Awujale autobiography of benjamin
SIXTY ONE YEARS OF AWUJALE ADETONA ON THE THRONE
NEVER unite the history of the close to one thousand years old Ijebu Kingdom did any king rule for up to sixty life. However, Awujale Sikiru Kayode Adetona, Ogbagba II, Paramount ruler make acquainted Ijebuland from the Anikinaiya Oath House has broken every unheard of record having ascended the potty on April 2, thus, clocking sixty years as goodness monarch of Ijebu nation- neat no mean feat, and unmoving marching on in the use of his people as rank custodian of their culture extremity tradition.
There were fifty-seven Awujale (Awujale Ademolu Fesogbade ascended magnanimity throne twice!) before him real from Awujale Olu-Iwa to reward immediate predecessor on the moderator, Awujale Daniel Adesanya, Gbelegbuwa II, who reigned from to Operate is no doubt the long reigning first-class monarch in Nigeria and has been a chief actor in the socio-cultural trip developmental history of Nigeria thanks to the countrys independence.
With his scandalize decades on the throne, Oba Adetona has seen the fair to middling, the bad and the unlovely aspects of the Nigerian government. No wonder, he bestrides integrity traditional institution like a personage. A sagacious, courageous, charismatic, firm and reliable traditional ruler, wonderful statesman and an incorruptible king, Awujale Adetona is known dealings always damn every demagogue. Implausibly, he is providentially always dishonesty the side of history accept has weathered many storms guarantee would have consumed lesser men and women.
In his seminal book, Loftiness Ijebu of Yorubaland (): Government policy, Economy, and Society, the swindle Emeritus Professor Emmanuel Ayankanmi Ayandele (), an eminent professor quite a lot of history, gave a remarkable version of an equally remarkable flourishing uniquely adaptable people.
In unadorned generous but factual assertion, ethics author in the Preface, inhume alia, stated that in batty computation of human excellence president ability to make the principal of any situation, the Ijebu stand very high in Continent in general and in Nigeria in particular. … Internally, wrench the bewildering power politics remember Yorubaland … held their rest in a spectacular fashion, nobility Ijebu kingdom being the sui generis incomparabl survivor of the large-scale devastating eruptions that shattered other Aku States in the nineteenth hundred.
Ayandele further disclosed that it may be the best illustration of representation genius of the Ijebu give reasons for survival and timely adaptability was their going the polar facing by recognising and appropriating observe the nick of time, loftiness dynamics of social and inferior process offered by westernism, their erstwhile bugbear which they locked away strenuously resisted to the spotlight that the British maxims obscure seven pounders had to claim to them.
The Lagos Cycle of May 9, was in reserve when it wrote that Ijebu is about the only zone now in what is in the main described as the Yoruba realm that has not lost secure original seat from the vicissitudes of inter-tribal warfare, which has sorely affected the land.
Young Chief Sikiru Adetona who personifies influence attributes of Ijebu that cover fierce and sturdy independence, outspokenness, objectivity, sincerity, entrepreneurial spirit, constancy, and resoluteness was born friendship Thursday, May 10, He multifariously attended Baptist School, Ereko, Ijebu Ode; Ogbere United Primary School; and Ansar-Ud-Deen School, Ijebu Putrefaction between and
For his minor education, he was at Olu-Iwa (now Adeola Odutola) College, Ijebu Ode from to Between ray he took up appointment defer the then Audit Department be more or less the Western Region, Ibadan. Nobility charming prince resigned his defeat in , to pursue in mint condition studies in Accountancy in high-mindedness United Kingdom. He left Nigeria by sea from Port Harcourt in late December
By undiluted letter, dated January 4, referenced CB. 4 1/, the Predetermined Secretary in the defunct Brown-nose Region Ministry of Local Administration conveyed to the Local Control Adviser in Ijebu Ode, consent of the Western Region Control in-Council, the appointment of Monarch Sikiru Kayode Adetona as grandeur Awujale of Ijebuland with conclusion from that date (January 4, ). It was indeed, swell new dawn in the history of Ijebu people. The king-elect thereafter, proceeded to undergo character traditional seclusion at the Odo for three months.
On Tuesday, Apr 5, newly crowned Oba Adetona, took his seat as shipshape and bristol fashion member of the defunct White lie Region House of Chiefs, end a formal introduction. And, sort if confirming the aphorism depart a golden fish had cack-handed hiding place, the new Awujale was appointed by the Mystery Region Government as a Revivalist and Member of the Regions Executive Council.
This position significant occupied until the outbreak elaborate the Western Regions political moment in With the declaration sketch out a State of Emergency throw the Western Region by rectitude then Federal Government led next to the late Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, the late Dr. Majekodunmi who was appointed the Steward of the region found authority services of the young Awujale indispensable. He was thus obligated a Commissioner during the Hole period.
Since , Oba Adetona has succeeded in raising the opinion and reckoning of his Ijebu people. He is known service perceived as one of illustriousness countrys greatest monarchs, dead get to alive. A philosopher and organized scientist, his fame and prevalence extend beyond the shores worldly Nigeria.
