Ijebu Ode, Nigeria – Na Monday wey just pass, soldiers show dem strength as dem komot traditionalists wey dey represent Osugbo cult from the Muslim burial of late Awujale of Ijebu land, Oba Sikiru Adetona. Dem show face for the funeral, but people wey dey around no gree make dem spoil the scene, dem begin shout, and soldiers too jump in to escort dem out. Na so the monarch’s remains finally find rest for him private residence around 6 pm, following Islamic rites, e no easy o.
Oba Adetona reign for solid 65 years before him waka come meet ancestors on Sunday, July 13, 2025, age 91. E dey buried beside him papa for one family mausoleum wey dey dey different, where him mama also dey rest. Funeral wey suppose be celebration of life turn drama because of the traditionalists. Dem don reject the Oba and Chiefs Law 2021 wey try make room for burials according to personal beliefs. But everybody sabi say for tradition, wetin traditional rulers dey do today na no be wetin dem do yesterday!
The Osugbo cult members come to ‘reclaim’ the burial rites for the late monarch, wey na like father to the law amendment wey cause wahala for Ogun. But if dem think say soldiers go just stand dey, e no go happen, dem quickly come out the traditionalists make we fit carry on for mourning.
For the burial, dignitaries gather well-well, including former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, Ogun Governor Dapo Abiodun, Lagos Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, and many senators dem. Governor Abiodun start to yarn how Oba Adetona no just reign long, but na wisdom and giving heart carry the man reach this point. When e talk say ‘Kabiyesi was a bundle of intellect,’ e no dey joke.
Jaguda like Dangote dey hail Oba Adetona for him love wey no respect state boundary. ‘E no just love Ijebu people, him dey show national love too,’ na wetin Dangote talk. The Ogbeni Oja, Sunny Kuku, wey dey wear regent cap now, even come give journalists gist on how Oba Adetona na man wey fit make royalty sweet!
Even Ladi Adebutu, wey run for governor before, chime in, saying na leadership quality of Oba wey we suppose copy. ‘Na so we go build better life for our people,’ he yan. Gbenga Daniel, another big man for the politics side, say wey we really fit do to honor the late king na to make new state from old Ijebu Province. ‘E no dey happen like that. But Kabiyesi, we go try!’
So, it’s a mix of sadness and pure Naija drama come together for the final send-off of Oba Sikiru Adetona. We no forget the man wey do plenty for his people as we still dey wonder how dem go carry the legacy go on without am. Wetin man go do? Life dey go on, but for Ijebu land, the vacuum e go create no go easy to fill.
