The late Awujale of Ijebu, Oba Sikiru Adetona would be remembered in the distinguished roster of leaders, monarchs, and statesmen who chose to document their life’s journey and leadership through their own words. For Oba Adetona, a king who led his people for many years, his book, “AWUJALE, The Autobiography of Alaiyeluwa Oba S.K. Adetona Ogbagba II” is more than just a historical record. It’s his voice reaching out to us from beyond, sharing his experiences and wisdom.
I got hold of his autobiography while writing the biography of Mike Adenuga whose mother, Oyin Adenuga is Oba Adetona’s aunt, and who once lived with Mike Adenuga’s mum in Ibadan. Oba Adetona not only paid homage to the Adenugas in his book, but dedicated the book to her aunt along with the author’s mum and dad, writing: “To my aunt, Oyin Adenuga, the force behind my mother in her determination to see me educated.” And for Mike Adenuga, he wrote in the Acknowledgements: “Otunba Mike Adenuga (Jnr) has been unwavering in his support to the office.”
We all know the role Mike Adenuga and his company Glo played in elevating the Ojude Oba, the “trooping” colourful festival as one of the best cultural festivals in Africa. On his part, the late Awujale fought the authorities fiercely for unleashing EFCC on Mike Adenuga, breaking into his home and chasing him into exile based on wrong accusations about ownership and financing of Globacom when the documented truth was that he took a massive loan from the BNP Paribas Bank in France to establish the wave-making and game-changing telecoms company and brand Glo that gave Nigerians per-second billing. Over lunch in former President Obasanjo’s home, the late Awujale bluntly told the ex-President that Mike Adenuga was “a pawn in the crisis and he should be given the right to defend himself,” he writes in his book. “I reminded Obasanjo that he was no longer in office and he should back off in his pursuit of Mike. I went further to let him know that if Nuhu Ribadu did not desist from molesting Mike, I would go into the ring with them. Here I made it clear that I would take him and Ribadu head on if any attempt was made by Ribadu to unnecessarily and unjustifiably pursue Mike. Obasanjo promised to see Ribadu and to ask him to back off.” The full story of this movie-like epic is bluntly told in Awujale’s gripping, no-nonsense autobiography. Go and look for it!
Meanwhile, here is an abridged version of the last chapter titled: “Closing”. It reads like a farewell song. A swan song for the great Awujale who ascended the throne at 26 on April 2, 1960 and died at 91. May Kabiyesi’s soul find eternal peace and bliss, in God’s kingdom.
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I have, by the Grace of God, been fifty years now on the throne. How rapidly the years have passed! How swiftly the waters have flown past under the bridge! Like a newsreel, everything rolls past before my eyes now as I look back.
It seems like only yesterday, that sultry winter day in 1959 in London, when Mr. S.O. Shonibare walked into my life, to inform me of my potential selection as the next Awujale of Ijebuland.
Then, one afternoon in April of the following year, and a few months before the declaration of Nigerian Independence, I found myself decked in full royal regalia, sitting beside the then Premier of Western Region, Chief S.L.A. Akintola, with the crown on my head, waving to the enthusiastic crowd that had come to welcome me to the throne, pledging to lead them to an era of peace, unity, and development.
Later that night, totally inexperienced and oblivious of vast responsibilities which I had inherited as the newly crowned Oba of an ancient kingdom, I went to bed alone in the dingy chambers of the old aafin, my mind untroubled and at peace. How could I have known then the shape of things to come? How could anyone have foreseen the momentous events that would later shake the nation and bring us to where we are today?
But here I am, fifty years afterwards, sitting comfortably here in this office in a modern aafin built for their Awujale by my people. The nation has survived, even if still unsteady on its feet; the Ijebu people are at peace and are united; there has been remarkable progress in our land. All our sons and daughters claim their identity with new-found zeal and pride. I can beat my chest therefore today, and say that the pledge I made to my people on that day of my coronation has been largely fulfilled. We have gone through stress and distress, trials and tribulations, and we have triumphed. It is an amazing story. I am humbled by the success we have recorded through God’s benevolence, and by the gift He has given us, of a long life. This is something many of my contemporaries have not been able to enjoy.
In these long years, I have had time to reflect on the differences which the modern times have brought upon our traditional system of life, and especially on the institution of Obaship.
I became the Awujale at a tender age, when I was also poor and indigent. It took quite a while therefore, before I could really comprehend the responsibilities saddled upon me. Fortunately, there was a council to guide me, though I also had to learn very quickly and to be tough.
I became the Awujale as a bachelor. There were eyes on me. In the end, I found the right women and I married them. They are blessed with lovely kids.
Over time, in these 50 years, I have matured into the role. There were first, the formative years, then the turbulent years and finally, the years of steady sail and growth. After having been a Minister in the Western Region in the 1960s, served in Parliament, and being long in office, I have acquired some political experience and I have put my experience into use in helping to resolve current issues amongst political office holders.
It is important to state that I do not indulge in any undue romance with any government, whether at the local, state or federal level. I do not seek or take contracts from any of them. The electorate has the power to elect whoever they want into power. When this is done, that decision must be respected. Afterwards people should not expect the traditional rulers to help them chastise the elected political office holders. My view is that, once you have exercised your power to vote for them, you should not expect the Oba to stop the excesses of such political office holders for you. But of course, personally, if any politician comes to me for consultation, I do not know anything else to tell him than the truth; it will then be left to him to either take it or leave it.
I am happy to see that, in a rapidly changing country like ours, the traditional institution of Obaship has endured. I have adapted and preserved the continuity of the office. I have been very happy doing what I believe in, knowing fully well that I am ultimately responsible for my actions. My people have rallied round me and I wake up every day full of thanks for their loyalty and support. They have succeeded in making the Awujale a national exemplar. What they get in return is every inch of my breath in truth and in service. And this is what they will continue to get, as long as I remain on the throne.
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