Jonathan, Amosun, Buhari Others Eulogise Awujale

Abiodun Onafuye,Abeokuta

President Goodluck Jonathan has described the Awujale and Paramount ruler of Ijebuland, Oba Dr. Sikiru Kayode Adetona as a big masquerade whose contribution to the country cannot be underrated.

The President, who was represented by his Chief of Staff, Brigadier-Gen. John Arogbofa ( retd.) apologised for Jonathan’s absence, attributing it to the present challenges facing the country.

“I bring words of good tidings from Mr President, I know that Mr President promised to be here by himself today to celebrate your 80th birthday, but as you know, and we all know that the nation is facing some challenges today and these are challenges we are all worried about; challenges that concerns everybody and because of that it has not been possible for Mr President to come today because there are visitors from outside the country with whom he has to share some views on how this problem can be resolved. I want to plead with all of us that these are challenges that we are all faced with, they are challenges that all of us should and will gather together to resolve.

“Your royal majesty, Mr President has requested that I let you know that you are a big masquerade and he will come to visit you, but today, we, who are the small masquerade, we are here advancing for him to come. He sent me to let you know that he deeply appreciates all you have done for this land and indeed for Yorubaland and even for this nation since you assumed leadership and rulership in our land.

“You have contributed enormously to the development of government during your service as attested by your own son, who is the governor of the State. Peace has been in the land and he says, I should thank you and further request that what you have been doing, you continue to do,” Arogbofa said.

Ogun State governor, Ibikunle Amosun declared that, if not for the monarch, he would have found it difficult to achieve all what he has achieved since he assumed office. He thanked the monarch for his unflinching support over the last three years of his administration.

The governor announced the naming of the newly constructed flyover in Ijebu Ode after the monarch, as a mark of honour and respect for the man,who is the oldest monarch in Yorubaland.

“Over the years, Kabiyesi has used his wealth of experience to nurture, advise and assist all the governments that have served in Ogun State. I can say that, because all my predecessors, can attest to what Kabiyesi did when they were in office. We are grateful to you and may the Lord continue to be with you. There is no way myself and my government could have achieved so much.

“As the oldest Oba in our State, he has been on the throne for 54 years, almost 55 years, he is a very experienced Oba, of course, not all people are blessed by Almighty Allah. Kabiyesi uses his wealth of experience to unite everybody together, to make sure there is peace. Kabiyesi, I want to place it on record that for me as governor and my government, we have benefited from your wealth of experience, please continue to guide us and tell us the way it is,” Amosun pleaded.

“What is it that you want to give Kabiyesi, that he doesn’t have? Is it cars or houses? But we want to give Kabiyesi something that we know that 50 years,100 years down the lane.

“The first flyover that we built in Ijebuland, we will name it Oba (Dr.) S K Adetona flyover. I want generations yet unborn, when the history of this State is being written, and when the history of Ijebu State is being told, I am sure the representative of Mr President is here and it will be passed across to him, your name will never be forgotten,” the governor said.

The former Head of State and a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Gen. Muhammed Buhari, who arrived with Mallam Nasir El Rufai, Pastor Tunde Bakare and the former Speaker, Alhaji Aminu Bello Masari described the monarch as a collosus and an exemplary leader.

Also, the National Chairman of Peoples Democratic Party,PDP, Alhaji Adam Muazu, who said Awujale is his father. He said he was not in Ijebu Ode as the Chairman of PDP, but as a son who has came to felicitate with his father. “Since I knew Kabiyesi, he is and still a respecter of law, who is an epitome of high humility”.

Dignitaries at the birthday celebration held at the Otunba Dipo Dina International Stadium, Ijebu Ode included: Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi; Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwan Akiolu; Alake of Egbaland, Oba Michael Aremu Gbadebo; Olu of Ilaro, Oba Kehinde Olugbenle and Obi of Onitsha leaders of Hausa, Fulani and Igbo people.

Others were the governor of Bayelsa State, Honourable Seriake Dickson, who has a maternal root in Ijebu-Ode; Minister of Agriculture, Dr.Akinwunmi Adesina; Senator Adegbenga Kaka; Senator Gbenga Obadara; Deputy governor of Ogun State, Prince Segun Adesegun; Speaker Ogun State House of Assembly, Suraju Adekunmbi; Gen. Adeyinka Adebayo; Otunba Subomi Balogun, Olori Omooba of Ijebuland; Aremo Olusegun Osoba; Chief Razaq Okoya; Alhaji Aliko Dangote; Senator Olorunnimbe Mamora; Otunba Gbenga Daniel; Alhaji Sulaiman Adebola Adegunwa; Chief Sonny Kuku; Chief Kuforiji Olubi; Tunde Lemo of CBN; Otunba Mike Adenuga Jnr., of Globacom, Oba Otudeko and other captains of industry and foreign diplomats.

In his remark, the monarch thanked everybody who came from far and near to rejoice with him, promising that he will continue with all the good works.

Awujale, who was full of joy, however used the opportunity to advise leaders, both political and traditional to beware of bad advisers, who according to him, “are deceptive and after what they will eat”.

“Leaders must be upright, firm in decision making and always carry their people and subject along in everything they do. That is the only way any ruler or leader can succeed. I want to thank all Obas in Ijebuland for their support and love as they have been my backbone and supporter, together, we will all finish well.

“Also,I thank all Ijebu sons and daughters for all their support and by the grace of God, our desire and aspiration for Ijebu State will become realistic,” he said.