•Governor Dapo Abiodun, Oba S.K. Adetona & his Olori Agba (picture credit Femi Mebude)
By Heritage Odih, Abeokuta
Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State, Ijebu traditional rulers and chiefs as well as sons and daughters of Ijebu extraction and others from Ogun State poured into Ijebu – Ode to honour the Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Adetona on his
90th birthday and 64th coronation anniversary thanksgiving Service.
Abiodun and other dignitaries, including Senator Gbenga Daniel, Olorogun Sunny Kuku, at the auspicious service prayed for the Paramount Ruler’s good health and wisdom to further contribute to the progress, peace and development of Ijebuland, Ogun State and Nigeria.
At the anniversary church service held at the Cathedral Church of Our Saviour, Ita-Olowajoda-Ijasi, Ijebu-Ode, Governor Abiodun described Oba Adetona as a living legend and a phenomenon whose reign has been a monumental success and a pride to the entire Ijebuland and the state at large.
He disclosed that efforts are in top gear to affiliate the Oba Sikiru Adetona College of Governance located at the Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU) Ago Iwoye with the National Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Kuru, Jos, for the training of high ranking government officials. 
• Governor Dapo Abiodun (picture credit Femi Mebude)
He said Permanent Secretaries from the state would be the first to enrol to enable them benefit from the college, which is the brain child of the Awujale.
Prince Abiodun also said that he sought and got the approval of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to grant the College the full status of the campus of the NIPSS.
“I told Kabiyesi this morning that our Permanent Secretaries will be the first set of students at that Oba Sikiru Adetona College of Governance, and they will be the first set to benefit from the Awujale’s initiative
“I have further made a case to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to allow Baba’s school of Governance to become a campus of the National Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies Kuru, a request that Mr President has graciously approved,” he stated.
According to the governor, the monarch represents the beauty and the candour of the ancestral heritage of the Ijebu people, emphasizing that his passion for governance and accessible commitment to education led him to institute the Oba Sikiru Adetona Professorial Chair in Governance in the Department of Political Science of Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU), Ago-Iwoye.
“This initiative has led and given birth to the establishment of the world class Oba Sikiru Adetona School of Governance, the first of its kind in Sub-Saharan Africa.
“He championed the Ijebu Development Board on poverty eradication that has become a model in the entire country,” Abiodun submitted.
In his sermon titled; “Serve the Lord with Gladness,” Dean Emeritus, Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), the Most Reverend Dr. Ephraim Adebola Ademowo said God’s purpose for man was to serve Him unconditionally, noting that no man serves God faithfully without rewards.
Taking his text from Psalms 100 verse 2, the Most Reverend Ademowo regretted however that though God put people in places of authority to serve, most Nigerians do not see themselves as servants once they assume leadership positions, calling for a change of heart to move the nation forward.
He called for national rebirth beginning from the family, saying this would reposition the country and bring back its lost glory.
The cleric described Oba Adetona as a unifier, a monarchical colossus and “a Solomon of our time,” who used the palace to unite all Ijebu sons and daughters irrespective of their political or religious linage.
The Awujale, the Most Reverend Ademowo noted, is a mentor, enabler, whose life is full of monumental achievements in his 64 years on the throne, saying he has touched many lives through endowment programmes.
In attendance at the Thanksgiving Service are Oba Sikiru Adetona and his wife, Olori Kemi Adetona, Senator Gbenga Daniel, the new Ogbeni Oja of Ijebuland, Olorogun (Dr) Sunny Kuku, the Ebumawe of Ago Iwoye, Oba Abdul-,Rasaq Adenugba, other traditional rulers and chiefs.
Cover image: L-R: Olori Kemi Adetona; Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun; Awujale and Paramount Ruler of Ijebuland, Alaiyeluwa Oba (Dr) Sikiru Adetona at the 90th birthday and 64th coronation anniversary thanksgiving of the Awujale at the Cathedral Church of Our Saviour, Ita-Olowajoda-Ijasi, Ijebu Ode, Ogun State, on Sunday.
