From Tafawa-Balewa to Tinubu: Oba Adetona, the Awujale who reigned with 16 Commanders-in-Chief, by Gabriel Akinadewo

When Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona, the Awujale of Ijebuland, who died on July 13, ascended the throne of his forefathers in 1960, the late Prime Minister, Sir Abubakar Tafawa-Balewa, was Nigeria’s Commander-in-Chief.
That was the year Nigeria lowered the Union Jack and hoisted the Green-White-Green as our flag – the Year of our Independence from Britain.

Oba Adetona reigned for 65 years, with all the 16 Commanders-in-Chief from Independence, till last Sunday when he joined his ancestors.
Below is the list:
1. Alhaji Abubakar Tafawa-Balewa (till 1966).
2. Major-General Johnson Thomas Umunakwe Aguiyi-Ironsi (1966).
3. General Yakubu Gowon (1966 – 1975).
4. General Murtala Muhammed (1975 – 1976)
5. General Olusegun Obasanjo (1976 – 1979).
6. Alhaji Shehu Shagari (1979 – 1983).
7. Major-General Muhammadu Buhari (1984 – 1985).
8. General Ibrahim Babangida (1985 – 1993).
9. Chief Ernest Shonekan (1993).
10. General Sani Abacha (1993 – 1998).
11. General Abdulsalami Abubakar (1998 – 1999).
12. President Olusegun Obasanjo (1999 – 2007).
13. Alhaji Umaru Musa Yar’Adua (2007 – 2010).
14. Dr. Goodluck Jonathan (2010 – 2015).
15. President Muhammadu Buhari (2015 – 2023).
16. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu (2023 – ).