A prominent monarch in Sagamu, Ewusi of Makun,
Oba Timothy Akinsanya, has said the Remo Traditional Council needs £8,000
to fly back to Nigeria the remains of the late Akarigbo and Paramount ruler of
Remoland, Oba Michael Sonariwo.
The Akarigbo died in the United Kingdom last
Saturday.
The Ewusi, who spoke with journalists on the
telephone on Monday from his palace in Sagamu, said the traditional council had
sent a representative to the Ogun State Governor, Ibikunle Amosun, to assist
them in meeting the financial requirement.
The monarch said he had confirmed the death of the paramount ruler through his
wife, Abosede, who was with him in the UK where he had been flown to since July
17 when he took ill.
Oba Akinsanya said, “We
have delegated the Asiwaju of Remoland to meet with the governor in a bid to
help us in raising the £8,000 expenses needed to bring the monarch back home.
“We are really waiting
for the government to assist us now. The earlier we get the government’s
assistance, the better.”
The Ewusi said the
passage rite for the departed Akarigbo would commence as soon as the body was
brought back home.
Akarigbo, until his
death, was the Chairman of the Ogun State Council of Obas, and he died at the
age of 80.
The accountant-turned
monarch ascended the throne on July 14, 1990.
Oba Sonariwo was born on
July 28, 1936 and he died on Saturday, July 23, 2016.
When contacted, the state
Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Chief
Jide
Ojuko, refused to confirm the passage of the paramount ruler.
He said the government
was still waiting for official confirmation from the Remo Traditional Council.
Ojuko, who spoke to our
correspondent on the telephone, added that he learnt that the council met
on Sunday and Monday.
He said, “We are still
waiting for official report from the Remo Traditional Council. I learnt the
council met yesterday (Sunday) and they are meeting again today (Monday). Until
we have an official report on the monarch’s passage, we cannot make any
public announcement on it yet.”
...Punch
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