|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
Tinubu honors Ogun Monarch with second highest National Honour at 90th birthday celebration
President Bola Tinubu bestowed the second highest national honour of Grand Commander of Order of Nigeria on the Awujale and paramount ruler of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Adetona esteemed monarch for his exceptional contributions to national development.
Tinubu bestowed the honour at the 90th birthday celebration of the paramount ruler.
The prestigious event took place at the Oba Sikiru Adetona School of Governance, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State, where President Tinubu, represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, paid tribute to Oba Sikiru Adetona’s invaluable impact on Nigeria’s growth and progress.
In addition to honoring Awujale with the esteemed title, President Tinubu announced the transfer of management of the Oba Sikiru Adetona School of Governance to the National Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies, Kuru, Jos, following the royal father’s generous donation to the university.
Praising Awujale as a remarkable leader and champion of democracy, the President commended his unwavering dedication to the nation’s development and highlighted his widespread admiration for upholding integrity and courage in the face of challenges.
The celebration also featured the debut of a book titled “Reinventing Governance in Nigeria: The Oba (Dr) Sikiru Kayode Adetona Model” and the delivery of the Oba Sikiru Annual Professorial Chair lecture by Prof Akinsola Agagu, underscoring the monarch’s profound influence and legacy in governance.
READ ALSO: Tinubu confers MON titles on Super Eagles players in Abuja
Agagu spoke on “Changing Nigeria’s Governance Narratives”.
Speaking on the monarch, Tinubu said, “Kabiyesi Adetona deserves all the accolades we can accord him because he earned them.
“In the last 64 years, Kabiyesi had served the people of Ijebuland with a clear vision and rare dedication. It is not surprising that his kingdom and people have continued to thrive.
“While we rejoice with the highly revered Oba Adetona today, it is important to say that what we are celebrating is much more than his 90th birthday. In Oba Adetona, we are celebrating courage, dignity, honour and a life that is only committed to duty and service.
“In times of adversity, Oba Adetona showed kingly and firm character. He stood his ground and confronted oppression during our struggle for the restoration of democratic rule between 1992 and 1999.
‘If democracy is blossoming in our country today it is because patriarchs like Oba Adetona stood on the side of the people”
He disclosed that as a result of many years of meritorious service to the country and humanity, “the Federal Government has decided to bestow the second highest national honour of Grand Commander of Order of Nigeria, on Oba Adetona as a reward for his selfless service to the fatherland.”
Speaking earlier, the Governor of Ogun State, Dapo Abiodun, described the paramount ruler as a bundle of talent, and an incorruptible monarch who is fiercely committed to justice, fairness and upliftment of the nation.
Abiodun celebrated Oba Adetona for being a foremost promoter of religious tolerance and peaceful coexistence saying that his legendary acts of giving and various philanthropic activities have always made him to be such a rare royal father.
He said the 90-year-old monarch represents the beauty and candour of the unrivalled and ancestral heritage of the Ijebu nation praying the Almighty God to further preserve the traditional ruler for many more years to come.
The programme had in attendance former President Olusegun Obasanjo and his wife, Mrs Bola Obasanjo, Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State, Chief of Staff to the President, Rt. Hon Femi Gbajabiamila, Former Governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, Former Governors of Ogun State; Chief Olusegun Osoba, Sen Gbenga Daniel as well as Sen Ibikunle Amosun.
Follow the Neptune Prime channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va74ZvU2v1IqKByXoX3d
Do you have breaking news, interview request, opinion, suggestion, or want your event covered? Email us at neptuneprime2233@gmail.com
