From Laide Raheem, Abeokuta
The Emir of Kano, Alhaji Aminu Ado-Bayero, on Wednesday, paid a royal visit to the Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona, to felicitate with the royal father on the celebration of his 64 years on the throne and 90th birthday he celebrated recently.
The Emir of Kano who was accompanied on the visit by some members of the Emirate Council, was received at the GRA Ijebu Ode private residence of Awujale by Oba Adetona and members of Ijebu Traditional Council.
Speaking, Alhaji Bayero apologized for his inability to attend the dual celebration of the 90th birthday and 64th coronation anniversary of Awujale as he was out of the country, hence, his decision to pay the visit.
He described the Awujale as a very close friend of his late father and Emir of Kano, Alhaji Abdullahi Ado-Bayero, noting that the closeness of the two royal families has fostered strong bonds and unity across Niger.
The Emir, who noted that the monarch he referred to as “father” has epitomized astute leadership and attracted socio-economic and cultural development to Ijebuland, said he would continue to draw from the wisdom and drink from the fountain of knowledge of Awujale.
While saying that Nigeria needs an “elder” such as the nonagenarian monarch, Alhaji Ado-Bayero prayed for a long life and good health for the Awujale, submitting that he would always defer to him in order to continue to gain from his wealth of experience.
“I grew up to hear my father, the late Ado Bayero always calling Kabiyesi Awujale my brother, so the brother of my father is my father. This is a royal father who has been on the throne for 64 years, so Awujale is an enigma. He is a royal father with a difference and whose reign has no doubt been a blessing not only to Ijebu land but Nigeria as a whole. Certainly, Kano and Ijebuland share the same similarities in terms of the people being business-oriented. Both Kano and Ijebu are known for commerce and our relationships are dated back in the years.
“So I am here to pay my homage as the Kabiyesi celebrated his 64 years on the throne and 90th birthday. I should have been here during the celebration but I was outside the country. I will consider this visit a blessing to me because I have just been on the throne for about three to four years and for us younger generations, I believe that the blessing I will receive here today will strengthen me for the journey ahead. I wish our royal father many more years of peaceful reign.
“And like I said, this visit is to further strengthen the long years of relationship between my late father who reigned for 51 years and Awujale, and I will also be back in August for another visit. I pray the Almighty God will further preserve our father, the Awujale for many more years”. Alhaji Ado-Bayero stated.
Responding, Oba Adetona expressed delight at the visit by the Emir and his entourage, to felicitate him on his belated birthday and 64th coronation anniversary.
He went down memory lane and relived the cordial relationship that existed between the late Emir Ado-Bayero, whom he described as a “brother”.
The Awujale informed his visitors that his long reign on the throne of his forebears has helped in evolving the stool of Awujale as well as building a strong and united Ijebuland.
In his remarks, the Ogun State governor, Dapo Abiodun, represented by the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Ganiyu Hamzat, said that the visit marks a significant milestone in the unity and ethnic bonding in the country.
The governor who thanked the Emir for visiting a revered royal father in the state, said that the positive contributions of Awujale to the socio-cultural development of his domain and Ogun State cannot be overemphasized.