The Awujale and Paramount Ruler of Ijebu land, Alayeluwa Oba Dr. Sikiru Kayode Adetona GCON, paid a courtesy visit to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu today at his residence in Ikoyi, Lagos.
The visit was a reciprocal gesture following the conferring of the second-highest national honour, the Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON), on the Awujale by the President on May 10, 2023. In a statement from the Aafin Awujale, signed by the Onigegewura Akile Ijebu, Aremo Tunde Oladunjoye, the monarch expressed his deep appreciation to President Tinubu and the federal government for the prestigious award.
“The conferment of the GCON on me was a great honour, and I am truly grateful to the President and the Federal Government,” Awujale said during the visit.
The GCON was awarded to the Awujale during a celebration marking his 90th birthday and 64 years on the throne as Nigeria’s longest-reigning first-class monarch. Although President Tinubu was represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima at the ceremony, today’s private visit allowed Awujale to personally thank the President.
In a historical note, it was during President Tinubu’s presidential campaign that he began his nationwide consultations from the Awujale’s palace in Ijebu Ode. True to his word, upon emerging as President, he visited the Awujale as promised, to express gratitude to the revered monarch.
The visit, held behind closed doors, saw both leaders engage in a cordial conversation.
