Dignitaries Laud Ijebu Monarch

The people of Ijebu-Ode in Ogun at the weekend celebrated the inauguration of the multi-million Naira extension of the palace of the Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Adetona.

The inauguration of the edifice was also used to commemorate the 77th birthday and 51st coronation anniversary of the paramount ruler.

The News Agency of Nigeria(NAN) reported that the Awujale who was born on May 10, 1934 became the Awujale of Ijebuland at age of 26 in January 1960.

The palace extension named “Oba Sikiru Adetona Golden Jubilee Centre” is a replica of a mini-stadium and has a 5,000 sitting capacity.

It also has office space, restaurant, museum, archive, social event hall and parade ground for the annual Ojude Oba festival.

Eminent personalities from all walks of life witnessed the ceremony, extolling the virtues of Adetona and describing him as a courageous, trustworthy, loyal and fortright royal father.

In his speech, the chairman of the occasion, Oba Rilwan Akinolu, the Oba of Lagos commended the Awujale for his developmental vision for Ijebuland.

Akinolu who described the edifice as impressive and monumental prayed to God to grant Awujale long life so as to enjoy his hard-earned labour.

“It is only a visionary leader like Awujale that can put in place this kind of edifice. I am proud of him and it is my prayer that more of this impressive project will be executed in his life time.

“I cherish his fatherly role because he does not tell lies and that was why before I became Oba of Lagos I prayed to God to make me emulate his good character and quality leadership on the throne,’’ he said.

In his remarks, Gov. Gbenga Daniel of Ogun said the palace extension was a symbolic reference of Awujale and the throne he represents.

Daniel also described the completion and inauguration of the edifice as a demonstration of the quality leadership Awujale had given to the people of Ijebuland.

The governor explained that the edifice would provide employment for the youths as well as improve the economic benefit of Ijebuland.

Daniel, however, called for proper maintenance and protection of the edifice against vandalism.

The governor also used the medium to appeal to the incoming administration in the state to continue with the developmental programmes his administration had started.

He disclosed that the construction of the international cargo airport and deep seaport in the state had been concession to the private sector.

In his address, Oba Adetona thanked all the sons and daughters of Ijebuland who contributed towards the completion of the palace extension.