President Bola Tinubu is billed to commission the multibillion-naira Oba Sikiru Adetona School of Governance for Postgraduate Studies and Research at the Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State.
The commissioning is part of the activities lined up to celebrate the 90th birthday and 64th coronation anniversary of the respected monarch, who is the Awujale of Ijebuland.
The Chairman of the Central Planning Committee for the auspicious celebration, Kunle Hassan, stated this at a press briefing held at the Awujale’s palace in Ijebu Ode.
Other dignitaries at the briefing were the Chairman of Ijebu Ode Local Government, Tunde Emilola-Gazal; Fassy Yusuf, Segun Akinsanya, Yusuf Adesanya, and Oluranti Osifeso.
Describing the royal father as a rare patriot and nationalist of the highest order, Hassan noted that his reign had brought monumental success (to the town), adding that he would forever remain a source of pride and inspiration for the African continent.
He also stated that Oba Adetona, who ascended the throne on April 2, 1960, six months before the country’s Independence from the United Kingdom, ‘represents the totality of the worthy ancestral heritage of a people that have carved a niche for themselves in governance’.
He added that he was not surprised when the monarch, shortly after his 80th birthday, endowed the Oba (Dr.) Sikiru Kayode Adetona Professorial Chair in Governance at the Department of Political Science of Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye.
He continued, “This endeavour has led to the establishment of the School of Governance for Postgraduate and Research Studies in Governance in OOU.
“The multi-billion naira iconic project is expected to be commissioned by President Bola Tinubu, as part of activities to mark the 90th birthday anniversary of the first-class king on Friday, May 10, 2024.
“The programme will also feature the 2024 edition of the Oba Adetona Professorial Chair Lecture on Governance, presentation of a book titled, Reinventing Governance in Nigeria: The Oba (Dr.) Sikiru Kayode Adetona model; a documentary on the king, and the commissioning of the school of governance.”
Hassan added that the grand finale of the events will hold on Saturday, May 11, 2024, at the Dipo Dina International Stadium, Ijebu Ode.
He added that some of the indelible achievements of Oba Adetona included the building of an ultra-modern palace, construction of the Ojude-Oba Pavilion, reengineering of Ijebu Age Grade (regberegbe) system, establishment of Ijebu Development Board on Poverty Reduction, passage of a bill which allowed for traditional rulers to be installed and buried according to their religious beliefs.
