• As Jonathan extols Awujale’s virtues at 80
“The good Obas in Yorubaland, who are forthright, firm and stand by the truth are not up to five, they are just three; Oba Awujale, Oba Akiolu, and one other.”
That was the verdict of a national leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, while carpeting traditional rulers in the South West, his area of political dominance, referring to some of them as “useless” and “sell-outs”.
Tinubu made the assertion on Friday, in Ijebu-Ode, during the Jumaat prayer session to mark the 80th birthday of the Awujale and paramount ruler of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona.
Describing Oba Adetona as the best traditional ruler in Yorubaland, the former Governor of Lagos State said the Awujale attained such status because of his doggedness and truthfulness at all times.
He revealed that when the military junta targeted the Yoruba, the traditional ruler was among those pencilled down for assassination by the government.
‘‘Kabiyesi, you are a good father and monarch. I remember in 1991, 1992 and 1993, during the military junta, when the Yoruba was the target of the then government, they thought they could silence you, they planned to kill you, they planned to remove you through a local government, but they failed. They did it to Sultan of Sokoto then and they succeeded. You stood by us; you stood by the truth and despite all humiliation, depression and attack, you remained resolute and unshaken.
‘‘One of those days, I will never forget in my life was the day you invited us to your palace for one of our meetings. When we got there and were about to commence our meeting, we were told that the military had surrounded the palace with mighty guns. You told us then that there was no problem, and we should continue our meeting. You said they didn’t know that there are many ways into the palace, after our meeting, you personally opened another door for us and nothing happened to us.
‘‘You are not part of the useless Obas in Yorubaland, who are sell-outs, we know them, and it is not yet time to mention names. In Yorubaland today, you are the best monarch, and that is not contestable.
“The good Obas in Yorubaland, who are forthright, firm and stand by the truth are not up to five, they are just three; Oba Awujale, Oba Akiolu and one other. May you live long with good health and abundant God’s blessin,’’ Tinubu stated.
Reacting to the plea by the Awujale that the people should not turn his birthday programme to a political gathering because of the presence of President Jonathan and other political icons from every part of the world, the former lawmaker said, ‘‘our father said someone would be coming tomorrow, we will not disobey our father, but tell him to just come, greet us and go away,’’ Tinubu assured.
Meanwhile, President Goodluck Jonathan, yesterday, described Oba Adetona as an inestimable masquerade, whose contribution to the nation’s development could not be quantified.
Jonathan, who was represented by his Chief of Staff, Gen. John Arogbofa (rtd), stated this yesterday at the grand finale of the 80th birthday celebration of the monarch.
Arogbofa, while apologising on behalf of the president, said but for the current security challenges facing the nation, Jonathan would have personally attended the birthday ceremony.
The CoS noted that some foreign leaders had arrived in the country in respect of the activities of the insurgents, adding that Jonathan needed to meet with the visiting leaders.
‘‘I bring a word of tidings from Mr. President, I know that Mr. President promised to be here by himself today to celebrate your 80th birthday with you, 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 that concern everyone of us. 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 with, 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 and as such, but today, we, who are the small masquerades, are here advancing for him to come, while today, and for this week, he’s taking care of the affairs of the nation. He sent me to let you know that he deeply appreciates all what you have done for this land and indeed, for Yorubaland, and even beyond for this nation for the period of your leadership and rulership in our land.
‘‘You have contributed enormously to the development of government during your service as attested to 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 he further requested that what you have been doing, you should continue to do it,’’ Arogbofa said.
Governor Ibikunle Amosun, in his address, appreciated the monarch for his support for his administration in the last three years he assumed office, saying, but for the monarch, he would have not achieved all he had.
As a sign of appreciation to the traditional ruler, the governor named the newly-constructed flyover in Ijebu-Ode after him.
Amosun said: ‘‘Kabiyesi, over the years, has used his wealth of experience to nurture, to advise and to 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. Kabiyesi, we are grateful to you, the Lord will continue to be with you. There is no way I, as governor, including my government, could have achieved all what we have done and still doing, without your support.
‘‘Kabiyesi is the oldest Oba in our state; he has been on the throne for 54 years, almost 55 years. He’s a very experienced Oba, of course, not all people are blessed by Almighty Allah. Kabiyesi uses his wealth of experience to unite everybody, 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 emphasised that ‘‘what is it that you want to give Kabiyesi, which he doesn’t have? Is it cars, is it houses? But, we want to give Kabiyesi something that we know that 50 years,100 years down the lane, people will look at and say, what is this? And people will say, that is one of our Obas, that is the Oba of Ijebuland that dignified the entire landscape of Ijebuland positively.
‘‘Kabiyesi, this is a token, I know so many would still come. The first flyover that we did in Ijebuland, we will name it the 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.’’
Former Head of State and chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Gen. Muhammed Buhari(retd), described the Awujale as a colossus and an exemplary leader. National Chairman of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Adamu Muazu, said ‘‘since I’ve known Kabiyesi, he’s and still a respecter of law, and an epitome of high humility.’’
Among the dignitaries present were: Mallam Nasir el Rufai, Pastor Tunde Bakare, and the former Speaker, Alhaji Aminu Bello Masari. Others were: Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi; Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwan Akiolu; Alake of Egbaland, Oba Michael Aremu Gbadebo, and Olu of Ilaro.
Source: Daily Newswatch
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