Nollywood actor Antar Laniyan and comedian Debo Adedayo, a.k.a Mr Macaroni, are the Awujale of Ijebu Kingdom, Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona Ogbagba II, in a biopic dedicated to the monarch. While Antar Laniyan played the grown monarch, Mr Macaroni played the younger Awujale.
The movie titled ‘Awujale’ will be released to mark the 64th anniversary since the monarch ascended the throne.
Produced by Seun Oloketuyi and directed by Tunde Olaoye, the movie also features Sola Sobowale, Aisha Lawal, Dayo Amusan, Nifemi Lawal, Yemi Sodimu, amongst others.
The trailer shows a defiant Awujale telling the military that he doesn’t need permission from anyone before he can travel out of the country. From the trailer, the movie will mostly be about the monarch’s struggles before his enthronement and during his reign.
According to Oloketuyi, he got the idea for the movie from a Fuji musician who advised him to read books about the monarch, one of which got him hooked and inspired him to create this film.
Oba Adetona is the longest-reigning monarch in Nigeria. This biopic, which will premiere this April, may be related to the book, ‘Awujale: The Autobiography of Oba S.K Adetona Ogbagba II’.
According to the book’s description, “The Awujale of Ijebuland is one of those few obas in his category whose opinions are respected because they can be trusted to be forthright even when they are wrong. He gives the impression in this book that only he, and a few of his friends including the Oba of Benin, Erediauwa II, the Akija of Ikija, Oba Adekoya, and Alaafin of Oyo, Lamidi Adeyemi III have demonstrated exemplary integrity in the face of pressures. This may be debatable but the truth is that since 1960 when the present Awujale ascended the throne of his forefathers, so much has happened to discredit the traditional institution.”
Prince Adetona was called to the throne via an invitation from the Anikinaiya Ruling House after the passing of his predecessor Oba Daniel Gbelegbuwa in January 1959.
Prince Adetona, who was heading for a career in the United Kingdom, was eligible as he was born during the period his predecessor was king of Ijebuland, a criterion amongst others that must be met.
Several candidates emerged for consideration, but the turn of the Anikilaiya Ruling House narrowed the field. Among the contenders were only two surviving Abidagbas, one of whom was Prince Rufail Adetona, father of Sikiru Kayode Adetona.
Despite being far from home and focused on his professional aspirations, Prince Adetona heeded the call and returned to his roots to assume the mantle of leadership. His unexpected journey from the UK to the throne exemplifies the enduring ties between tradition and modernity, shaping the destiny of the Ijebu people.
The exact date for the movie’s premiere in April has not been made known. Also, it is not known if the biopic will be in cinemas or on streaming platforms. However, we will be around the corner to review the movie once it is released.
