Category: Society & Lifestyle

Contrary to the usual practice of placing caskets in an aircraft’s cargo hold, the body of former President Muhammadu Buhari was flown to Nigeria in the main cabin of a Nigerian Air Force jet.

The decision, it was gathered, followed the discovery that the casket could not fit into the aircraft’s cargo compartment.

Rather than resorting to the use of a body bag that would fit into the hold, handlers resolved to transport the casket in the aircraft’s cabin.

To make this possible, the front seats in the cabin were collapsed and tables unfolded to create a bed-like platform where the casket could be securely and respectfully laid.

A source said, “You would have noticed that the remains of the former President were not in the cargo hold, as is the standard procedure, but in the main cabin.

“The corpse was brought in a casket draped with the Nigerian flag. However, it could not fit into the aircraft’s hold, which isn’t designed for such items, and the British airport authorities wouldn’t budge due to safety concerns.

“So, to avoid using a body bag, it took considerable time and persuasion to properly wrap the remains and drape them in the national flag. The front seats were then collapsed and the tables unfolded to create a bed-like space for the remains to be tied down.”

As a mark of honour, a joint team of nine senior military officials served as pallbearers, laying the flag-draped casket on a trolley.

The team, coordinated by Maj Gen Mike Alechenu, included Maj Gen Mohammed Usman, Maj Gen Oluwafemi Williams, Maj Gen Shuaibu Nuhu, Rear Adm Suleiman Dahun, Rear Adm Jonathan Ajodo, Rear Adm Samuel Ngatuwa, Air Vice Marshal Adeniyi Amesinlola, Air Vice Marshal Idi Sanni, and Air Vice Marshal Obinna Obiabaka.

In a slow march synchronised with the hymn, “God Be With You Till We Meet Again,” the pallbearers wheeled the casket through a full military guard of honour comprising six officers and 96 soldiers drawn from the Nigerian Armed Forces.

President Bola Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima, former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and other dignitaries walked behind the trolley in a solemn procession.

The pallbearers then conveyed the casket into a waiting military hearse for the one-hour trip to Daura, where funeral prayers and interment took place.

The state funeral featured full military honours, including a 21-gun salute.

Earlier, Tinubu, accompanied by Vice President Shettima, received the casket at the foot of the aircraft.

Also present were President Umaro Sissoco Embaló of Guinea-Bissau; Niger Republic’s Prime Minister, Ali Mahaman Lamine Zeine; former Nigerien President Issoufou Mahamadou; and Buhari’s immediate past Vice President, Prof Osinbajo.

Tinubu had arrived at the Umaru Musa Yar’Adua International Airport, Katsina, at 1:42 pm, and inspected a guard of honour before the Nigerian Air Force jet conveying Buhari’s remains landed at exactly 1:51 pm.

A large crowd flooded Daura to pay their last respects, with many youths seen climbing trees for a glimpse of Buhari as he was laid to rest at his residence.

Aare Adetola Emmanuelking Mourns the Passing of the Awujale of Ijebulan

The Group Chairman of Adron Group, Sir Aare Adetola Emmanuelking KOF, has paid glowing tribute to the late Awujale and Paramount Ruler of Ijebuland, His Royal Majesty, Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona. He described his passing as the end of an era and the ascent of a legend into the realms of the immortals.

In a solemn and emotionally resonant message, he extolled the virtues of the late monarch, whom he described as a towering symbol of identity, unity, and pride for the Ijebu people and the Yoruba nation.

Oba Adetona, who died at the age of 91, reigned for an extraordinary 65 years, making him one of the longest-reigning monarchs in Nigerian history. His reign, according to Aare Adetola Emmanuelking, was not only notable for its longevity but for its profound impact on the cultural, social, and economic transformation of Ijebuland.

“His Royal Majesty reigned not merely by the sceptre, but by the rare power of vision, intellect, and integrity,” Aare Adetola stated. “He embodied royalty in its purest form, not as a relic of the past, but as a living force that shaped the present and laid the foundations of the future.”

Reflecting on the monarch’s legacy, the real estate mogul highlighted Oba Adetona’s role as a custodian of heritage, a voice of wisdom during national turbulence, and a bridge across generations. “He was not just a king, but a colossus, a living oracle whose words stirred minds and moved mountains,” he added.

Aare Adetola Emmanuelking further acknowledged the transformation of Ijebuland under the late monarch’s watch, noting that the ancient kingdom became a beacon of cultural pride, economic vibrancy, and progressive unity. “To be Ijebu was to be proud. To serve Ijebu was to be honourable. To be under his reign was to witness greatness firsthand,” he said.

Aare Adetola Emmanuelking expressed deep condolences to the royal family and the people of Ijebuland, urging them to lift their chins in pride, having been ruled by a legend. “Now, the lion sleeps, but his roar shall echo in eternity”, he added.

He prayed for the peaceful repose of the king’s soul and for his enduring legacy to continue inspiring generations to come.