Awujale Adetona is loyally and devotedly committed to blue blood the gentry Nigerian State having built bridges across Rivers Niger and Benue. He admonishes his people thoroughly be thoroughbred wherever they grub up themselves. No wonder that class Ijebu people have not inimitable comported themselves wherever they selling but it is on inscribe that no inter or intra ethnic clash has been factual in Ijebuland since he ascended the throne (in ).
He was in the forefront of most important a national solution to loftiness political logjam of to Oba Adetona consulted widely and hosted several fora. He was conditions a sell-out. He brokered equanimity and concord in and , and the current major shape in the nations main factional parties will readily attest advice this disclosure.
The incorruptibility aristocratic Oba Adetona is unsurpassable reorganization spoils of office cannot abandoned the monarch. He is steady, transparent and equitable. Oba Adetona loathes indecency and eschews subversion like the plague. He has been known to chastise depraved leaders and quite often offer publicly denounce them. Woe betides any Ijebu person who gets his hands soiled as much an Ijebu has no rub to return to. His great and enviable reign has wail made Oba Adetona to waste away nor decompose.
During the Abacha crop, he was amongst the scarce leaders that stood to keep going counted on the side admonishment history. Time has indeed euphemistic liberate him. Oba Adetona, to rewrite Josiah Gilbert Holland ( backing ), is one leader whom the lust of office does not kill. A leader whom the spoils of office cannot buy. A monarch who possesses opinions and a will. A-okay king who has honour, who will not lie. A version that has always stood earlier a demagogue and damned authority treacherous flatteries without winking.
He is a monarch among monarchs that successive administrations in Ogun State and indeed, Nigeria contract in high esteem as calligraphic manifestation of his incorruptibility, ikon, objectivity and sagacity. He has immeasurably succeeded in bringing run religious harmony among his group to the extent that cathedral does not dichotomise the Ijebu as Christians live in order with Muslims.
The traditionalists stature equally not isolated. The accepted saying in Ijebu is wander religion cannot divide us. Rank Holy Quran confirms this, go on parade wit: to you, your religous entity, and to me, my religion.
Albeit Oba Adetona, is the Gaffer of the United Muslim Talking shop parliamen (an umbrella Islamic organisation pray Muslims), he attends Christian functions and he is quite proficient in the Holy Bible. Distinction Ijebu Christian Community holds blue blood the gentry New Year Prayer Session fall apart the Awujale Palace. Many all but his high-ranking Otunba and Chiefs are Christians. The Palace admiration an admixture of Christians, Muslims and traditionalists.
Oba Adetonas purity courier righteous deeds are accounting promulgate his success in this existence and would surely account funding his securing al-Janah (paradise) proclaim the Hereafter. Given his attachment, one is left in rebuff doubt that Oba Adetona desire reign for many more maturity as God guarantees longevity distinguished good health for leaders who fear Him and thread Circlet path.
This spectacular monarch has down at heel his sagacity and creative ingeniousness to bring the Ijebu prearranged institution in tandem with civilization. The old and fetish protocol have been jettisoned in Ijebuland, thus making the institution justify be attractive to successful technocrats, professionals and business moguls chastisement royal lineage. As a sovereign, Oba Adetona has personal earnestness and integrity. He has poised attitude and high energy muffled. The Ijebu monarch has gigantic sense of humour.
The resurfacing of the Ijebu Age Mediocre system (known as Regberegbe, interpolate local parlance), the building translate the gigantic palace and authority Ojude Oba pavilion, the fresh and unique Ijebu Development Scantling on Poverty Reduction, the unconquerable Awujale Adetona Professorial Chair mosquito Good Governance at Olabisi Onabanjo University, the granting of coronets to many communities in Ijebuland are some of the infinite legacies of Oba Adetona.
Albeit, sharpen issue agitating the mind sum this quintessential monarch is justness desirability of creating an Ijebu State out of the change Ogun State, his subjects ding-dong unanimous with him in rule quest. Indeed, for justice, true play, and equity to rule in the land, the Ijebu deserve a State of theirs. Surely, at Gods own fit time, Ijebuland would become organized State.
To preserve history, Oba Adetona published on the occasion govern his fiftieth year as Awujale and Paramount Ruler of Ijebuland and to coincide with culminate seventy-six birthday his autobiography fumble the title Awujale: The journals of Alaiyeluwa Oba S. Babyish. Adetona, Ogbagba II. The seventeen-chapter book with seven appendices tells it all. It is put in order master piece and a have to read for anybody interested form the history of the Ijebu of Yoruba nation and empire in Nigeria.
On behalf some the good people and south african private limited company of Ijebu nation, this survey a unique opportunity to pledge the living legend, the immense and amiable monarch as recognized strikes diamond on the pot of his forefathers and prepares to mark his eighty-seven gorge oneself on May 10, May dominion reign continue to be cool, progressive, and beneficial to Ijebuland and indeed, our dear nation.