As told in Memories of My Father, written by Mrs. Idowu Ashiru, wife of one of the Otunbas of the Awujale, Prof. Oladapo Ashiru, the kingship was not his turn, but because of the western education he had been privileged to acquire, and having lived abroad for a reasonable length of time, his people were adamant that the days of having illiterate obas were over.
After listening to Shonibare’s team’s persuasive explanations and once he was convinced that his people truly wanted him, then the young prince agreed to return home. And the rest, as they say, is history.
Though the new Oba was quite young, his sagacity could not be contemned; and he soon proved his mettle with the way he led his people, especially through the years of acrimonious politics that prevailed in the Second Republic, and during which he was deposed by the then Ogun State Governor, late Chief Olabisi Onabanjo.
He stood his ground — with his people standing solidly behind him — and he refused to be a sellout even at a time when it was unpopular not to see things from the point of view of the government. He regained his throne after some legal battle.
Though the ageing monarch is well read, his love for education is legendary. It was therefore not a surprise that two years ago, when ordinary mortals of his age would be counting the number of days they may have left, the Awujale opted to go back to school.
As reported by this medium, 78-year-old Awujale of Ijebuland joined 201 other new Law students of the National Open University of Nigeria for their matriculation at the Awa-Ijebu Study Centre.
His reason was simple. He had said, “I desire to make history as the nation’s oldest monarch to bag a degree in Law while still on the throne.”
He confessed also that his passion for education in general, and for law education in particular, informed his decision to go back to school at such an advanced age.
After the matriculation ceremony, the Oba had said, “Age cannot be a barrier to learning for me. It is what I desire and I assure all of you that I will study very well and come out of the university in record time without fail.”
Two years into his studentship, the Ogbagba II has retained his interest without wavering.
That the Awujale is revered at home and abroad is not in doubt. Other obas — within and outside his kingdom — hold him in high esteem. And so, though he was admitted alongside 27 other traditional rulers, the latter decided to defer their admission for a year.
Some of them were the Limeri of Awa-Ijebu, Oba Abib Awobajo; and the Ajalorun of Ijebu-Ife, Oba Olusesan Oguntayo.
They said they decided to defer their own admission in order to allow their paramount ruler to be a year ahead of them. It was the least sign of honour they could give to the monarch.
The Egbe Bobakeye (Okunrin) — one of the kingdom’s traditional age groups — describes the Awujale as forward-looking. It says, “As an enlightened monarch, Oba Adetona believes that culture is dynamic and, therefore, encourages changes that enable his people to adapt to modern times.
“He encouraged modification of cultures and traditions by removing those aspects that are barbaric. For this, Ijebus are grateful to him. For example, Ijebu Obas, on their demise, are now buried according to their religious beliefs, eliminating old unwholesome practices.”
Though a nationalist to the core, the Awujale is also conscious of his historical role as the custodian of the hope and aspirations of a sophisticated tribe who would stop at nothing to achieve collective goal.
For a long time, the Ijebu people have sought and advocated for the creation of Ijebu State. The Awujale wholeheartedly aligns with this desire. Recently, he expressed optimism that Ijebu State would be a reality in his life time.
He based his conviction on the chequered history of Ijebuland, describing it as one of the provinces of the old Western Region.
“I’m optimistic that Ijebu State will be created in my life time. Ijebu is a viable land and will achieve it,” the revered monarch enthused.
Born as Prince Sikiru Olukayode Adetona to the Anikinaiya 1, of the Ogbagba Royal Family of Ijebu Ode on May 10, 1934, his father was Prince Rufai Adetona, while his mother was Alhaja Ajibabi Adetona (nee Onashile). His mother hailed from Ijebu Igbo.
Between 1957 and 1958, the young Adetona worked with the then Audit Department of the Western Region, Ibadan, present Oyo State. He resigned his appointment in 1958 to pursue further studies in Accountancy in the United Kingdom.
The approval of the Western Region Governor-in-Council, confirming his appointment as the new Awujale of Ijebuland, was made via a letter dated January 4, 1960, and referenced CB. 41/333. The Permanent Secretary in the Western Region Ministry of Local Government conveyed the appointment to the Local Government Adviser in Ijebu Ode.
He was formally crowned as the Awujale of Ijebuland 54 years ago — precisely on April 2, 1960, at a youthful age of 26
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