A very boyish accountancy student in London was surprisingly chosen in 1960 as the Awujale of Ijebuland. Oba (Dr.) Sikiru Kayode Adetona has since evolved into a much revered and greatly loved figure. TEMITOPE DAVID-ADEGBOYE takes a look at a pivotal figure at 80…
Oba (Dr.) Sikiru Kayode Adetona
The avuncular, Oba Adetona did not beg to become a king; neither did he lobby for the position. On the contrary, he has the aura of one who was born to rule. This is why when it was time for him to ascend the throne of his ancestors, he was simply summoned to take up that role and for 54 years, he has done so with aplomb.
Celebrating 54 years on the revered throne, as well as his 80th birthday, Oba (Dr) Sikiru Kayode Adetona, CFR, Ogbagba ll, the Awujale of Ijebuland has matured into not just a colossus, but also a frontline traditional ruler.
Sikiru Kayode Adetona was born to the Anikinaiya 1 Ogbagba Royal family of Ijebu Ode on May 10, 1934. His father was Prince Rufai Adetona, whilst his mother was Alhaja Ajibabi Adetona (née Onashile). His mother hailed from Ijebu Igbo.
The young Prince Adetona, attended Baptist School, Ereko, Ijebu Ode; Ogbere United Primary School, Oke Agbo, Ijebu Igbo; and Ansar-Ud-Deen School, Ijebu Ode between 1943 and 1950. For his secondary education, he was at Olu-Iwa (now Adeola Odutola) College, Ijebu Ode from 1951 to 1956. Between 1957 and 1958 he took up appointment with the then Audit Department of the Western Region, Ibadan. The prince resigned his appointment in 1958 to pursue further studies in accountancy in the United Kingdom.
Then out of the blues, by a letter dated January 4, 1960 referenced CB. 4 1/333, the Permanent Secretary in the Western Region Ministry of Local Government conveyed to the Local Government Adviser in Ijebu Ode approval of the Western Region Governor in Council, the appointment of Prince Sikiru Kayode Adetona as the Awujale of Ijebuland with effect from that date (January 4, 1960). It became the lot of Ijebu notables like the late Ogbeni-Oja, Chief (Dr.) Timothy Adeola Odutola to arrange for the home-coming of the King-elect. On January 18, 1960, the Head of the Ijebu Ode Regency Council, the Ogbeni-Oja, Chief Timothy Adeola Odutola formally presented the new traditional ruler to the whole world. This presentation, which was a novelty, signaled the commencement of the installation ceremonies of the king-elect.
The formal coronation took place on Saturday, April 2, 1960.
On Tuesday, April 5, 1960 newly crowned Oba Adetona, took his seat as a member of the Western Region House of Chiefs, after a formal introduction. Oba Adetona was a charismatic Prince, and some Obas and Chiefs nominated him for the presidency of the House of Chiefs. However, an older and traditionally more senior Oba, late Sir Adesoji Aderemi, Ooni of Ife was subsequently elected the President.
Creation of Ijebu state
His devotion to the Ijebu people cause has been unwavering. Uppermost in his mind and that of his subjects since 1975, is the creation of Ijebu state. The Awujale remains optimistic that this aspiration will be realised in his lifetime.
“I am very optimistic that we will achieve it. Don’t forget that Nigeria during the colonial days consisted of 24 provinces. Ijebu was one of them. If by that time Ijebu was good enough to be one of the units out of the 24, now that we have 36 states and Abuja; and you are saying it’s not fit to be a state, that would be wrong. The fact is that Ijebu is a viable state. We are very optimistic that we will achieve it.”
Of course, there have been challenges. “I cannot even remember if I had any challenge even though I faced quite a lot. However, it’s been many years, so I’ve forgotten many of them. But no matter the situation you are, you are bound to face challenges. It is a normal trend of life.”
When he ascended the throne, traditional rulers were more revered. But this has been watered down by activities of colonial masters, politicians and conflicts in the country. However, Oba Adetona believes traditional rulers are beginning to take their due role now. He remains an unrepentant monarchist.
“In those days, it was the system of government of the people. It is quite different now. We are on the periphery. These change started during the colonial era. There has been quite a lot of changes in the position and role of the traditional ruler. But that notwithstanding, it is a strong part of our life because that’s our culture. If you remove the traditional ruler from our system, it would be different. That is why it is still in existence today.
However, you must understand that often you get conflicts between the head and the stomach. So, it’s not new that sometimes, things may not be too rosy between them.”
He would like to see politicians to be friendlier with the monarchs because the people listen to them more.
The “Diya Coup”
His intervention in the national firmament at a critical juncture was decisive. He was one of the few Obas that former Head of State, Gen. Sanni Abacha invited to view a video during the Diya coup saga. It is still intriguing to ponder about what really happened.
He recounts the experience:
“I went with two or three people. The meeting was attended by all the military administrators then and I was the only Oba with them. Abdusalami was the one that presided over the meeting. We were then briefed and showed some clips. It was a lot of embarrassment for me because that day, the reception that was accorded me was that I was being hosted. So they wanted me to comment. I looked at the whole thing and with the realisation that anybody can manipulate video with technology, I started by telling them to go and pray for God’s guidance before they do anything. Apparently they couldn’t get the answer they wanted from me from the look of their faces. That was how we left the place.
“After that, we went straight to see Abacha and he told me stories of how friendly he was to Diya and he was surprised that Diya was part of a coup to depose him. He then told us about Adisa also; how close he was to him and how many times he invited him over believing that he Adisa would open up to him about what was happening. But he said nothing. That was the story.
“I then advised him to think twice and that it would be wrong of me to ask him to go and kill Diya. I can never say that. I pleaded with him to tread cautiously. That was how it ended.
“On that occasion, I also raised the issue of him giving us Ijebu state. I told him that in God’s own time, we would get it. He also took the opportunity to tell me that it was Diya who was against the creation of Ijebu state as he was insisting that the capital of the state should be at Odogbolu while he (Abacha) refused because he thought the capital should be in Ijebu Ode. Because Diya insisted, that was why they gave it to Ekiti.”
Oba Adetona believes that though culture is dynamic, however, those practices that promote peace and harmony must be encouraged. He chided those who do not marry the Ijebus for one reason or the other adding that it is inferiority complex that have prevented those people from getting close.
So what is it like to be 80?
“Well, at 80, I am no longer a guy,” he stated. However, if I look back, I’ve got cause to thank Him. At a stage, I had heart problem. In 2012, I fell and broke my ankle. But for the grace of God, I may have gone. When I returned from the hospital, my age grade members came to visit me. I noticed that most of them were even worse than me because age has taken its toll on them. This is how things turn out. So, you can’t guarantee any position you are, it is only God that can do that.”
On Corruption
His discomfiture with Nigeria’s all pervasive corruption is unhidden. His last word on the matter is:
“When you talk about corruption, you only believe it is when you give money that is when you are corrupt. But when you do injustice it is corruption. If you see a bad story and you don’t write it because I didn’t give you money, it is corruption. When you take money before you vote, you are corrupt. There is corruption in everyday of our lives and we have to be very careful. The country is rich and blessed. Therefore, we must pray to God for help. Not until we have done that, we cannot go beyond where we are today. I’ve once spoken against it. Our electorate is collecting money before they vote. It is wrong. Corruption is the greatest problem we have in our country and that is why we are not making any headway. Substantially, it is the leaders that are corrupt. Obas are not exempted. It is so endemic and pervasive that not until we do something about it, this country will grow.”