By Lukman Olabiyi
Prince Adedire Adetona is the first son of Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona. In this interview with a select group of journalists, Prince Adetona spoke about life as a blue blood, the values instilled in him by his father, paramount ruler of all Ijebu people, the unique blend of tradition and modernity that defines Ijebu heritage and the weight of carrying a royal legacy.
He also speaks about his personal challenges and the annual Ojude Oba festival.
Who is Prince Adedire Adetona?
I am the first child of Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona, the Awujale of Ijebu land. I am above sixty years old. I have four kids: Adedoyin, Adadapo, Adebusola and Adebanke, and I am married to Olori Oluwatosin Adetona.
Tell us about your educational background?
I had my elementary education in Ijebu Ode at Luba Primary School. From Luba Primary School, I spent two years then to Adeola and then to Millfield School in England and from there I went to Dublin to do my “A levels”. I later went to University of Maiduguri to do my degree and I also trained with KPMG as an audit clerk. I have been doing business in construction, investment company and real estate.
What are those experiences that are challenging and memorable to you as a prince?
When I had my first child Doyin, I was very happy. Another memorable day in my life was when my father was sick and was almost dead and he came back alive.
The whole of Ogun State, the whole of Ijebu people came out. When he got to the centre of Ijebu, the people asked him to get down from his car. People walked from Sagamu Toll Gate to Ijebu Ode with him.
He had to come down from his car and walk among his people to tell the world that he was alive. It was a remarkable day, the crowd was huge, the excitement was huge and the jubilation was great. And as a son, I stood afar as I witnessed this. I felt loved.
As the first child and first son, what are the lessons you have learnt from the Awujale?
I learnt character. Whether negative or positive, you must have a clear character. In every situation, I have imbibed how to behave. All my life I have learned to manage expectations.
Any regret being a royal son?
Not at all. My father shields us from any of those regrets.
At 91, Awujale is known to have a very sharp memory, an upright and very tough monarch. Have you ever experienced that part of his toughness?
Certainly yes. My father is an upright person, very detailed. You don’t have to remind him about what concerns him; he is always on top of his game, he does not want to involve himself in controversies, he does not like the stage all the time, he operates quietly, he is a blessed man, well blessed.
There is the saying that royalty is full of problems. Have you ever experienced some problems of any kind?
Yes, as a human being, occasionally you have a taste of what it takes to live in life.
Could you share some of that with us?
I went to the most expensive school in the world then, the Millfield School in England. It was the most expensive school in the world in the late 70s and 80s, according to the Guinness Book of Records. And can you imagine being not doing well in school and they dropped you with four Ankara buba and Sokoto (Native dress) in a flat in Lawson area of Lagos for eight years. I came out of that challenge. That is exactly why I am who I am today. I had to join buses from Lawson to where I need to go without money. Then, I would claim to be a staff whenever I boarded a bus.
From Millfield School in England to Maiduguri. It was hardship. You are talking about the hottest weather in Nigeria. But I adjusted and dealt with the issues.
From the experiences gathered during your low moments, what tips do you think are necessary for somebody to be successful in life?
Dream big and determine to go without looking back. Success for me is the ability to rise whenever you fall. Success is not the riches, it is not the houses but the ability to rise when you fall. That is the usual saying of my friend, Asiwaju Babasola Adebajo.
Let’s talk about the Ojude Oba festival. It’s been going on for decades. And every year, whether it is on a public holiday or not, the festival naturally shuts down the whole of Ijebu land. Why is that?
Ojude Oba is the only festival that unites the Ijebus. We look at the prospect every year, particularly the commercial aspect of it and we make sure it improves every year. It becomes bigger and bigger every year because of the combination of the three major genres: paying homage to the royalty, there is the Regberegbe (Age groups) and the Balogun families. Those are the three major vocal points of Ojude Oba that has made it a successful fiesta. There is still room for improvement which I believe people are looking at and exploring it so that they can widen the commercial net for it and take good advantage of it when necessary. Ojude Oba has come to stay and I noticed people are now copying the template in their various towns and communities.
Ojude Oba is around the corner. What is the new thing coming out of Ojude Oba this time around?
It is going to be more exciting this time because we are on the verge of getting Ijebu State. So the excitement will be there. The expectations are high. There is going to be a lot of joy, in anticipation of Ijebu State. My people are looking forward to it.
Can you speak the Ijebu dialect?
Yes of course, very well because that is my first love. You can’t separate my royalty from my personality, I am both all rolled into one and I have my experiences moulding me as I go along in life.
Where do you see Ijebu Ode in the next few years?
With the debate on the new state going on, if we are given, I pray that we get it as planned and I pray that my father lives to witness it. I pray that the state be administered by a thoroughbred technocrat. I see Ijebu going places because we are quite an endowed people. From our understanding, a typical Ijebu man is a potential entrepreneur and that has been our strength as a people.
Many believe that the Yoruba language is gradually going into extinction because many of the young generation of today could not speak the language. Even in our homes, most people speak English language. What is your views on this?
Well, let me ask you to look around this house. What do you see? Pictures of my ancestors. You see pictures of my father, the Awujale when he received the certificate for the throne. The ones you see on the wall was the original certificate given to him by the government. You see pictures of my maternal grandparents. So what that implies is that as a prince, I am committed to royalty and it is that stool that made me who I am today. I preserve the traditional institution, culture and as the longest reigning crown prince in the world, I believe it is my duty to preserve the culture of the Yoruba.
What is your message for the new generation of today on how to sustain Yoruba language?
It is our duty to preserve our language. For instance, England is the only country in the world where the social stratification is clearly stated. I am culturally aware that it is my duty to preserve the culture of the Yoruba to continue to enjoy the benefits of a royal prince. Therefore, I must embrace my culture.
How do you feel when you hear stories of traditional rulers being involved in uncharitable acts, that have even led to imprisonment?
I feel pained because it disvalues my pedigree and the reason for this, as far as I am concerned, is that in some places the process of getting enthroned to a traditional stool is heavily commercialised. When the process is being abused that is what you get.
If I may advise, the kingmakers or the Afobajes, whenever it is time to appoint an Oba in a town, they should be mindful of their roles. They should be mindful of their positions and representations, especially, on the selection and appointment of an Oba.
A king is chosen by God. However, those saddled with the responsibility must do it with the fear of God and they should be fair enough to know that they are the representatives of the people of the town.
Do you believe there should be constitutional roles for traditional rulers?
I believe there should be constitutional roles for traditional rulers but it should be limited to the first class Obas, not all of them.
Do you have anything to tell your Ijebu people?
They have added value to me. Without them, we might not be where we are today. Like I said, I don’t know anything aside royalty.
If I get to anywhere, I am given a place to sit. It is because I am a prince. So, I respect my people that they cooperate with my father. I respect them, I love them and I pray for more understanding between my father and his people and pray to God to give my father long life and good health.