The late Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona, the Awujale of Ijebuland, will be laid to rest this afternoon at his Igbeba residence.

Mr Adetona passed away on Sunday at the age of 91.

The late monarch would be buried in accordance with Islamic rites.

This was disclosed in an announcement, directed to ‘Iyalode and members of the Regberegbe Council’, circulated in the early hours of Monday.

“The remains of Alayeluwa Kabiyesi Oba Dr. Sikiru Kayode Adetona GCON, Ogbagba II Awujale & Paramount Ruler of Ijebuland shall be buried according to Islamic Rights on Monday 14/7/2025 at his Igbeba residence Ogbagba Court at 4.00 PM.

“We implored all members of each Egbe available to get to the Ogbagba Court, Igbeba latest by 3.00pm. Aljana Fridaous, Amin,” the statement said.

Governor Dapo Abiodun confirmed the demise of Mr Adetona in a statement posted on social media on Sunday.

His death came hours after the announcement of the passing of his longtime friend and former President Muhammadu Buhari.

The deceased ascended the throne in 1960, marking the beginning of a transformative era for Ijebuland.

Mr Adetona was among the few monarchs who supported the National Democratic Coalition, a pro-democracy group in the mid-1990s, opposed former military dictator Sani Abacha, demanding validation of the June 12, 1993, presidential election annulled by the military despot Ibrahim Babangida.

The late MKO Abiola won the election.  

In his 65-year reign, Ujude Oba, an annual festival that brings Ijebus together during every Sallah period, became a global event.

Before his demise, Mr Adetona leveraged his relationship with President Bola Tinubu to push for the creation of Ijebu State. Peoples Gazette reported how Mr Adetona met with the president, requesting that Ijebu State be created from the present-day Ogun State.