Former Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Olabode George, has paid a tribute to the late Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona, who passed away on July 13, 2025.

George, in a statement on Monday, described the monarch as a “formidable leader” who protected and projected the image of the Ijebu people both at home and abroad.

George, who served as Military Governor of old Ondo State, recalled his personal experience with the late monarch, dating back to his coronation in 1960.

He narrated how, as a student at Ijebu-Ode Grammar School, he and his classmates lined up along the road leading to Itoro Hall to witness the coronation of the 26-year-old Prince.

George described Oba Adetona as a father figure who displayed humility, dignity, and class in his interactions with his subjects, governments, and people in the Diaspora.

The former PDP stalwart praised Oba Adetona’s creativity and dynamism, which made the annual Ojude-Oba event a reference point for others.

He also recalled the monarch’s ability to build connections and resolve issues, citing an instance where former President Olusegun Obasanjo had to intervene in a matter between Oba Adetona and the late Governor Olabisi Onabanjo.

George described Oba Adetona’s six-and-a-half-decade reign as a remarkable achievement and prayed that God would grant him eternal repose and comfort his family and the Ijebu people worldwide.

George described Oba Adetona’s death as a “huge loss” and noted that his legacy would continue to remain indelible.

He said: “I was in Form 1 at Ijebu-Ode Grammar School, Ijebu-Ode in 1960 when the 26-year-old Prince returned to Nigeria to be crowned as the Awujale of Ijebuland. With my classmates, we lined up along the road leading to Itoro Hall, where the coronation took place.

“From that day in 1960 to July 13, 2025, when he joined his ancestors, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona, displayed humility, flamboyance, panache, royalty, dignity, class, honour, colour, energetic style and boldness in his interaction with his subjects, governments and people in the Diaspora.

“When I was appointed as military governor of old Ondo State by General Ibrahim Babangida and I met Kabiyesi, I narrated how, as small school boys, we lined up the road to Itoro Hall for his coronation. He burst out laughing. Till he died, Oba Adetona was a father figure to me.”