80-year-old Akarigbo Remoland, Sonariwo, dies in UK

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NIGERIA: THE Akarigbo of Remoland, Oba Adeniyi Sonariwo, is dead.

The 80-year-old accountant monarch, who ascended the throne on July 14, 1990, joined his ancestors in United Kingdom where he was flown to on July 17 after a brief illness.

Oba Sonariwo, Erinjugbo II, born on July 28, 1936, became the 18th Akarigbo in July and also died in July in the presence of his wife, Olori Abosede.

“He died Saturday evening in UK where he was flown to since July 17, this month, after a brief illness.  He joined his ancestors in the presence of his Olori, Abosede, who accompanied him on the medical trip,” a source in Sagamu told GatewayMail on Sunday.

A reputed philanthropist, the monarch who is one of the paramount rulers and chairman of Ogun State Council of Obas, was until his demise a patron of many clubs and societies both in Sagamu and Lagos.

Sources said that his demise has been communicated to the Senator Ibikunle Amosun-led government while formal announcement would be made later after proper traditional rites must have been carried out.

“He is a great philanthropist; he donated 30-bed ward to the Ogun State Teaching Hospital, Sagamu at a point in time.  I can vividly remember that,” a Sagamu high chief said.

Sonariwo, who was born in Ita Eleye in Lagos State in 1936, attended St. John School, Aroloya, Lagos from 1941 to 1949 before he proceeded 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 travelled abroad for further studies and series of training in tax and accounting profession, and worked with the Inland Revenue Service.