There have been reported disputes in the process leading to the installation of kings in Nigeria recently. What can you say about that of Ilara?
I was selected by the kingmakers as the 55th Alara of the Ilara Kingdom, when my predecessor, His Royal Majesty Alayeluwa, Oba Akeem Okunola Adesanya ll, joined his ancestors in October 2018. He spent 58 years on the throne. Before he joined his ancestors, he was the longest reigning monarch in Lagos State. He became the Oba at the age of 16 and he reigned for 58 years. So, he passed on at the age of 74. May God continue to bless his soul. In November 2019, the kingmakers said it was the turn of my ruling house, which is the Telade ruling house to produce the next Oba Alara of Ilara Kingdom.
Having received a notice to jump-start the process from the state government, through the Eredo Local Council Development Authority, eight of us were picked as contestants. The list was then forwarded to the kingmakers in Ilara. The rest, as they say, is history. I was crowned on Thursday, August 6, 2020, by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who presented me with the staff of office and instrument of appointment on Sunday, August 16, 2020.
How would you describe your recent installation as the Alara of Ilara 60 years after your predecess,or was crowned?
History was made that day because the community had just witnessed another installation of a new oba after 60 years. The elderly and the youths were all excited to see a new king. It is God that chooses kings. I never knew I was going to be a king. As said earlier, the last oba reigned for 58 years. It has been a wonderful experience going through the traditional rites.
You worked for the Lagos State Internal Revenue Service, where you served for 26 years. How would you describe your new role as a monarch?
For me, I see it as a another call to service, having been in the service of the state for 26 years and risen through the ranks to become the Executive Chairman, Lagos State Internal Revenue Service. Even my stint in the service was a call to duty to assist the government in getting revenue for the betterment of the citizenry. It is with tax money that most things are done – infrastructure, roads, education, transport, health services and so on. So, when the opportunity came and I was invited, I prayed about it. I also consulted. Later, I decided to go. I said, ‘Why not? Let me go and serve my people.’ As the Yoruba will say, ‘Ile l’abo simi oko.’ All that I had been trying to do in the service, let me join others to try them here and see how we can move this community forward.
What are the potentials in Ilara that you hope to build on?
You must have noticed and observed the potentials that we have in this community. It only takes a visionary leader and someone that has the passion for his people to actually want to be on the right side of history by coming to change things and to ensure that the community excels. We are blessed here with agriculture, in terms of farming and fishing. We have a lot of viable land, good soil, and good weather. Also, we are surrounded by water, including the lagoon and the ocean. So, fishing is part of the natural resources that the almighty God has given to this community.
There is huge potential also for tourism here. We equally have a lot of human capital as well. We have people that are educated. And if we join hands and put our heads together, I want to believe that this community will become what I will call a mini London that everybody will be proud of. So, part of what we intend to do is to partner with the Lagos State Government, through the THEMES agenda of the governor. We are going to partner with the state government and also take initiatives as well to invite private investors to come and see the kind of things that they can do to improve the economic potentials of the community.
The empowerment of the youths is also very important. We will also try and see that we assist our children to continue to be educated and self-reliant because you can’t wait for the government to do everything for you. So, with that, we intend to create some vocational institutions where our children could learn something tangible.
What are the things to learn from the vocational schools?
Things like renewable energy, welding and artworks that they can make and sell.
Ilara appears to be on the outskirts of Lagos. Are you concerned about that?
When you came in here (Ilara), didn’t you see that there is a lot of peace around here, away from the hustle and bustle of Lagos? Everything is fresh here. So, those are some of the things that people don’t know that they can enjoy here. With all the road networks that the government is doing now, this community will be the next place that people can actually come and live. And once the government is able to construct the 4th Mainland Bridge and improve on the multi-modal transport facilities — the use of water, land and by road — people can move from one end of the state to another. So many people can actually live here and be working in Lagos. This will help in decongesting Lagos. And I pray that, very soon, maybe when we are celebrating our first, second and third anniversaries, we will always have things to point at and say God has actually helped us to achieve our goals.
How do you hope to balance your Christian religion with the traditional duties?
That is a good question. The Christians say, ‘In Jesus name’ and ‘By the grace of God.’ The Muslims say ‘Isha Allah,’ or ‘By the grace of Almighty Allah,’ and the traditionalists say ‘By the grace of Eledumare.’ One thing that is common to those three religions is that we all call on the almighty God. Of course, when you are an oba, you are the spiritual head. If you look at the Bible, it is there that, after God, he has placed kings in authority over their subjects. The same thing applies to every other religion. But at the same time, the most important thing is that you should rule with the fear of the almighty God. Because what we know is that the fear of the Almighty is the beginning of wisdom. So, as a ruler, you need to have a lot of wisdom and when you are trying to apply that wisdom correctly, you must also have the fear of Almighty God.
You became the head of the state revenue service before you turned 53. What kind of childhood did you have?
I won’t say I am special to have been appointed into the position. Rather, it is providence. It is just God. I come from a very humble background. My father (who is still alive) was a retired civil servant and my mother (also alive) was a retired headmistress. In those days, when you talk about a teacher’s child, it depicts a very good background and good upbringing. They taught us humility and hard work. And there is no shortcut to get to the top except through hard work and serving your God diligently. I think those contributed a lot to what I have become today and I am very grateful to them. I am glad that this (becoming a king) happened in their lifetime. My father is 83 and my mother is 78, and I am the third child of the family. But to God be the glory, it has been a very good experience. I am very proud of them as my parents. I did my one-year mandatory youth service with Wema Bank Plc. I joined the Lagos State Civil Service in 1991 as an Inspector of Taxes Grade ll. And I am glad I was able to get to the top of my career by becoming the executive chairman of the revenue agency. I am happily married and blessed with children.
Did you grow up in Ilara?
Actually, I was born in Ibadan, Oyo State. My parents were working in Ibadan at that time. But my dad was born in this community. I grew up in Ibadan. Every year, we would come home for Sallah. My parents were Muslims, though they later converted to Christianity. So, we used to come home for Ileya, just like the period that just passed. And each time we came home, I remember that those days, we would go to the stream to fetch water. We swam in the river and things like that. So, each year, I looked forward to it. I am in love with the community. I am very proud to come from this community. I love my people and I have always come home. I built a country home here without knowing God was preparing me ahead. So, like I said, everything was divine.
What has becoming a king changed about you?
Nothing has changed. A friend sent a congratulatory message to me. We attended primary school at the same time in Ibadan. In the message, he said things like, from my young age, I had always lived and comported myself like a king and that everything about me — the aura radiates that of a king and that there is no quality you would look for in a king that I didn’t have. Even my past experiences made me realise that this is divine.
How do you hope to manage your privacy?
I have always been a private person. There are certain things I can’t do anymore. That is what the throne demands and I have accepted it.
Would you describe yourself as stylish?
I have always been a conservative dresser. I love to wear suits to the office as a corporate man and when I am wearing my native attire, I am a bit detailed about it as well. I love some colours. White (as a colour of preference) is good. Blue is good. White is purity and blue is peace. My dressing will always go along that line. I don’t believe in dressing expensively, but I like a decent way of dressing.
What do you do to relax?
I enjoy travelling, reading and listening to music. I am more of an academic.
What kind of songs appeal to you?
I like songs by Sunny Ade, Ebenezer Obey, Orlando Owoh, and Wasiu Ayinde Marshal.
Do you have a favourite meal?
I think amala is my best meal. I also like pounded yam with vegetable soup. Also, I like yam and egg.
The PUNCH.