Abeokuta, Nigeria — Hon. (Dr) Oladipupo Adebutu, the Asiwaju of Odogbolu and 2023 PDP Governorship Candidate in Ogun State, has expressed deep sorrow over the death of His Royal Majesty, Oba (Dr) Sikiru Kayode Adetona, CFR, GCON, the Awujale and Paramount Ruler of Ijebuland, who passed away on Sunday, July 13, 2025, at the age of 91.
In a statement released by Afolabi Orekoya, Director of Media for the Ladi Adebutu Development Organisation, Adebutu described the late monarch as “a towering royal figure” and “royalty in its truest, noblest form.” He praised Oba Adetona’s 65-year reign as one marked by “wisdom, courage, and an unbending commitment to truth and justice.”
Adebutu noted that “Kabiyesi was a rare blend of royalty and reform,” whose leadership modernized the traditional institution while preserving its cultural essence. He highlighted the global prominence of the Ojude Oba Festival under Oba Adetona’s reign, calling it “a colourful symbol of unity, heritage, and pride.”
Reflecting on the monarch’s influence, Adebutu said, “He was a king whose name opened doors, whose words commanded attention, and whose wisdom shaped decisions.” He described the Awujale’s passing as “an irreplaceable loss not just to Ijebuland, but to Yoruba land, Ogun State, and Nigeria.”
Oba Adetona ascended the throne in 1960 and became one of Nigeria’s longest-reigning and most respected traditional rulers B C. His death came just hours after the passing of former President Muhammadu Buhari, marking a day of double mourning for the nation.
Adebutu concluded his tribute with prayers for the repose of the monarch’s soul and a call to uphold his legacy of “courage, integrity, and royal excellence.”
