Awujale’s Timeless Warning to Ijebu Kingmakers — Choose Character Over Cash!

 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.

“The Awujale’s throne,” he declared, “is not for politicians, not for the rich, not for the flashy. It is for the one who can serve.” Those words, powerful and prophetic, now resonate with renewed emotion as the kingdom stands on the edge of a new chapter.

Installed in 1960, Oba Adetona reigned for more than 65 years — an era of transformation, diplomacy, and cultural pride. He modernized traditional governance without losing the essence of Ijebu identity. His leadership, like a long-running blockbuster, had it all — grace, grit, and a legacy of wisdom.

Now, as the search begins for the next custodian of Ijebuland’s throne, his timeless advice feels like a royal script for those who will decide the future. “Seek divine direction,” he urged the kingmakers, reminding them that Ijebu’s heritage is too sacred to be auctioned to the wealthy or the politically ambitious.

The Ojude-Oba Festival, always a grand fusion of fashion, faith, and festivity, was his favorite stage for truth-telling. Each year, his words would weave through the chants and cheers like a well-written monologue — sharp, soulful, and sincere.

Today, as Ijebuland braces for its next act, many wonder: will the kingmakers follow the late monarch’s direction or be tempted by the glitter of gold?

One thing is certain — Oba Adetona’s message remains as evergreen as any Bollywood epic’s moral: true leadership is not about riches, but about responsibility.

As the curtain rises on a new reign, the kingdom stands at a crossroads — between tradition and temptation, between legacy and luxury. The kingmakers now hold the script. Whether they choose a hero or a hollow crown will determine the next chapter in Ijebuland’s royal saga.

And somewhere, in the echoes of the palace courtyard, the Awujale’s words still linger — a timeless warning, a royal truth.

“ENOUGH IS ENOUGH: Sujimoto to Petition and Sue Over $556K Fraud Smear — ‘Delay Is Not Deceit.”

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 sophisticated luxury developments. Ambition that vast cannot be rushed; its clock is governed not only by concrete and cranes, but by bureaucracy, tedious approvals, and an economy that shifts and strains with every policy change. No one was duped. No one was misled. Our client acted in good faith, approvals were secured last year, and though the project slowed, it was never denied, abandoned, or defrauded.

Unfortunately, some of our most honest and hard-working customers have requested refunds. Some have been patient, others aggressive — and we have honored them all.

We have never compromised. We have faced countless challenges, yet our commitment to integrity remains absolute. Beyond fulfilling contracts, we have helped our customers maximize profits through off-take agreements. Take Giuliano, for example: the first buyer purchased at ₦285 million. Today, less than six years later, the project is worth ₦2.5 billion. Rent now commands ₦100 million, fully booked and fully sold out.

When cement skyrocketed from ₦2,000 to ₦10,000, who absorbs the cost? We do. The buyer does not want to hear this, yet it is reality. During construction, steel surged from ₦500,000 to ₦1.3 million and we did not compromise. A single 40-foot container cost ₦4 million and later ₦24 million. Still, we refused shortcuts. Every brick, every beam, every detail has been delivered with integrity, despite the market’s relentless squeeze.

Every investor has been engaged directly, and those requesting refunds are being settled through a transparent, structured, and verifiable process. Meanwhile, the Lucrezia — once slowed by the same economic headwinds that rattled an entire industry — now stands on the brink of completion, set for delivery in December 2025, with every fully paid homeowner poised to receive their keys. 

It is deeply concerning that public institutions are now being misused to settle civil disputes and punish enterprises. What should have remained a private contractual matter has been paraded as crime, turning law enforcement into debt collectors. Sujimoto is pursuing firm legal redress against those behind these malicious falsehoods, and those responsible shall pay for the damages they have caused.

Sujimoto is not merely a company; it is a creed — a fellowship of architects, artisans, and engineers bound by a shared pursuit of excellence. We have empowered thousands, paid over ₦7 billion in wages in the past 12 years, and built monuments that speak where falsehood falls silent.

In a nation where haste is mistaken for progress and ambition for arrogance, it has become easy to weaponize delay. Yet progress, like justice, is slow only to those who lack patience. Our only “crime” is daring to dream beyond the comfort zone of ordinary builders — and for that, we shall never apologise.

Some may not like Sujimoto — his relentless ambition, his boldness, his refusal to follow the ordinary. Some may call him loud, too forward, even audacious. Yet no one can deny his work. His projects speak for themselves — unmatched in vision, execution, and impact. To question the man is human; to question the monument he builds is impossible. 

Sujimoto does not build for applause. We build for permanence. And when The Leonardo finally rises — not if, but when — it will stand as a monument to truth: proof that audacious vision outlives the noise, and that gold is forged only through fire.

Dr. Sijibomi Ogundele is the Group Managing Director of Sujimoto Holdings, the Czar of Luxury RealEstate Development, and the mastermind developer behind the renowned Giuliano. Our other audacious projects, such as the most sophisticated building in Banana Island, LucreziaBySujimoto, the grandiose Sujimoto Twin Tower, the tallest twin towers in Africa; the regal Queen Amina by Sujimoto, a monument to royal affluence; the magnificent high-rise LeonardoBySujimoto; the Sujimoto Farm; an advanced farm estate system that incorporates housing, farm hospitals, hotels, and markets within an ecosystem, creating opportunities for agro-tourism and affordable housing., among other projects that have etched an indelible imprint on Nigeria’s skylines, a testament to Sujimoto’s unrivalled mastery of modern-day engineering.