Solomon Adeola, the Chairman, Senate Committee of Appropriations and Senator representing Ogun West Senatorial District has expressed grief and sadness as a result of the death of Oba Sikiru Adetona, the Awujale of Ijebuland, on Sunday.
The senator noted that demise of the monarch after reigning for a remarkable sixty-five (65) years was a loss that the country will have to grapple with for a long time.
Kayode Odunaro, the Senator’s Media Adviser in a statement made available to journalists on Monday explained that Senator Adeola praised the late monarch as a man of principle who contributed remarkably to the socio-economic, cultural and political development of not only Ijebuland and Ogun State but Nigeria as a whole.
The senator stated, “I received the news of the transition of the revered Awujale, Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona, Ogbagba II, with shock and sadness.
“In my close encounters with him in his palace, he came out boldly as a royal father who brooks no injustice in whatever guise, confirming a national reputation as a principled monarch who fought against military dictatorship and all forms of injustice during his reign.
“He was a development-oriented royal father who promoted the economic growth of his people and Ogun State.
“The long reign of Awujale was a blessing to the people of Ijebuland in the area of socio-cultural renaissance associated with the now famous and global Ojude Oba annual cultural festival that promotes Yoruba and African culture.
“Oba Adetona’s reign is a model for all Obas to emulate in terms of using royal authority and acumen to develop society and advance the common good of the people.”