The passing of HRM Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona marks the close of a remarkable chapter in Yoruba history, but as Aare Adetola Emmanuelking reminds the world, the light of the monarch’s legacy will forever illuminate the path ahead.

The Leader of the pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation, Chief Reuben Fasoranti, on Tuesday, described the late Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Adetona, as an exemplary monarch who made a significant positive impact during his 62-year reign.

He stated this in his tribute to the highly revered monarch, who joined his ancestors on Sunday, July 13, at the age of 91.

The National Publicity Secretary of the organisation, Jare Ajayi, in a statement in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, quoted Afenifere leader as saying that the late monarch was one of the Obas in Yorubaland who exalt the position of royalty.

Fasoranti disclosed that right from the time the late monarch started his public service in the defunct Western Region, his conduct on his return from the United Kingdom where he studied Accountancy and all through his years on the throne, the late Awujale led a life that is worthy of emulation in terms of integrity, focus and dedication to serving the people.

“The then Prince Adetona was crowned as Awujale on April 5, 1960.

“He became a member of the Western Region House of Chiefs immediately thereafter.

“Records have it that he conducted himself well just as he did when he headed various bodies, including the Traditional Rulers Council in Ogun State.”

The Afenifere leader recalled the patriotic role played by the monarch, particularly in the imbroglio brought about by the annulment of the June 12, 1993, election.

“His reign was characterised by wisdom, dexterity, an enlightened and admirable leadership style, commitment to the Yoruba cause and the national interests,” he added.

Also commending the late Oba’s dedication to the culture and tradition of Yorubaland, the statement recalled that his reign brought Ojude-Oba celebration not only to the limelight but made it a cynosure of everyone, including the international community.

He, therefore, commiserated with the Ogun State Government, the people of Ijebuland, Yorubaland, and the royalty in Nigeria, of which late Adetona was a distinguished member and prayed for his soul to rest in perfect peace.

On Sunday, July 13, 2025, a chapter closed in Ijebu royalty, as 91-year-old Awujale and Paramount Ruler of Ijebu land, Oba Sikiru Adetona, passed on, after reigning for 65 years.

On Monday, the deceased monarch was buried according to Islamic injunction at his Igbeba GRA residence.

Oba Adetona, who ascended the throne on April 2, 1960, at barely 26 years of age, succeeded Oba Daniel Adesanya, Gbelegbuwa II.

He was from the Anikilaya family, one of the royal ruling houses in Ijebu Ode.

With his passage after a very successful reign and his interment on Monday, attention shifted to the Fusengbuwa ruling house, which is the next ruling house to produce the successor to the late Awujale.

It was gathered that many members of the ruling house eyeing the exalted throne have been making moves to enhance their visibility within their respective royal family.

The PUNCH gathered that the next ruling house, which is the Fusengbuwa, consists of four ruling houses: Jadiara, being the eldest followed by Fusengbuwa, Bubiade and then Tunwase.

The four royal families have the right to present candidates to contest for the Awujale’s throne as soon as the government gives the green light.

The royal families were said to have waited for this time to produce the next custodian of the Ijebu land cultural heritage.

Speaking with our correspondent on Monday after the burial of Oba Adetona, the Secretary of Tunwase ruling house and Under-Secretary of Fusengbuwa ruling house, Prince Kazeem Ahmed, confirmed that some members of the family were already warming up to start from where the late monarch left it off.

Prince Ahmed said that even before the demise of the Awujale, some members of the ruling family who had shown interest in the throne never hid their intentions.

“We have four royal houses and they are Jadiara, being the eldest followed by Fusengbuwa, Bubiade and then Tunwase.

“After the mourning of our highly revered king who has just been interred, this could be three months or more, people who have an interest in becoming the next Awujale from the four ruling houses of Fusengbuwa, Jadiara, Tunwase and Bubiade will begin to make known their intentions.

“We shall then take a look at those who have shown their intentions, check out their characters and influence in the community before we recommend them to the kingmakers.

“We have been seeing some of them showing interest before the demise of the king. Many people don’t want interregnum, so, left for me, I would suggest that maybe after we mourn the king for four months, then the floor can be declared open in preparation for the next king.

“We will have many people who will declare interest, but the family committee will prune and screen them down to a sizeable number of candidates to be presented to the kingmakers,” he said.

Another ranking chief from the palace, whose reaction was sought on the selection of the next Awujale, said it was too early to begin to talk about getting a replacement for the late monarch when the entire Ijebu land was still mourning the passage of the highly revered traditional ruler.

The palace chief who spoke anonymously to our correspondent, however, said the next Awujale would have the challenge of matching up to the exemplary leadership shown by Oba Adetona.

He added that he was sure that the system would not be allowed to throw up just anybody who would not consolidate on several developmental strides and efforts of the late monarch.

Pending the emergence of the new Awujale, the Ogbeni Oja of Ijebu land, Olorogun Sunny Kuku, is to hold forth as the reagent and temporary Awujale.

He would see to the day-to-day administration of Ijebu land and help coordinate and midwife the process of emergence of the next Awujale.