Nonagenarian monarch, Oba Ayoola Ademasa Sonoiki, is the Eleposo of Eposo, Ogun State. He talks to SAMUEL AWOYINFA about his life, his reign and sundry issues
I was born in the mid 1920s in Ode Remo in Remo North Local Government Area of Ogun State.
Tell us about your parents?
I am from royal lineage. My father was Abdullahi Kareem Sonoiki, and my mother was Mrs. Obajimi Ogunyemi Sonoiki. My father was a farmer while my mother was a trader.
What kind of childhood did you have?
My parents were disciplinarians and they brought me up in a Godly manner. That made me who I am today. My parents taught me how to do a lot of domestic chores. This influences what I eat, and how I exercise. It has greatly influenced my pattern of lifestyle.
What schools did you attend?
I attended Sagamu Wesley School, Oko, Sagamu between 1938 and 1946 for my Standard 6 qualification. After my Standard 6, I joined Nigerian Army, where I worked with Royal Electrical Mechanical Engineering at Yaba. While I was working, I was also attending a school in the evening. That was the David Livingstone Academy, Ebute Meta.Also, I was an instructor in the Nigerian Army on a short service, but I was later appointed a school master. I was posted to the Military Police 2 and 4, Provost Section, Kaduna.
How many years were you in the Nigerian Army?
I was there for six years, while I spent three years in reserve. This meant if there was any war within three years of my exit, I could be recalled.
Which year did you leave and where else did you work?
I left the Nigerian Army in July 1953, and I continued taking correspondence course from London University College — I opted for English Language. I also did another correspondence course with Rapid Result College and Pittman Correspondence College, London. I was later employed in the Legal Department, currently known as the Federal Ministry of Justice. I left after a year, because the job was not that challenging.
Where next did you move on to?
I worked with Messers R.E. Harding Company, Apapa; the company was into merchandising, selling baby foods and drugs. Later, I worked at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, and eventually ended up in the defunct National Electric Power Authority where I retired in 1988.
What have you been doing since you retired?
After retirement, I was appointed as honorary secretary to Lagos Cooperative, Building and Housing Society till I became a king in 1995.
How did you become a king?
I ascended the throne in 1995. I would say it was God who favoured me. Then, God used the late Alaye Ode of Ode Remo, Oba Funso Adeolu, who was Chief Eleyinmi in the defunct television soap, ‘Village Headmaster’. He was the one who institutionalised other traditional stools in Iraye, Eposo, and Ogunmogbo. All these towns were historical towns but Ode Remo served as the centre.
