In a significant ceremony held at the Oba Sikiru Adetona School of Governance, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State, President Bola Tinubu conferred the esteemed Grand Commander of Order of Nigeria (GCON) on the Awujale and paramount ruler of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Adetona.
The prestigious award was presented to recognize Oba Adetona’s immeasurable contributions to national development.
Representing the President, Vice President Kashim Shettima expressed the nation’s deep admiration for the Awujale, describing him as an extraordinary royal father and a hero of Nigeria’s democracy. Oba Adetona’s unwavering commitment to the progress of the nation, along with his courage in the face of adversity, has earned him the utmost respect and adoration across the country.
During the event, President Tinubu also announced that the National Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies, Kuru, Jos has been entrusted with the management of the Oba Sikiru Adetona School of Governance—a noble institution bequeathed to the university by the revered monarch.
The occasion was further distinguished by the presentation of a book entitled “Reinventing Governance in Nigeria: The Oba (Dr) Sikiru Kayode Adetona Model.” Additionally, a lecture titled “Changing Nigeria’s Governance Narratives” was delivered by Professor Akinsola Agagu as part of the annual Oba Sikiru Professorial Chair lecture.
Reflecting on Oba Adetona’s exemplary six-decade reign, President Tinubu remarked, “Kabiyesi Adetona deserves all the accolades we can accord him because he earned them. In the last 64 years, Kabiyesi has served the people of Ijebuland with unwavering dedication and a clear vision, resulting in the continued prosperity of his kingdom and its people.”
Tinubu also emphasized the monarch’s pivotal role in Nigeria’s struggle for democratic rule, stating, “Oba Adetona showed kingly and firm character during our fight for the restoration of democracy between 1992 and 1999. His unwavering support for the people has contributed to the blossoming of democracy in our country.”
Furthermore, Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State praised Oba Adetona as a distinguished and incorruptible monarch, dedicated to justice, fairness, and the upliftment of the nation. Abiodun commended the paramount ruler’s commitment to religious tolerance, peaceful coexistence, and philanthropy, which have endeared him to the hearts of many.
The event was graced by several prominent figures, including former President Olusegun Obasanjo and his wife, Mrs. Bola Obasanjo, Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State, Chief of Staff to the President, Rt. Hon Femi Gbajabiamila, and former Governors of Ogun State, Chief Olusegun Osoba, Sen Gbenga Daniel, and Sen Ibikunle Amosun. Their presence further accentuated the significance of the occasion.
As Oba Sikiru Adetona celebrates his 90th birthday, the nation pays tribute not only to his remarkable longevity but also to his unwavering courage, dignity, and lifetime commitment to duty and service. The conferment of the Grand Commander of Order of Nigeria (GCON) serves as a befitting recognition of his selfless contributions to the fatherland, and the entire nation rejoices with him on this momentous milestone.
