President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Sunday honored the memories of former President Muhammadu Buhari and the Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona, eight days after their passing.
In a heartfelt message posted on his verified X account, the President reflected on the profound personal loss he experienced with their deaths.
“Last Sunday, within hours, I lost two men I held in the highest esteem: my dear predecessor, President Muhammadu Buhari, and Kabiyesi, Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona Ogbagba II, the Awujale of Ijebuland, who joined his ancestors after over 65 remarkable years on the throne,” Tinubu wrote.
The President revealed he attended the monarch’s eighth-day Fidau prayers in Ijebu-Ode, describing Oba Adetona as more than just a royal figure.
“Kabiyesi was more than a royal father to me. He was a confidante, a guide, and a man of truth whose wisdom never failed to steady those who sought it,” Tinubu said.
He praised the late monarch’s exceptional leadership, noting his six-decade reign was marked by dignity and service.
“In over six decades on the throne, he ruled with rare dignity, candour, and courage, always putting the people first with an unmistakable sense of duty,” the President added.
Tinubu acknowledged the significant void left by Oba Adetona’s passing in Nigeria’s traditional institutions, particularly in Yorubaland.
“Oba Adetona’s demise has left an enormous void within the traditional institutions in Yorubaland and Nigeria in general. His voice, leadership, and generosity will echo far beyond Ijebuland,” he stated.
The President concluded his tribute with a prayer: “May Almighty Allah grant him Aljannah Firdaus and comfort all who mourn him.”
Oba Adetona, who reigned for over 65 years, was one of Nigeria’s longest-serving and most influential traditional rulers, playing a key role in the nation’s socio-political development. His passing, coming hours after former President Buhari’s death, marked a significant moment in Nigeria’s history.
