There was mild tension on Monday as soldiers prevented traditionalists, believed to be members of the Osugbo cult, from taking over the funeral rites of the late Awujale of Ijebu land, Oba Sikiru Adetona.
The cult members, whose presence at the venue sparked apprehension, were escorted out of the monarch’s private residence by security personnel after people around began shouting at them.
The late monarch, who passed on Sunday, July 13, 2025, at the age of 91, was buried according to Islamic rites at his private residence in Ijebu Ode around 6 p.m., beside his late father and mother, in what appeared to be a family mausoleum.
The interment was preceded by Islamic prayers led by the Chief Imam of Ijebu land, Sheikh Muftaudeen Ayanbadejo.
Recall that the Oba and Chiefs Law of 2021 in Ogun State permits traditional rulers to be buried according to their religious belief. Traditionalists, however, rejected this amendment, insisting that monarchs must be buried according to ancient rites to preserve tradition.
It was gathered that the Osugbo cult members stormed the premises to take charge of the burial rites, reportedly angered by the fact that the late monarch was instrumental to the amendment of the law. Their mission was, however, swiftly thwarted by the military.
Dignitaries at the burial ceremony included the immediate-past Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo (SAN); Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State; Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu; Ogun State Deputy Governor, Mrs Noimot Salako-Oyedele; Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Oluwadaisi Elemide; former governors, Segun Osoba and Gbenga Daniel; and Senator Adegbenga Kaka.
Also in attendance were the Chairman of Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote; wife of the Ogun State Governor, Mrs Bamidele Abiodun; Senator Solomon Adeola (Ogun West); and Senator Salisu Shuaib (Ogun Central), among others.
Speaking at the event, Governor Abiodun said, “The reign of Oba Adetona was not only marked by longevity but by his towering wisdom, deep influence, enduring legacy of generosity, selflessness, progress and uncommon peace.”
The governor described the late monarch as not only the pride of Ijebu land but a national icon who served Nigeria with distinction for 65 years.
He said, “Kabiyesi was a bundle of intellect, he was principled, he was forthright, he was a philosopher, a social engineer, a transparent and incorruptible monarch and equitable judgement with a solid commitment to the Nigerian state.”
Abiodun added that he would miss Oba Adetona’s wise counsel, particularly recalling how the monarch stood by him despite stiff opposition during his 2019 election bid.
He said though the royal father might have taken his bow after a very defining rule that brought so much development to Ijebu land and the country at large, his legacy of selfless service and love for the people would continue to serve as a guide to the generation coming behind.
Dangote also paid glowing tribute to the late monarch, praising his people-first leadership regardless of ethnic background. He described the Awujale as “a man of influence and a leader who prioritised service to the people,” and said his contributions to national development were “invaluable and worthy of emulation.”
The Ogbeni Oja of Ijebu land, Sunny Kuku, who will serve as regent until a new Awujale is appointed, said, “Essentially, our Kabiyesi was a man of integrity, a man who spoke his mind, a man who had so much wisdom.
“He was devoted to education. In terms of poverty reduction, he really used his resources and throne to fight poverty in society and empower the people.
“He was a worthy ambassador of culture. He turned Ojude Oba into a global event and that has really impacted the economic fortune of Ijebu land. He was one man that could be trusted to defend the poor.
“He did not just love the people of Ijebu land, he loved the country and when the nation was in turmoil, he took the right step, he spoke his mind. We are missing him already.”
Similarly, the 2023 governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in Ogun State, Ladi Adebutu, hailed the deceased monarch’s rare leadership qualities of pure love and service to humanity.
Adebutu said Nigerians must imbibe Awujale’s qualitative leadership qualities and devotion to engineering socio-economic and sociocultural development which were tailored towards building a better life for the people.
Daniel hailed the forthright leadership of the late Awujale, describing him as a fearless monarch who never shied from speaking truth to power.
Daniel equally stated that one of the best ways to honour the late royal father who reigned for 65 years was to ensure the actualisation of the creation of a new state out of the old Ijebu Province because it was one of the long-cherished dreams of the late monarch.
Daniel said “I think it is common knowledge that in Kabiyesi Awujale, Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona, you have a personality who can speak truth to power at any time and who can be described as fearless, abhors people telling lies and straight forward to a fault.
“Kabiyesi is not anyone who used to be diplomatic. He says it as it is. In the course of that, he garnered some detractors but at the end of the day, people said that he had virtually won all the battles that life threw at him. He was indeed a forthright personality.”
He added that given the strong wish of the royal father to get a new state created out of the old Ijebu Province, all the powers that be must rally to ensure that the dream of a new state became a reality, to immortalise the revered traditional ruler.
“The entire community is good about the creation of the state. The argument has been that of the 24 provinces created in 1924, only Ijebu Province has not been made a state and on that account alone, everyone believes that this error needs to be corrected.
“We know that particularly in a democratic dispensation, it is not that easy to create a state, it involves lots of arguments, lobbying and all that.
“But we feel very strongly that once the course is just, I am hoping that sooner or later, especially now that Kabiyesi is no more, the power that be will seize this opportunity to honour and immortalise him with the state creation,” he said.
