The Awujale and Paramount Ruler of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Adetona, has celebrated his 60th anniversary on the reverred throne.
The monarch was born in 1934 to the family of Prince Rufai Adetona and Alhaja Ajibabi Adetona (nee Onashile).
Oba Adetona was enthroned as the Awujale of Ijebu Kingdom on April 2, 1960 at age 26.
He is Nigeria’s longest-reigning monarch at age 85.
President Muhammadu Buhari, on Thursday, felicitated with the monarch.
In a statement by the president’s spokesman, Femi Adesina, Buhari joined indigenes of Ijebuland, government and people of Ogun State in celebrating the milestone.
He lauded the octogenarian for upholding the history and tradition of his forefathers, especially the highly organised political, economic and social structures that preceded many civilisations in Africa.
He affirmed that Adetona’s exposure, knowledge and charisma before ascending the position deeply impacted and expanded the influence of the domain such that many other traditional rulers and state governments relied on him for counselling.
The president expressed satisfaction that the wisdom, warmth and friendliness of the monarch had also translated into peace and civility in his domain.
The entrepreneurial monarch attended Baptist School, Ereko, Ijebu Ode; Ogbere United Primary School, Oke Agbo Ijebu; and Ansar-Ud-Deen School, Ijebu Ode between 1943 and 1950.
His secondary education was at Olu-Iwa College (later merged with Ijebu-Ode Secondary Commercial School into Adeola Odutola College), Ijebu-Ode, from 1951 to 1956.
He is a recipient of several honorary degrees including the Doctor of Law (LL.D) from the University of Technology, Yola; and Doctor of Civil Law (D.CL) from Ogun State University, now Olabisi Onabanjo University.
Oba Adetona was chairman of Ogun State Council of Traditional Rulers and also served as Special Envoy to South Africa.
