If royalty had a screenplay, this one would open with regal drums, flowing agbadas, and a monarch whose wisdom echoed louder than any palace gong. As Ijebuland prepares for the sequel — the selection of its next Awujale and Paramount Ruler — the spotlight swings back to the late Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona, the legendary ruler whose words still roll like a powerful dialogue from a classic epic. In a scene straight out of a grand cultural spectacle — the 2019 Ojude-Oba Festival — Oba Adetona, who ruled the ancient Ijebu kingdom for over six decades, delivered a message that could well be the tagline of his reign: “Do not crown wealth; crown wisdom.” Dressed in royal splendor and surrounded by a sea of color, the Awujale warned his kingmakers not to be swayed by moneybags or political heavyweights in choosing his successor. For him, the throne of Ijebuland was never meant for the highest bidder, but for the most capable leader — one with heart, vision, and a true sense of purpose. “Th...
Accuses Detractors of False and Malicious Publications “There is no fraud, nor any falsehood. What exists is a delay and nothing more. Yet from this delay, some have chosen to fabricate lies, weaponize rumors, and maliciously mislead the public. Let it be clear: those responsible for instigating and spreading these defamatory claims will be held fully accountable, legally, morally, and shall pay for every damage they have caused.” When an entrepreneur dares to build what has never been done before, he must first make peace with the storms that come to test his conviction. But to mistake delay for deceit is not only false — it is dangerous to truth itself. For twelve unbroken years, Sujimoto has chosen the harder path: rejecting shortcuts, defying cynicism, and building brick by brick through sleepless nights, sacrifice, and an unyielding faith that Africa deserves architecture that inspires. The Leonardo by Sujimoto remains one of the continent’s most daring and technically sophisticat...