If there is anybody in Eti Osa area of Lagos who will miss His Royal Majesty, Oba Idowu Abiodun Oniru (Akiogun II), it is his best friend, Oba Adetunji Tijani Akinloye (Sateru II), the Ojomu of Ajiranland in the Lekki area of Lagos.
The 2 Obas were not just close. They were 2 Lagos celebrity Obas who partied together.
Despite their closeness, not many know that friendship dates back to over 40 years, even before Kabiyesi became a king. Their grandparents were friends too.
Oba Tijani Akinloye, who looked remorseful throughout the burial rites of his friend spoke to City People’s Assistant Society Editor, ABIOLA ORISILE. He explained how he felt losing a friend, and how Kabiyesi never came to terms with his younger brother’s death a few years ago. He even wrote a Farewell Tribute To My Friend. “It was beautiful as long as it lasted, the journey of my life. I have no regrets whatsoever save the plan I’ll leave behind. Those dear hearts who love and care and the heavy-with -sleep ever-moist eyes, the smile in spite of a lump in the throat and the strings pulling at heart and soul.
The strong arms that held me up when my own strength let me down, each morsel that I was fed with was full of love. At every turning of my life, I came across good friends who stood by me even when the time raced me by.
Farewell, farewell, my friends. I smell and bid you goodbye. No, shed no tears for I need them not. All I need is your smile. If you feel sad do think of me, for that’s what I’ll like. When you live in the hearts of those you love, remember then”. Below are excerpts of Oba Akinloye’s interview.
You were a friend of the late Oba Idowu Abiodun Oniru for over 30 years, how do you feel about his exist?
I feel sad that I have lost a friend and a brother, but I find solace in the fact that he lived a good life. Perhaps, I should add that Oba Abiodun Oniru was not just my friend, he was my brother too. We had been together way back even before I became a king. He is very blunt and we always seek advice from each other. There is no day we don’t talk on the phone. I will miss his candid advice.
How did you two become friends?
We were family friends. The late Oba Abiodun Oniru’s, father was a friend to my grandfather.
Our families admire each other. So much that the relationship was taken to another level between.
Kabiyesi and I.
Did you ever see his death coming?
No, we didn’t, but he was sick in the last 3 years before he went to the United Kingdom and he recovered. He came back and again feel sick. I think what affected Oba Oniru’s health was simply the demise of his younger brother, Alaba Oniru. When Alaba died, Oba Oniru felt he should have died before Alaba. We told him not to say that, but Oba Oniru and Alaba, his brother were too close for the Oba to stop saying it. He couldn’t come to terms with it. This death was God’s wish.
What will you miss about him?
A lot. I feel lonely in Eti-Osa now.
I will miss his calls. We always talked, from time to time. We talked late into the night. Sometimes, we talked and called each other back when we remembered something, we were so close.
You have been King for over 26 years, what do you miss about the outside world?
Well, an Oba, there is a limit to what you can do and where you can go and time you can go out.
You must accord yourself respect as a king. People respect you when you respect yourself. You can’t move out anyhow.
You are closer to 80, what has life taught you?
Well, I will be 80 next year by God’s grace and I thank God for his grace.
How do you rest?
I rest in the evening as I am always busy in the afternoon.
What were you doing before becoming a king?
I studied agriculture and crossed to school to teach. I was a principal and then became secretary of Eti Osa Local Government Council.
Do you still miss teaching?
Well, teaching is in-born. I have a farm and I have students.
Who comes for industrial training?
You can’t retire as a teacher.
