By Sola Odumosu, Father of Celebrology
There exists, within monarchal philosophy, a concept called the First Intractable Assumption of Tradition—known as FIAT. It is the invisible law by which kings, upon ascension, are compelled to submit entirely to the customs and rites of the land. At this point, a king is no longer autonomous; he becomes a subject of tradition.
Yet, as humans created tradition, so too can humans—especially monarchs—challenge and refine it. Once power is attained, some rulers introduce what is called a FIATic Deviance—a rebellion against practices deemed outdated, oppressive, or barbaric. This is not out of disrespect, but out of responsibility.
Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona, the Awujale of Ijebuland, exemplified this. By choosing a dignified burial in alignment with his personal faith and philosophy, he took a stand against elements of tradition that he believed violated human dignity.
This act, termed the “Preferential Dignity of a King,” signifies the monarch’s right to choose legacy over legacy’s demands, conviction over compulsion. The Awujale didn’t reject tradition entirely—he redefined it. He remained a custodian of culture, yet one with the moral compass to preserve his people from the potential ruins of unchecked customs.
His belief in the divine wasn’t a rejection of his roots, but rather a path to elevate them. As such, Oba S.K. Adetona left behind not just a throne, but a legacy of reform—one that echoes with justice, courage, and enduring dignity.