His Royal Ambassador, Aare Ayandotun Ayanlakin, JP KCOP, Plenipotentiary to the Imperial Majesty, Alaafin of Oyo kingdom bares his mind with BISI ADEWUMI on his early life, career, marriage, relationship with the late Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III and what he expects of the next Alaafin

Your early life, how did it all start?

I was born about 65 years ago to Mr & Mrs Matthew and Esther Ayanlakin in Akinmorin town near Oyo. I lost my dad at a very tender age. My mother moved on to remarry. This compelled me to stay with my uncle, my father’s younger brother, who had little or no interest in western education. From there, I went to my maternal uncle’s (Uncle Lamidi’s) place in Oyo. With his assistance, I was able to reunite with my mother in Lagos.

I was enrolled at UNA Primary School, Bashua, Somolu. I proceeded to Timothy Secondary School, Onike, Yaba. As I went back to Oyo, I joined Oranmiyan Grammar School, where I was for just an academic session. I eventually completed my secondary education at Origbo High School, Ipetumodu, in present State of Osun.

While in school, I started “Ewi” (Yoruba poetry), through which I performed for two Juju music maestros: Dele Abiodun (Adawa Super) and King Sunny Ade.

By 1977, through the connections of my friends I met in school, I travelled to the United Kingdom. On getting there, I met and started work with the late chairman of the defunct National Party of Nigeria (NPN), Chief Meredith Adisa Akinloye. Though I went through a lot in life, God has been so merciful to me. I was in the UK for 28 years and acquired landed properties.

By the time I returned to Nigeria, I started as a journalist with Daily Times newspaper, though as a freelance. I remember Titus Soyombo was our editor then.

You were with late Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III for over two decades. How would you assess him?

He was not just being called “ikubabayeye” for fun. You can ask his people the meaning of that (laughs). He was revered. I mean highly respected. He loved all, and was loved by all. He was so open minded. But loving and lovable as he was, his authority was unquestionable, as he held Oyo town and people firmly. Oba Adeyemi would be missed by all the people in his kingdom. All we can pray for is for God to give us respite and fill the vacuum his demise has created.

You sound so passionate about him. Is there more to it?

You may not understand. I was his royal envoy, I mean his ambassador. He loved me like his own son. I adored him like my father and king. We were too close. I have always strived to look like him even in appearance. He was so good and generous to me. There was an instance when I was not having money to pay my children’s school fees. I ran to him, and was rattled when he gave me N1m. He was generous to a fault.

I was projecting him in good light before the people at all times. At times, I offered my counsels on certain issues, which he would take.

*Oba Adeyemi was a rare gem. I have always wished and prayed somebody like him succeeds him* . I have not seen any royal father to be compared with him. He really impacted my life.

Like I said earlier, it will be difficult to fill the vacuum his departure has left behind. May his soul continue to rest on.

Is the chieftaincy tittle “asoju oba” for your lineage? 

No. I was the first person to be honoured with the tittle. You know, it was the Asalu of Oyo, Chief Afolabi that took me to him. He introduced me as the grandson of Adekunle Ayeleso, the famous Alaafin’s Kanfo drummer, who was so deligent in his services as the lead drummer to Oba Adeyemi II.

When we met him, he asked what I was into. I told him I was a journalist turned business man. The monarch promised to honour me with the tittle based on my grandfather’s meritorious service to his own father.

I can unequivocally say that Oba Adeyemi never attached monetary gains to awarding chieftaincy tittles. In my own case, I think he must have instructed some people to keep eyes on me before he eventually conferred my chieftaincy tittle in 2001.

To your question,  no one had ever earned the tittle of Aare Asoju Oba (royal ambassador) before me. That’s why am happy I didn’t disappoint him.

 Would there still be continuity in your services when the new Alaafin  is installed? 

As the Asoju Oba, my tittle transcends the reign of Oba Adeyemi III . I am not restricted to him. My services definitely continue as the royal ambassador. I will work with the new Alaafin when installed, because my chieftaincy tittle is a lifelong one.

We learnt 119 candidates have shown interest in the throne. Isn’t that strange?

As we speak, they have narrowed it down to 6. That isn’t a problem.

What is the yardstick to select the new Alaafin; education, wealth, influence or “Ifa”?

