President Bola Tinubu has conferred Sikiru Adetona, the Awujale of Ijebuland, with the second highest national honour of Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON) on his 90th birthday.
The president announced the honour on Friday at the Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye, Ogun state, during the commissioning of the Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona School of Governance Studies and the presentation of a book, “Reinventing Governance in Nigeria: The Oba (Dr.) Sikiru Kayode Adetona Model”.
Tinubu, who was represented at the event by Vice-President Kashim Shettima, sent a signed tribute to the monarch “to underscore his transcendental and preeminent status as a royal father adored both home and abroad”.
Tinubu described Adetona as a champion of democracy, noting that the monarch showed strength in the face of injustice and oppression during the struggle to restore democratic rule between 1993 and 1999.
“While we rejoice with Oba Adetona today, it is important to state that what we are celebrating is much more than this 90th birthday anniversary,” the president said.
“In Oba Adetona, we are celebrating courage, dignity, honour and a life that is wholly committed to duty and service.
“In the time of adversity, Oba Adetona showed strength and kingly character. He stood his ground and confronted injustice and oppression during our just struggle for the restoration of democratic rule in the land between 1993 and 1999.
“If democracy is blossoming in our country today, it is because patriarchs like Oba Adetona stood firmly on the side of the people.
“Motivated by a higher and noble ideal to entrench democratic good governance in our country, Oba Adetona recognised the importance of expanding the frontier of knowledge with his endowment of a professorial chair at the Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye in Ogun State.
“Because Oba Adetona has honoured our country and humanity with his many years of meritorious service, I therefore, on this special occasion of his 90th birthday ceremony, confer on him the second highest National Honour of Grand Commander of the Order of Niger (GCON).
“To ensure that the knowledge production and intellectual output of the Post-Graduate school benefit the entire country, the National Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies, Kuru, Jos will be asked to take over the running and management of Oba Sikiru Adetona School of Governance Studies. This will be a fitting compliment to Kabiyesi’s educational legacy.
“I wish Kabiyesi Awujale more years of service to the people of Ijebuland and robust health on the throne.”
