Dr Adedipe Dauda Ewenla mourns Awujale, Buhari
- Bayo Adetu
- July 14, 2025
- NEWS
- Dr Adedipe Dauda Ewenla
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The Akinjagunla Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland, Prince (Dr) Adedipe Dauda Ewenla has mourned the passing of Oba Sikiru Adetona, the Awujale of Ijebuland, and former president Muhammadu Buhari.
Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona, the Awujale of Ijebuland joined his ancestors on Sunday, July 13, 2025, at the age of 91, just hours after the death announcement of his longtime friend, former President Muhammadu Buhari.
He had reigned since April 2, 1960, making him one of Nigeria’s longest‑serving monarchs.
The longtime friend of former President Muhammadu Buhari was reported to have joined his ancestors just hours after Buhari’s death was announced.
In a statement, Dr Ewenla said “It is with profound sorrow and a deeply reflective heart that we receive the news of the passing of two towering figures of our time: His Royal Majesty, Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona, the Awujale of Ijebuland, who joined his ancestors at the age of 91 years, and former President Muhammadu Buhari, who departed this world at the age of 82 years.
“While some might regard these years as evidence of a life well-lived, I stand, with all sense of conviction, to say that both of these distinguished men were, in truth, too young to die and to join the realm of our revered ancestors. In our cultural understanding and spiritual yearning, true old age worthy of transitioning to the ancestral plane should begin from 120 years and above. It is then and only then that we can truly say a man has exhausted his God-given span on earth.
“Their untimely departure is not just a loss to their immediate families or their communities; it is a collective wound to our nation and indeed humanity at large. In them, we had custodians of history, living witnesses to the trials and triumphs of Nigeria, and fountains of rare wisdom whose counsel could still have guided us through these complex times.
“Therefore, with the deepest humility and sincerity, we plead before Almighty God: we do not want to continue burying men and women whose years, though many by human standards, remain too few in the divine design. We plead, O Lord, that You extend the lifespan of our elders, our leaders, and our culture bearers not only in Nigeria but everywhere across the world. Grant them health, strength, and the grace to remain with us, so that generations yet unborn may still drink from their well of experience and leadership.
“Let us cherish the legacies these great men have left behind; but let us also pray fervently that the days of losing our elders at “young” ages of 82, 91 or even 100 shall give way to a new era where men and women live beyond 120 years in service, dignity, and peace.”
