Ogun first class monarch, Oba Michael Sonariwo, is dead

The Ogun State first class monarch, the Akarigbo and paramount ruler of Remoland, Oba Michael Adeniyi Sonariwo, is dead.

The monarch died Saturday evening in London.

The monarch, who was the Chairman of the Ogun State Traditional Council, was flown to London on July 17 following an illness.

The month of July is very unique in the life of the Remo monarch as he was born, crowned and died in the month of July.

Oba Sonariwo, who ascended the throne on July 14, 1990, was born on July 28, 1936 and also died in July.

One of the high chiefs of Sagamu, who pleaded anonymity, told our correspondent that the monarch passed away in the presence of his wife, Olori Abosede Sonariwo.

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

A reputed philanthropist, the monarch was until his demise a patron of many social clubs and societies both in Sagamu and Lagos.

Sources said that his death has been communicated to Governor Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun State while formal announcement would be made later after the proper traditional rites must have been carried out.

“He was 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’s School, Aroloya, Lagos from 1941 to 1949 before he proceeded to Methodist Boys High School from 1950 to 1955.

The traditional ruler, who became an orphan at the tender age of 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 the accounting profession.

He worked with the Inland Revenue Service before he was invited to ascend the throne of his forefathers.

A source from the government confirmed that the news of the monarch’s death was communicated to Governor Amosun by the Secretary to the State Government, Barr. Taiwo Adeoluwa and Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Bashorun Muyiwa Oladipo, both indigenes of Sagamu.