President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Friday conferred the second highest national honour of the Grand Commander of the Order of Niger, GCON, on the Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Adetona, on his 90th Birthday celebration.
The honour was contained in a statement announced by the President at the Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State. The event was the commissioning of the Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona School of Governance Studies and the presentation of a book titled; “Reinventing Governance in Nigeria: The Oba (Dr.) Sikiru Kayode Adetona Model.”
Tinubu who was represented by the Vice President, Kashim Shettima, said the monarch deserves the second highest honour in the land. This is because of his contributions to nation-building and meritorious service to humanity.
The statement read in Part, “Because Kabiyesi Adetona has honoured our country and humanity with his many years of meritorious service, I, therefore, on this occasion of his 90th birthday ceremony confer on him the second highest National honour of Grand Commander of the Order of Niger (GCON).
“The National Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies, Kuru, Jos, will be asked to take over the running and management of Oba Sikiru Adetona School of Governance Studies.”
Tinubu stated that the numerous contributions of Adetona to national development, particularly in the education sector have not gone unnoticed. He stressed that the Oba has expanded the sector to optimal delivery through various donations and endowments.
The President described Adetona as a forthright man with exceptional character. Who has stood his ground and confronted injustice in all ramifications.
Tinubu, therefore, commended him for his role in ensuring the return of democratic governance in Nigeria.
President Tinubu stated that Oba Sikiru Adetona School of Governance Studies would be taken over and managed by the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Kuru, Jos.
In his remarks, the Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, described Oba Adetona as a living legend. A phenomenon whose reign has been a monumental success. He described him as the pride to the entire Ijebuland and the State at large.
According to Abiodun, Adetona represents the beauty and the candour of the ancestral heritage of the Ijebu people. The Governor emphasized that Adetona’s passion for governance and accessible commitment to education led him to institute. The Oba Sikiru Adetona Professorial Chair in Governance in the Department of Political Science of Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU), Ago-Iwoye.
“This initiative has led and given birth to the establishment of the world-class Oba Sikiru Adetona School of Governance.
He described that as the first of its kind in Sub-Saharan Africa.
“He championed the Ijebu Development Board on Poverty Eradication that has become a model in the entire country,” Abiodun said.
source: Channels TV
