Author of Matiiku, and lecturer, Department of Linguistics, University of Lagos, Dr. Bisoye Eleshin has said that the void in the historical facts that characterised the rift between Oba Sanusi Olusi and Esugbayi of Lagos, especially the sacrifice paid by Oba Olusi inspired him to write the play set in the colonial time. Matiiku is an 81-page stage play written in Yoruba language by Dr. Eleshin on the travails of Oba Sanusi Olusi of Lagos.
He stated that he chose to write the play in Yoruba language because most of the issues of the time were carried out in Yoruba language, which is indigenous to the people. He noted that he may consider translating the play into English later in the future.
“I wrote about Oba Sanusi Olusi and purposely used Yoruba language because, at that time, most of these issues were carried out in Yoruba language of the indigenous people at that time. Later, I may consider the translation into English,” he said. Dr. Eleshin spoke at the public presentation of the play at the J F Ade Ajayi Hall, University of Lagos, Akoka Lagos recently.
According to him, notwithstanding the controversies that trailed his reign as an Oba in Lagos, Oba Olusi was not celebrated enough in history.
“The crux of the book is that against the wish of Oba Olusi’s supporters and that of the wish of the royal families, Sanusi Olusi left the throne in order to make peace reign in Lagos. He did not want problem for Lagos entirely. And that was the climax of the play. But, I discovered that this particular action has not been celebrated enough because when he left the tension and the pressure reduced in Lagos. So, that is the reason I felt the need to write about this man who has not been celebrated enough,” he said.
A stage performance of Matiiku was presented by students of the Department of Linguistics and African and Asia Studies, University of Lagos during the launch.
Oba Olusi reigned between 1928 and 1931and was a royal stock in Lagos. He is the grandson of Prince Olusi, the son of Ologun kutere.
Recalling the travails of Oba Olusi in the play, the author recalled that when Olusi became the Oba of Lagos, things were tough in Lagos as there were agitations, controversies and conflicts. These, he said, was due to the water rate problem at the time. “The colonial masters wanted the Lagosians to pay for the provision of pipe borne water from Iju Water Works. But, the people did not want to pay. The sitting king at that time, Oba Esugbayi was on the side of the masses. He did not want his people to pay. Although, there was a time he eventually succumbed. Because of that, the colonial masters removed him. They stopped his salary in 1920,and five years later he was deported to Oyo.
“After that, Ibikunle Akintoye was made the king of Lagos and reigned between 1925 and 1928 before he died.
After his death in 1928, Sanusi Olusi became the Oba of Lagos. All along, the famous Herbert Macaulay was fighting to bring back Esugbayi from Oyo. He took the case to the Privy Council in England. Eventually, Esugbayi was asked to return to Lagos from Oyo. Sanusi Olusi was still the king on throne at that time. His supporters felt that how they could bring Esugbayi to Lagos while there is an Oba on the throne.
So, conflict erupted and his supporters did not want him to leave the throne for Esugbayi. Although, the colonial government at that time wanted him to leave but they persuaded him to leave the throne. However, all his supporters said he should not leave,” he said.
On whether the play was written specifically to celebrate Oba Olusi, he said: “The word celebration as it is used is to make it known that Olusi’s actions should be celebrated – that is the message of the play because Olusi felt that if he continued as the Oba of Lagos, things might become bloody and he decided to vacate the throne. The essence of bringing it back is for historical reason. We should know. That is why they in Africa, when an old man dies, it is like a library is set ablaze. When I was collecting materials for this particular book – I spent about 4 years – I discovered that many people do not really like to talk about it. I don’t know why they felt so, while some were very eager to talk about it. That means a lot of people do not know. If historians do not talk about it, it is risky because there will be a serious gap and that gap is not healthy.
“…Olusi did not force himself on the people. It was the government who had the authority to do that and made him the king through the King makers. He abdicated the throne for peace to reign. That can also be extended to another message that can be deduced from the play, and that is sacrifice. That is why I called the play Matiiku: An act of self-sacrifice. How can a king give up his post without putting on any fight just for peace to reign? “
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