Say monarch symbol of national unity, cultural preservation
The Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland, Iba Gani Adams, has mourned the Awujale and Paramount Ruler of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona, describing him as a revered figure and guiding light for the Yoruba race and the nation.

The Awujale joined his ancestors on Sunday, July 13, 2025, at the age of 91.

Adams, who commiserated with the family of the deceased traditional ruler, the government and the people of Ogun State, especially all Ijebu people at home and in the Diaspora on the loss of the icon, said the death of Oba Adetona, marked the end of a remarkable era in the annals of Yoruba history.

He said that the monarch’s reign united all Ijebu people and was marked by immeasurable progress and development for Ijebuland.

Also, Oyo State Governor, ‘Seyi Makinde, has described the death of the Awujale as the end of a glorious era.

The governor, in a condolence message made available to newsmen in Ibadan, yesterday, commiserated with the governor of Ogun State, Dapo Abiodun and residents of the state on the passage of Oba Adetona, who according to Makinde, represented the height and beauty of royal prowess.

Similarly, Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media, Yinka Oyebode, said the late Oba Adetona’s legacies would continue to remain indelible.

Oyebanji said the late Awujale oozed royalty, class, colour, dignity and honour in his lifetime but yet remained humble in his day-to-day royal duties to the benefit of his subjects.

According to him, the late Oba Adetona left legacies of service, dedication, sacrifice, humility, and preservation of the culture and tradition of his people.

The Muslim Ummah of South-West Nigeria (MUSWEN) has also described Adetona as a reformer monarch who balanced culture and tradition with Islamic values.

MUSWEN said this in a condolence message on the transition of the revered paramount ruler of Ijebuland.

The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Abimbola Akeem Owoade 1, has commiserated with the family of Adetona over the demise of the monarch.

This was contained in a condolence message signed by its Director of Media and Publicity, Bode Durojaiye.

The monarch said the late Awujale was known as “a great paramount ruler who had a futuristic vision and knew how to turn his ideas into real-world success stories.”

Oba Owoade noted that the late Awujale was reputed as a highly respectable ruler because he adhered strictly to the values and core beliefs.