It was a majestic affair in Ijebu Ode, Ogun State, on Saturday, May 10 as Nigeria’s elite turned out in their finest to honour the legendary monarch, Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona, the Awujale and Paramount Ruler of Ijebuland, on the occasion of his 91st birthday.
From political powerhouses to traditional titans, family, friends, and admirers gathered to celebrate the royal icon whose reign continues to command respect and reverence. The celebration kicked off with an intellectual flourish; a public lecture at Olabisi Onabanjo University, themed “Corruption and National Security: Impacts and Consequences,” held in honour of the revered monarch’s unwavering commitment to justice and good governance.
But the real spectacle came later, a grand reception fit for royalty.
The venue; a stunning hall transformed into a palace of elegance, dressed in flowing cream and white linens, with lush floral arrangements breathing life and colour into the regal setup. The atmosphere was thick with celebration, love, and tradition.
One by one, the Olojas of Ijebuland, decked in coordinated green and black lace and majestic aso-oke, stepped forward to pay homage. Olori after Olori glided across the floor in graceful dances, their steps speaking volumes of joy, loyalty, and pride.
The Awujale himself was a vision of nobility, draped in an exquisite cream agbada with light-yellow embroidery, crowned with a traditional cap, and flanked by his beloved wife and family. Though seated, Oba Adetona danced with joy, clapping and smiling as the music filled the room, his spirit as lively as ever.
At 91, the Awujale remains the beating heart of Ijebuland; a monarch celebrated not just for his age, but for a legacy carved in gold.