The Olu of Imashayi, Yewa North Local Government Area of Ogun State, Oba Lukman Kuoye, takes DAUD OLATUNJI through his battles growing up and his journey to the throne

Who is the Olu of Imasayi?

The Olu of Imasayi is Kuoye Luqman Olamilekan. I was born on April 18, 1970 to Prince/Alhaji Rafiu Oladele Kuoye and Princess Suliyat Kuoye of blessed memory.

What schools did you attend?

I was registered at UMC Primary School, Eleja, Ado-Odo in 1973. From there, I moved to St. Stephens Commercial High School in September, 1979 and I completed in1984.

What did you do after secondary school?

I did effectively the first time I took my (Senior School Certificate Examination) papers, but I didn’t pass mathematics and so I needed to retake my papers at Alama Grammar School, Ado-Odo in 1985. The most regrettable and disconcerting part was that my outcomes were not launched. So, I chose that instead of sitting down at home, doing nothing, I would find out an occupation. I then decided to discover plumbing however one of my siblings, who is now a designer, disagreed and insisted I should not desert school. He stated if it was someone else, he would have given his approval however for me, he would not since I was brilliant and he desired me to advance my education. But then, there was no money, so I needed to work as a bus conductor until 1988 when I registered at Ado-Odo High School to retake the SSCE and I finally had great grades. Afterwards, in between 1988 and 1989, I acquired admission into St. Andrews College of Education, Oyo, where I studied Political Science, English. When I was in my 3rd year, about graduating, things became so difficult economically that I had to quit school.

What did you do after leaving?

I returned to do transport business and luckily for me, I succeeded and I was able to raise money to return to school. I went to the Lagos State University to study Social Work Administration at Diploma level. On ending up, I enrolled for my first degree.

I had a speaker, Prof. Adebowale M.A., who is also from Ado-Odo. Whenever he saw me, he would state, “Kuoye, if you didn’t end up College of Education, please make sure you get your very first degree.”

Likewise, I had two good friends then– Prof. Adewole Atere, who now operates at the Osun State University; and Dr Kunle Ogundele, who is the Director, Centre for Regional Planning, Lagos State University– who also kept mounting pressure on me that I need to continue my education. With their motivation, I finished my first degree and then continued for my master’s. After bagging my master’s, these individuals still didn’t stop mounting pressure on me to opt for PhD. I used to a number of universities for my PhD. When the issue of ending up being a queen came, I was in the middle of my PhD programme. Presently, I am still studying for PhD at the Lagos State University.

Have you needed to work with your first and master’s degrees?

I worked as a business supervisor of a transportation company prior to I later on developed my own transport business.

You diverted into politics at some time. Why was that?

I signed up with politics at a very young age. The first political celebration I signed up with was NAP (Nigeria Advance Party). Later on, I joined UNCP (United Nigeria Congress Party) and became the youth leader for the whole of Ado-Odo Ota Local Government Area of Ogun State. In the future, I transferred to the PDP (Peoples Democratic Party) when it was established. At the time, the PDP was tagged the opponents of the Yoruba, due to the fact that the AD (Alliance for Democracy) was the ruling party. But in spite of that, in my own constituency, myself and about 14 other persons guaranteed that our party, the PDP, won 5 wards. And that was how I started to grow in politics then. I worked for the party for numerous years; I was a member the PDP National Convention Planning Committee in 2005/2006.

When OGD (Otunba Gbenga Daniel) was running for governor, I was the youngest among the couple of people called from the ward to work for the GFF structure. We had a hard time and we thank God, I was made an organizer for OGD project in Ado-Odo and Igbesa. When the celebration won, the battle continued and in 1998 I likewise struggled to be a councillor. I think that I won the election, but as I stated previously, the AD was stronger then.

I later on ended up being the Vice Chairman of Ado-Odo Local Government Area from 2003 to 2007. After that, I was later on designated as Secretary to the local government transitional committee with Chief Abayomi Tella as the chairman. I was anticipating I would be chairman but as luck would have it, that was what I was offered. When I had to do with finishing that, I was designated as a Special Assistant to OGD and I held the position till 2011.

When did you give up politics?

In 2010 when I lost my other half, I wanted to quit politics. At the time, I was still running my master’s programme and I was also doing my necessary nine-month internship at the Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Aro, Abeokuta. After my convocation in 2011, I left the Government House and I was thinking of what to do next because I didn’t wish to join the league of individuals who describe themselves as professional political leaders.

I saw a task ad by the National Identification Management Commission and I looked for a position with my master’s and as God would have it, about two years after I used I received a text that I need to appear in Abuja for screening; then later at the University of Lagos for CBT test. Three months later, they informed me that I had actually been shortlisted for the task and I was invited to Abuja. I was utilized and put on Level Nine. I was posted to Niger State. I worked there for a few weeks and after that I was published to Ogun State.

In 2014, I was published to Ipokia and I established the Idi-Iroko and Ipokia centres. From Ipokia, I was transferred to Owode Idi-Iroko and after that to Ilaro. I later on became the Ogun State Chairman, Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria, NIMC Unit. I held the position up until I had to follow the call to be a king in my hometown and I resigned.

Your enthronement was opposed by one of the chiefs. Has the problem been laid to rest now?

