Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland, Iba Gani Adams, has described the late Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona, as a guiding light for the Yoruba race and the nation.
Reacting to the demise of the late Ijebu monarch who passed on Sunday, Iba Gani Adams stated that the death of the late Oba Adetona, marked the end of a remarkable era in the annals of Yoruba history.
He noted that his reign united all Ijebu people and was marked by immeasurable progress and development for Ijebuland.
“The late Awujale was a symbol of unity, cultural preservation, and development for the Ijebu people and the entire Yoruba race. His love for the Ijebu people and the Yoruba was also remarkable.
“His dedication to the welfare of the people was second to none, which explains the visible development witnessed in many aspects of the people’s lives, including health, education, infrastructure and economy,” he said.
Iba Adams said that the Awujale was an embodiment of culture and traditional values, and stood tall among traditional rulers in Yorubaland.
He highlighted the annual Ojude-Oba Festival, which has gained global recognition, as one of the ways through which the late monarch helped to preserve and promote the Yoruba culture and heritage.
Iba Adams also recalled that the late monarch provided leadership for generations of Yoruba people in difficult and challenging times, lamenting that his distinctive leadership would be greatly missed.
The Aare Ona Kakanfo recalled that the late Awujale was one of the Obas in Yorubaland who stood by the truth and fought against the annulment of June 12, 1993 Presidential election presumed to have been won by the late MKO Abiola.
He also said that the late Oba Adetona fought for the actualisation of Ijebu State till death, recalling that in spite of health challenge, he still paid a courtesy visit to President Bola Tinubu early this year as part of his efforts to see that the Ijebu State dream came to fruition.
