Ijebu-Ode, July 18, 2025 —
A group of Isese traditional worshippers in Ogun State has expressed deep dissatisfaction over the reported exclusion of customary rites in the burial proceedings of the late Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona.
The revered monarch, who passed away recently at the age of 90, was laid to rest in a private ceremony attended by dignitaries from across the country. However, the absence of traditional burial rituals central to Yoruba monarchical transitions has drawn criticism from custodians of the Isese faith.
Speaking on behalf of the aggrieved worshippers, Chief Ifasola Olaniyan, a high priest of the Ijebuland traditional council, described the omission of indigenous rites as a “cultural misstep” and a disregard for the ancestral order that governs the passing of a royal figure.
“Oba Adetona was not just a political leader but a spiritual symbol of our heritage. It is disheartening that his burial did not include the traditional rites expected of a monarch of his stature. This is a departure from Ijebuland’s sacred customs,” Olaniyan stated.
He warned that failure to observe the rites could have spiritual consequences for the land and urged relevant authorities to allow the traditional institution to fulfil its cultural responsibilities without interference.
Sources close to the palace disclosed that the burial followed a more modern format, in line with the late monarch’s personal wishes and family decisions. However, this has ignited a debate over the balance between individual rights, religious beliefs, and age-long cultural practices.
The Ogun State Government has yet to issue an official statement on the controversy, but palace insiders insist that the arrangements were in line with the Awujale’s will.
As traditionalists continue to demand an opportunity to conduct final rites in accordance with Isese customs, public opinion remains divided—highlighting the ongoing tension between modernity and tradition in Nigeria’s royal institutions.