Throughout the time of my instant predecessor, the late Oba Gbadebo Idowu, who reigned for over 30 years, there was no such chief as you suggested. He (my predecessor) stated when he assumed the throne, he did not fulfill any such chief in the Imashayi Council of Chiefs. And in the records and files that I have before me in the palace, there is absolutely nothing like that.

Soon, we will be filling the job. I have actually established a committee that will deal with that. For almost 37 years, the position was empty and the supposed occupier similarly understands this fact.

What plans do you have for the kingdom?

I have short-term and long-term strategies and I am dealing with them and by God’s grace when I am through, I would have established the town. We have workforce but there are no industries in Imashayi and this is among the areas of focus.

How do you prepare to bring industries to Imashayi?

When I came on board, I was taking a look at how I could bring 5,000 services into Imashayi since that is one of the things that can alter the status of the indigenes and citizens of this town.

Take a look at Igbesa; initially there was just one roadway that led into igbesa but now, Igbesa has many paths. From our end here, we don’t have any path. Igbesa is extremely industrialised now. That is what I am planning for Imashayi.

Did you constantly understand you would become an Oba?

Let me be sincere with you, I did not. Since of my prominence in town, I had actually become the Aare of Imashayi in 2006. But I did not envisage becoming the king.

How did you become your family’s choice for the throne?

We had a family meeting in Imashayi and they told me my family would produce the next oba. I said it was fine but I was not interested in becoming an oba. My daddy called and said, “Omo Oba (prince), why did you turn down the deal?” Likewise, among my siblings concerned me about 5 times to encourage me, but I firmly insisted that I was not interested.

Why were you not interested?

I had other plans. My forecast was that by October 20, 2022, I would resign as a public servant and do some other things that I have always wished to do. That was how I had actually configured my life. And I am not a power monger. Rather of myself, I was advancing my junior bro, Mr Rahmon Olanrewaju, who is the representative for UBA International. He too declined the offer. In truth, he even came down to Ado-Odo and told me, “Egbon (huge bro), you are the one who needs to be the oba because you are more detailed to the community.”

Still not convinced, I recommended another brother however he similarly declined. After that, my household called me to a meeting and warned me against rejecting the deal. They even asked me, “Do you want this thing to go away from our family?” And that was the point I gave up after talking to my clerics.

The number of better halves do you have?

I have 3 better halves now. My very first wife was the late Alhaja Fasilat Bankole. We started when I was in secondary school. She was in Ado-Odo High School and I remained in St. Stephen in Imashayi. We had a difficulty (having children) and the family believed that I was impotent. So, I needed to attempt somebody else. And this is the factor my boy from the second better half is older, by 3 months, than the firstborn of my very first better half.

When my 2nd spouse had an issue, I married the third one. I am not weding once again. My younger partner is still active. We married about 23 years back. She can still offer me more children.

For how long have you been on the throne?

I was provided the staff of workplace on August 26, 2021. We sought advice from the oracle and I spent a month in Ipebi. I used the standard town crown, which originated from Oyo in about 1776 or so. I have actually been on the throne for near 5 months.

What has ending up being an oba changed about you?

A lot of things, because I ‘d like to explain myself as an extrovert. As a neighborhood leader, you need to limit yourself to specific things. You can not be talking as you like, as it were.

I am somewhat unstable but this position has actually taken that from me. Politically I was well-known for taking a stance– if you are not for me, you protest me. But in this position with a few of the steps I have taken, a lot of people think I am a fool. I understand I am not a fool. I was even encouraged by His Royal Majesty, Oba Dr Kehinde Gbadewole, Olu of Ilaro of Yewaland, who stated to me, “Alayeluwa, talk less; it is not every matter that you ought to take interest in.” And as I stated in my message during the coronation event, my own sort of oba can’t be all over.

How do you combine running PhD program at LASU with being a king?

I have actually started taking a seat with my associates. I told my speakers, “Please, I have actually dropped my obaship at the entrance of the lecture room. If you wish to send me a message, go on.”

Which is why I do not go to the lecture space as a king but as a trainee. I don’t use my crown to school; I will simply place on my small cap. Sometimes, I go in there with just buba and sokoto. And that is why I am being accorded the status of a trainee of the university. Throughout my inauguration, numerous of my lecturers came. They told me, “In Yewaland, you are in charge; however in LASU, we are the bosses.”

Do you still have time to read as much as you did prior to ending up being a king?

Studying for PhD is various from first degree and second degree. After the very first exam, the rest is about doing and making presentations fieldwork. I have been presenting papers and I am likewise a member of the association of medical employees in addition to NASU.

How do we manage your faith and custom?

After I ended up being an oba, I went into privacy since it is regular for me to observe the needed rites. I was taken to the shrines and taught how to manage the shrine traditions. While I was in Ipebi, I prayed 5 times daily (as a Muslim).

Exist things thought about as taboos for the Oba of Imashayi?

When I remained in Ipebi, I was told I need to not consume catfish and cow intestinal tract. However after I came out, they said I could go on to eat them. In Imashayi, we do not consume mushrooms.

How do you relax?

Considering that I became an oba, I have actually not had any chance of relaxation. Virtually weekly, I do have programmes.

What is your favourite meal?

I enjoy consuming yam and palm oil but I haven’t been eating it much because the kind of oil I like to utilize is not readily available in Imashayi.

What is your favourite music?

It is would be music of Osupa (Saheed) and Sefiu Alao.

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Source: The PUNCH

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