The late Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Adetona, who passed away on Sunday, July 13, 2025, at the age of 91, was laid to rest the following day in accordance with Islamic rites.
His burial has since sparked significant discourse across the Yoruba traditional landscape, particularly regarding the rites accorded to monarchs after death.
During the burial, security operatives, including soldiers, were deployed to ensure that traditionalists did not interfere with the process.
This move was in line with the late monarch’s explicit instruction that his burial should follow Islamic traditions.
Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State, speaking at the event, reaffirmed that Oba Adetona had made his burial wishes known well before his passing.
The manner in which the Awujale was buried has been widely praised, particularly by the Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdulrosheed Akanbi, who hailed the process as a landmark liberation for the Yoruba traditional institution.
In his view, the dignified burial of Oba Adetona represents a crucial step towards restoring respect, sanctity, and honour to Yoruba kingship, both in life and in death.
Oba Akanbi expressed his satisfaction that the late Awujale was not subjected to any form of mutilation or desecration, which, according to him, is akin to the treatment of animals by butchers.
Speaking through his Press Secretary, Alli Ibraheem, the Oluwo lauded the courage of the Awujale’s family, Governor Abiodun, and the Ogun State Attorney General, Oluwasina Ogungbade (SAN), for ensuring that the monarch’s burial adhered to his wishes.
“The determination shown by the family of the late Awujale, the Ogun State Governor, and the Attorney General is commendable,” Oba Akanbi said.
“Their actions have not only honoured Oba Adetona’s wishes but have also set a foundation for protecting the dignity of Yoruba traditional stools.”
He emphasized that kings, who are servants to their subjects, deserve to be honoured not only during their reign but even in death.
“Honour does not end with life. A king’s dignity should be preserved up to the grave and beyond. Subjecting a monarch to mutilation after death is an insult to the stool and the people it represents,” he noted.
The Oluwo warned against the continued influence of secret societies in royal affairs, particularly in burial customs. He challenged any community still insisting on such practices to rather appoint an herbalist, Osugbo, or Ogboni as their king.
“Any town that prefers its king to be butchered after death should enthrone an herbalist or a cult member,” he remarked critically.
Oba Akanbi described the Awujale’s burial as a personal and collective victory for the Yoruba race and for himself, adding that it signifies the emancipation of Yoruba monarchs from both physical and spiritual oppression traditionally associated with their transition.
“The process adopted in burying the late Awujale has protected the sanctity of the Yoruba traditional institution. It has also sent a clear message that the dignity of kings must not be compromised by secret groups or outdated traditions,” the Oluwo asserted.
He further advocated that burial arrangements for Yoruba monarchs should be determined by the expressed wishes of the king while alive, or decided by the family after his passing.
“No secret cult or group should have the power to hijack the corpse of any monarch against the family’s will,” he declared.
Reflecting on his own reign, Oba Akanbi recalled that since his ascension to the throne a decade ago, he has worked tirelessly to liberate the Oluwo stool from the grip of secret societies.
“In Iwo, I have emancipated the monarchy from any such bondage. The Osugbos and Ogbonis have no authority over the Oluwo or the throne of Iwo. Any attempt to enslave the stool will be perpetually resisted by my reign and by the will of my people,” he affirmed.
The Oluwo concluded by expressing confidence that the people of Iwo will uphold this legacy of independence and dignity even after his demise.
“I have freed my town, and I trust that even after I am gone, the people of Iwo will never permit any form of absurdity or subjugation of our royal institution,” he said.