Ex-university DVC, two dons, 16 others vie for Akarigbo stool

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By Femi SHODUNKE

NIGERIA: THREE professors are among the 19 princes from the Torungbuwa Ruling House who are vying for the vacant stool of the Akarigbo of Remoland in Ogun State.

The stool became vacant following the demise of the 18th monarch of Remoland, Oba Michael Adeniyi Sonariwo, who joined his ancestors on July 23, 2016.

Oba Sonariwo, Erinjugbo II, who was the Chairman of the State Council of Obas at the time of his death, was born on July 28, 1936, became the Akarigbo in July and also died in July in the United Kingdom, where he went for medical treatment, in the presence of his wife, Olori Abosede.

GatewayMail gathered that three eggheads who are interested in succeeding Oba Sonariwo, who was a reputable accountant, are ex-Chairman of Board of Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital, Sagamu, Prof. Gabriel Ogunmola, the President of African Mathematical Union and the former Deputy Vice Chancellor of the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), Prof. Adewale Solarin, and Prof. Tunde Ogunsanwo of the Department of Chemical Science, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye.

Among other princes struggling to become the 19^th Akarigbo are Babatunde Ajayi, Adeyinka Adeniyi, Akibu   Kazeem, Adedapo Opeaye, Ibukun Alayo, Adebayo Mutiu Bolajoko, Abiodun Ogunbiyi, Nuru Oyekan and Tajudeen Saka.

Also in the race are Ayoola Adetinoye, Adeuja Ashimolowo, Saula Adenowo, Folarin Solarin, Seyi Sotubo, Bolaji Osiderumu and Adeniyi  Adesanya.

At the meeting held last Thursday at Akarigbo Palace Hall, Sagamu with members of the royal family, the Secretary of Sagamu Local Government (SLG), Otunba Wale Fakoya, informed the princes that Torungbuwa Ruling House is the next in line to produce the new Akarigbo.

The SLG explained that the decision to go through the nomination process was in consonance with sections 15 and 16 of the Chiefs Law of Ogun State of 2006.

Fakoya had last August 15 made a public notice informing the next ruling house to fill the vacant stool within 24 days allowed by the law.

It would be recalled that the Elepe of Epe, Oba Adewale Osiberu, had July last year announced the passage of Oba Sonariwo, while receiving the Ogun State government delegation led by Deputy Governor, Mrs. Yetunde Onanuga, on a condolence visit over the demise of the 80-year-old monarch.

During the visit of the government representatives, the Ewusi of Makun, Oba Timothy Akinsanya, expressed sadness on the demise of Oba Sonariwo, who ascended the throne on July 14, 1990,

The monarch said that Remo sons and daughters at home and abroad had risen to the occasion necessitated by the death.

“We appeal to all Remo indigenes to embrace peace and orderliness during and after the process of the passage rites,” Oba Akinsanya said on the occasion.

Oba Sonariwo, who was born in Ita Eleye in Lagos State, attended St. John School, Aroloya, Lagos from 1941 to 1949 before proceeding to Methodist Boys High School from 1950 till 1955.

The traditional ruler, who became orphan at six and had dreamt of working with the Central Bank of Nigeria to become the Governor “so that I would sign my name on the naira notes,” later traveled abroad for further studies and series of training in tax and accounting profession, and worked with the Inland Revenue Service become he eventually ascended the stool of Akarigbo.

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