It has always been Ifa. This one would not be an exception. Ifa will decide who takes over as the next Alaafin.

As a christian, why did you go for Ifa?

You see, children of nowadays take our culture and tradition with levity. The elders know better. Our negligence has cost us so much. And that’s why we are experiencing this level of decadence in our values. I am a christian. I was born into Anglican Communion. I told you my mother is Esther and my father Matthew. My wife is Victoria, while I am Daniel. They’re all christian names. I even went on pilgrimage to the holy land, Jerusalem, for you to know I am not a baby christian. Our forefathers engaged Ifa in choosing their obas, and that’s what we are standing on to select the new Alaafin.

Has the state government kept its promise of non interference in the choice of the new Alaafin? 

To the best of my knowledge, there are no issues. Everything is fine.

 Gov. Makinde advised against delaying the process. Is the process not being delayed already?

Let me first say this, I am not part of kingmakers. I have said I would not get myself involved. All the same, I know every community has its founders and early settlers. Those who are not of royal blood should stay clear of chieftaincy tussle, to prevent unnecessary squabbles in the race to fill vacant stools.

In the case of Oyo, if you’re not from the lineages of Adeyemi or Oladigbolu, you have no business with Alaafin’s stool. This is always one of the reasons for delay in the process.

Atiba Local Govt. Area has petitioned the state government claiming that only Agunloye Ruling house is eligible to the throne. Is this justifiable? 

Let’s leave all that to the stakeholders, kingmakers. What I can promise you is that everything is going to be fine. *Oyo cannot choose wrongly.*

Does tradition permit an aggrieved candidate to seek redress from a law court?

Why not? It’s a free world. I hope you have not forgotten that we are practising democracy.  It’s the fundamental right of whosoever that seeks justice to approach the courts.

What roles do traditional institutions have to play in securing our societies?

First, I would appreciate if the traditional rulers can be granted more powers by the constitution, just like Pastor Adeboye of RCCG said recently. Aside, the traditional rulers have an obligation to sensitize elders and landlords in our communities on the need to register strangers and visitors accordingly. If they err by breaking the law, it would be easy to identify and prosecute them.

As an admirer of Oba Adeyemi, are you a polygamist too? 

Oh, no. I am married to only one wife. *My mother made me an adherent of one wife*. *She used to say that a man married to two women would be afflicted with two sicknesses.*

Where and how did you meet your wife?

We met in Somolu area of Lagos. I still remember vividly the day. She came for photo shoot at a photo studio close to my mother’s house. The photographer, Ade Photo introduced me to her as the son of “Iyaloja”, (market leader). Coincidentally, she hails from Fiditi, a town in the same local government where I come from. I was told she was working with Union Bank then. That was how the journey started.

The first twenty five years of our marriage were so challenging. We had no child. It was a source of worry to my mother. Meanwhile, all tests carried out showed we were fertile.

Eventually, my younger brother, Olayinka Sosan who lives in the United States (US) invited us. On getting there, he introduced us to a specialist doctor who after series of test recommended IVF, which we gladly did. The result was a set of twins. We really thank God for taking away that reproach. My mother was over joyous.

We understand you’re pulling your weight behind “Tinubu 2023 Agenda”. What informed your decision?

You’re correct. I support Asiwaju Tinubu’s candidature. As Yoruba, we should support and rally round him. But beyond that, when you look at his antecedents and strides in public service, and as an astute builder of men, you will agree with me that he’s the right person for the job. His achievements as the governor of Lagos State are visible. Out of all the candidates across the parties, his track records are unequalled.

One could mistake you for the late Alaafinin appearance. What influence did he have on your dressing?

I took after the late Oba Adeyemi in dressing. Like I told you, I was his royal ambassador, the Asoju Oba. I represented him everywhere. So, I am expected to carry his image and character. Oba Lamidi was fashionable. He didn’t expect anything less from me, and I was conscious of it.

I spent fortunes on my outfits. On the average, what I put on, from head to toe at once is worth N2m and even more at times.

You must be a socialite.

I belong to a number of social clubs, namely: Island Club; Yoruba Tennis Club; Lagos Lawn Tennis Club; Ikeja Golf Club; and Premier Club, Oyo. Does that satisfy your curiosity? (laughs).