The Senate has paid tribute to the late Awujale and Paramount Ruler of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Adetona, who recently passed on at the age of 91. The motion, sponsored by Senator Gbenga Daniel (Ogun East), celebrated the monarch as an iconic presence in the country’s traditional, cultural, and political spheres.
Hailing the late king’s legacy, former Ogun State Governor Gbenga Daniel described him as a “symbol of unity, progress, and wisdom—not only in Ijebuland and Yorubaland but across Nigeria and the world.”
According to him, Oba Adetona deserves everlasting praise for transforming the Ojude Oba festival from what it used to be into the international cultural and tourism event that is consistently attracting global attention in recent times.
Gbenga Daniel further highlighted the late monarch’s philanthropic efforts, including a poverty alleviation fund that increased from ₦500,000 to more than ₦100m, benefiting thousands of Nigerians.
He concluded by saying that the Awujale’s passion for leadership and learning led to a ₦1bn endowment for a professional chair in governance at Olabisi Onabanjo University.
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Also speaking, Senator Olamilekan Adeola (Ogun West) reflected on Oba Adetona’s exemplary commitment to Islam, stressing that he was widely revered as a leading Islamic figure in Southern Nigeria.
“He was born, lived, and was buried as a Muslim.
His uprightness, sincerity, and fearless truth-telling on national matters were never in doubt.
He was a revered king, a father figure, and a pillar of truth and justice,” he added.
