President Bola Tinubu has heartily celebrated the Awujale and Paramount Ruler of Ijebuland, His Royal Majesty, Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona, on the special occasion of his 90th birthday.
A statement issued on Thursday by Ajuri Ngelale, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, said the president expressed joy that the royal father has attained this milestone age, yet continues to discharge his duties as the ruler of the entire Ijebuland without let.
Tinubu affirmed that Oba Adetona is not just another traditional ruler in Yorubaland and Nigeria, but a preeminent royal father who has brought honour, integrity, dignity, courage, and impeccable strength of character to the throne over the last 60 years.
He added: “I have always enjoyed the trust, friendship, and confidence of Kabiyesi Awujale Ogbagba ll in the course of my political journey, through the struggles of our fight for the return of democratic governance in our country and beyond my tenure as Governor of Lagos State. Throughout these epochs in my political odyssey, Oba Adetona has remained a pillar of strength and support.
“In matters of fighting for justice, fairness, equity, and a more just society where every part of our country can progress and our people live peacefully and in harmony with each other, Kabiyesi has been a dependable ally.”
According to the statement, extolling the inimitable contributions of the revered monarch to nation-building, President Tinubu emphasized that he fought for and invested in democracy and good governance, and went as far as endowing a chair in that discipline at Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago Iwoye, in Ogun State, where he built a School of Post-Graduate and Research Studies in Governance.
The statement observed that the Awujale has lived and served well, noting that as he joins the prestigious club of nonagenarians, the lresident wished him more years in good health on the throne of his forebears.
In the same vein, former president Muhammadu Buhari has joined in celebrating Oba Adetona, noting that he
has the record of being one of the nation’s longest reigning chiefs, having been on the throne ahead of the country’s independence since April 1960.
A statement issued by his spokesman, Garba Shehu, asserted that he is proud of his “special relationship with the Oba and his subjects.”
President Buhari described the Awujale as an “exemplary chief who leads through example and shows the conduct of a true statesman.
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He added: “Oba Adetona exemplifies how a traditional leader should conduct himself and how to treat others, whether they are his subjects or not. His respectable demeanour towards others and his humility and personal integrity are exemplary.”
He wished him a longer life in service and good health.