Sultan of Sokoto pays condolence visit to late awujale’s family in Ijebu-Ode

Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, Sultan of Sokoto, has visited thefamily of Sikiru Adetona, the late Awujale of Ijebuland, in Ijebu-Ode, Ogunstate. Abubakar, who arrived in the south-west on Thursday for thecoronation of Rashidi Ladoja, the 44th Olubadan of Ibadanland, visited theAdetona family on Saturday. He was accompanied by Rasaki Oladejo, president of theMuslim Ummah of South West Nigeria (MUSWEN), and other Muslim leaders. On arrival, Abubakar was received by Saud Adedire Adetona,heir of the royal family. The monarch also proceeded to the tomb of the late Awujalewho died on July 13 at the age of 91. The sultan was later hosted to a modest but elaboratereception attended by Ijebu leaders, including Sonny Folorunso Kuku, regent ofIjebuland; Kunle Hassan, olori omo oba of Ijebuland; and several others. In a welcome address, Kuku recalled his connection with thesultan as alumni of King’s College, Lagos, and Barewa College, Zaria. “It is with great honour and reverence that I, as chairmanof the Awujale Interregnum Administrative Council, extend a warm welcome to youto Ijebuland,” he said in a statement. “Your presence here today is a testament to the strong bondsof brotherhood and solidarity that exist between our communities. “We are deeply touched by your decision to pay a condolencevisit to the royal family of our late Awujale and the people of Ijebuland. Youreminence’s gesture demonstrates your commitment to fostering unity and peaceamong Nigerians, transcending religious and cultural divides. “We pray that Allah grants you safe travels and accepts yourcondolences. We also appreciate your continued prayers for the repose of thesoul of our departed monarch. “Please, accept our heartfelt gratitude for your visit. Welook forward to your valuable insights and blessings during your stay with us.” In his remarks, Abubakar described the late awujale as a“brother and friend” and urged continuous prayers for him. “Let’s continue to pray for him anytime we findopportunity,” he said. “When we do offer our daily prayers as Muslims, our fivedaily prayers, prayers on Jumuah, because that’s what we normally do for ourleaders. Because they have left their part in the world. They have gone andit’s left for us to continue to be on what they have left behind for us. Andtruly, the void aspect on what they have left for us. “We thank Almighty Allah for his blessing and for bringingus together this afternoon as members of one big family. And I said one bigfamily because I also belong to Awujale family. “I must first recognise the mothers of this family, the Olorispresent and then the other family members. On my right hand side, my own verygood friend (Kuku), despite the King’s College, somebody I’ve known for so manyyears, even before I became Sultan because of the famous ever hospital. “Other distinguished members of the Awujale and otherbrothers and sisters here, I greet you in the best form of greeting.” The sultan also called for peace before, during, and afterthe process of selecting a new awujale. “Let’s try to be the best we can be. Let’s do what webelieve will bring peace to our community, to our countries, and of course, toour personal lives as families,” he said. “We believe the family is a very important unit. And everydevelopment starts from a family and alhamdulillahi, this family has been agood family so far and I urge them to continue to reach out to one another,reach out to all of us, so that we have peace.”

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