President Bola Tinubu arrived in Ogun State on Sunday to pay his respects and participate in the eighth-day Fidau prayer for the late Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona.
The President, accompanied by First Lady Oluremi Tinubu, landed at the Gateway International Agro/Cargo Airport in Ilishan-Iperu at 12:45 PM.
Upon their arrival, Tinubu and his wife were greeted by a delegation of prominent figures.
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Among those present were Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun and his wife, former Ogun State Governor Olusegun Osoba, Chairman of the Governors’ Forum and Kwara State Governor Abdulrazaq Abdulrahman, Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, and Ekiti State Governor Biodun Oyebanji.
Several paramount rulers and chiefs from Ogun State also joined the reception.
Following a brief inspection of the guard of honour at the airport, Tinubu proceeded to the Igbeba family court of the late Awujale in Ijebu-Ode.
There, he offered prayers at the monarch’s tomb and extended his condolences to the immediate family members of the revered traditional leader.
Oba Adetona, who died on July 13 at the age of 91, was interred the following day in a quiet ceremony in Ijebu-Ode, conducted according to Islamic rites.
The late Oba was a significant voice in national affairs and held the distinction of being one of Nigeria’s longest-serving traditional rulers, having reigned for an extraordinary 65 years.
Earlier, Tinubu, in a statement posted on his X page on Sunday, described the death of the monarch and former President Muhammadu Buhari as the loss of two men he held in the highest regard.
He said the late king was more than just a royal father to him, he was a confidant, a guide, and a man of truth whose wisdom consistently provided steady counsel to all who sought it.
“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. I am in Ijebu-Ode today to honour his legacy at his eighth-day Fidau prayers.
“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. May Almighty Allah grant him Aljannah Firdaus and comfort all who mourn him.”
