a heartfelt tribute issued on Sunday, Atiku said the news of Oba Adetona’s death strikes a deeply emotional chord, noting that though the revered king passed at a ripe and fulfilled age, the weight of the loss remains heavy for the people of Ijebuland, Ogun State, and Nigeria as a whole.
“Oba Adetona was not just a traditional ruler; he was a monarch of rare courage, dignity, and divine grace—a beacon of wisdom and fortitude whose reign was defined by fearless integrity and unwavering service,” Atiku said.
He described the late Awujale as a cultural custodian and moral force, who stood firm in truth while upholding the values of tradition and the dignity of his people.
“Nigeria has lost a royal colossus, a voice of conscience, and a shining symbol of Black excellence on the global stage. His counsel, candour, and convictions shaped discourse far beyond the palace walls. He was a king who spoke truth to power, yet never lost his reverence for tradition or his people,” Atiku noted.
Oba Sikiru Adetona, who ascended the throne in 1960, reigned for over six decades, becoming Nigeria’s longest-serving monarch. His reign transformed Ijebuland into a centre of cultural renaissance and economic growth, with the Ojude Oba festival gaining international recognition under his leadership.
“I join the great people of Ijebuland in mourning the transition of this irreplaceable king,” Atiku continued. “His absence will be deeply felt across generations.”
Atiku also extended his condolences to the government and people of Ogun State, describing the monarch as a towering figure and enduring cultural icon.
“May the Almighty grant the immediate family the strength to bear this irreparable loss, and may He accept Oba Adetona’s noble soul into eternal rest among the righteous,” he prayed.
