ODOGBOLU – The Chairman of Odogbolu Local Government, Hon (Dr.) Babatunde Oyetola Diya has released a poignant tribute in memory of the revered Awujale and Paramount Ruler of Ijebuland, His Royal Majesty, Alayeluwa Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona, GCON, JP, Ogbagba II (1934–2025), who passed away on July 13, 2025.
In a deeply personal statement titled “A TRIBUTE FROM A GRATEFUL SON OF DESTINY,” Dr. Diya recounted the late monarch’s courageous stand for his family during a period of intense national crisis.
“The news of your passing struck not just a chord of sorrow—it awakened the deepest vaults of memory, honour, and gratitude in me,” Dr. Diya began, expressing the profound impact of Oba Adetona’s demise. He particularly highlighted the Awujale’s unwavering support for his father, General Oladipo Diya, during what he described as “one of Nigeria’s darkest political seasons.”
Dr. Diya recalled a time when many abandoned his family, stating, “When my father, General Oladipo Diya, stood at the crossroads of persecution during one of Nigeria’s darkest political seasons, many chose silence. Many walked away. But Your Majesty, you stood firm. You raised your royal voice not for favour or fame, but for justice—for truth.” He emphasised the comfort, light, and protection the Awujale provided, asserting that Oba Adetona reminded the world that “the Ijebu people do not turn their backs on their own.”
The Odogbolu LG Chairman affirmed his family’s perpetual gratitude: “My family will never forget.” He connected his current role to the legacy of the late monarch, stating, “Today, as I serve as the Chairman of Odogbolu Local Government, I do so bearing not only the name of my father but also the legacy of a king who stood by us in our greatest trial. Your courage paved the way for our restoration. Your honour preserved our dignity. Your love made room for our future.”
Dr. Diya praised Oba Adetona’s character, describing him as “more than a monarch; you were a moral compass in a time of turbulence. You were a shield when the winds howled and a pillar when the roof shook. Your reign defined nobility in its highest form—not just in regalia, but in righteousness.”
He concluded his heartfelt tribute by acknowledging his personal debt to the late king: “I mourn you not only as a subject of Ijebuland but as a son whose destiny you helped preserve. I carry that gratitude in my heart, and in my service, I pledge to uphold the values you embodied—justice, truth, and loyalty.”
“Your voice may be still, but your legacy thunders on. Your body may rest, but your spirit stands watch. The Iroko has fallen, but its shade shall cover us for generations,” Dr. Diya wrote, before offering a final farewell. “Rest well, Kabiyesi. You stood for us—now we rise in your honour. On behalf of the Diya family and the people of Odogbolu Local Government, we say: Thank you, and farewell, our royal father.”
The tribute, signed by Hon (Dr.) Babatunde Oyetola Diya, Executive Chairman, Odogbolu Local Government, Ogun State, underscores the deep reverence and personal gratitude felt towards the departed monarch across Ijebuland and beyond.
