The body of the late Awujale and Paramount ruler of Ijebuland, Oba (Dr) Sikiru Kayode Adetona was on Monday afternoon, laid to rest in Ijebu Ode in accordance with Islamic rites at an event presided over by the Chief Imam of Ijebuland, Sheik Muftaudeen Ayanbadejo.
The Ijebu monarch, who joined his ancestors on Sunday evening was interred into an already prepared tomb constructed by the late Awujale himself besides his parents at the Mausoleum located within the precinct of his Ogbagba Court in Igbeba, Ijebu Ode around 6p.m. after an unexplained initial delay.
Eminent personalities, who thronged the Ijebu Ode to pay their last respect to Awujale included the former Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, Chairman of Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, as well as the governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu who joined the state governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun for the funeral rites.
Also in attendance was the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, who led a federal government delegation that included the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy to Ijebu Ode for the funeral rites of the Ijebu monarch, who transited at the age of 91.
Others included the former governors of the state, Aremo Olusegun Osoba and Otunba Gbenga Daniel; Deputy Governor of Ogun State, Engr. Noimot Salako-Oyedele; former Nigerian Ambassador to the United Kingdom, Sarafa Ishola; former Deputy Governor, Senator Gbenga Kaka, as well as the Senate Committee Chairman on Appropriations, Solomon Olamilekan Adeola among others.
Speaking after the interment of the late monarch, Governor Dapo Abiodun extolled the virtues of Adetona, describing him as a great philanthropist, who can do anything for his friends.
The governor, who described the late monarch as his father, saying that the monarch stood by him when he had accident in London.
He also said that Adetona stood by him in open and in secret in his journey to the Government House.
He described him as a reliable father to his people stating that in recognition of what Kabiyesi did for him as a person, on assumption of office, he awarded Ijebu-Ode -Mojoda-Epe Road in his honour.
Abiodun, who came to the burial venue from Brazil, said it would have pained him if the late Kabiyesi, was buried in his absence.
Also speaking, the 2023 Governorship Candidate of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Hon Ladi Adebutu, said the legacy left by Adetona, will live long after his demise.
He described him as a forthright person, who speak the truth, always adding that he was a custostodian of culture.
Speaking earlier, the former Governor of Ogun State, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, described the late monarch, as a fearless person, who say it as it is irrespective of whose ox is gored.
He said, “Without any doubt, the situation in Ijebuland cannot be the same again because the people had been used to paternal support of the great grand father, who had navigated the land successfully and the people of thus community has no choice than to come together to continue from where Kabiyesi has left off. We pray that God should grant repose for his soul.
“It is common knowledge that in Kabiyesi Awujale, you have a forthright personality, who can speak truth to all at a time, who can be described as fearless who abhors people telling lies and who is very straight forward to a fault. Kabiyesi is not used to anybody who is diplomatic. He says it as it is. At the end of the day, in the course of that , he garnered his own detractors . People have said that he successfully won all the battles. He was strong from the beginning to the end I guess that the testimony as to the kind of life he lived was that he was indeed a forthright personality.”
