- Says I miss burger, pizza, other foods I can’t access as monarch
An easily noticeable trait of Oba Wasiu Oyedele Saka, the Elero of Ilero, a historical town in Oyo State, is his unwavering love for the Yoruba culture. The former branch chairman of Tricycle Operators Association in Shomolu, Lagos, ascended the throne when he least expected about six years ago. Since then, he has made remarkable strides in fostering growth and unity in the Oyo State community. The monarch, who insisted that this interview could only be held in his palace and in Yoruba language as a mark of commitment to his Yoruba heritage, spoke with ADENIYI ADEWOYIN about his life’s journey and his vision for his community, among other issues.
Can you share the story of your journey to becoming the monarch of Ilero?
When the immediate past king died, I was told that it was the turn of my family because there are five ruling families in the town. Initially, I was not aware that I could become the king. I was merely told that I needed to come back home to Ilero because the king had died and the next ruling family had to cook and be part of the burial ceremony. It was during that visit that I noticed the way people were greeting me so well.
Prior to that time, I had never lived much in Ilero. Unknown to me, the family had already had a meeting and selected me to become the next king. They told me that Ifa had chosen me from the three nominated sons of the ruling family. Initially, I declined. I was doing well in my office on Pedro Road in Shomolu, Lagos, so becoming an Oba was not in my plans at all. But eventually I sat down to think about it and finally accepted. I was enthroned in 2018.
What personal leadership traits influenced your decision to accept the kingship?
Where I came from, I was already a leader, leading people from various backgrounds. I already had the qualities of a good leader before ascending the throne. I was a unionist in the transport sector which had people from different backgrounds. So with my position then, I knew I had the required leadership experience.
Secondly, I am someone who is calm and respectful of young and old people. I am patient and I love to keep relationships. So I knew those qualities would be helpful.
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Also, as branch chairman of tricycle operators in Shomolu back then, I always made sure I gathered my executives before passing any judgment on issues brought to my table. That also has come handy.
Tell us about your time as a tricycle branch chairman and how it shaped your leadership style.
I was the branch chairman of Tricycle Operators in Shomolu, Lagos. We used to buy the tricycles and sell to people in installments. I was also into other businesses like interior decoration. I had to quit that office when it was time to ascend the throne. However, there are some benefits I still enjoy as an ex officio. As for interior decoration, I still do it; just that I have to assign it to my workers and make sure jobs are properly executed. I sell and help people build houses till now.
As a monarch, why is it important to have your personal business?
Truly we don’t have much time for work due to our very busy schedule. But if you already have a business of your own before ascending the throne, then you can continue. If a monarch does not have any job or business prior to his enthronement, that is different. But such a situation may push him into engaging in dubious stuff. The salaries being paid monarchs are not so much; they are just stipends that you cannot rely on for survival. Although your right as a king will always remain intact as it has been since the days of our forefathers, you must also focus on your personal businesses. For instance, a king can have a farm in his territory.
How did you navigate the transition from union leadership in Lagos to being a king in Ilero?
Firstly, the reality of changing the environment will definitely set in. The lifestyle changed. Friends and acquaintances also changed. Right now, I have become the leader of my town; the father of a community. I can’t play with friends like I used to. I can’t eat anyhow in public like before. I’m now more cautious of my actions as a monarch.
It was not very easy at first, but due to my easy-going nature from the outset, I was able to adapt to my new environment and role. My position as a branch chairman could be compared to that of a king. Union chairmen are always highly respected and are greeted just like kings. In the tricycle association, there are graduates and educated people. So our behavior was quite corporate. Sometimes if a monarch is not careful, a union leader may displace him at occasions.
At that time, we usually counseled our boys to behave themselves and that their wives must not come to report any of them for misconduct. So, I already had all the discipline before becoming a king. Aside all that, I’d say there are some foods I can’t access here, like burger, pizza and the likes, unlike in Lagos.
What plans do you have to preserve and promote Ilero’s cultural heritage?
As a monarch, I am the custodian of culture, tradition and everything in my domain. Personally, I’m not a religious fanatic. When I ascended the throne, I accepted all religions as well as the role of custodian to all culture and tradition and the deities. If you look around, you would see a mosque and a church. I built them when I became the king. We also have plans for our deities.
I attend Christian, Islamic and traditional functions when invited. I make sure I encourage young people to embrace our culture as Yoruba. We are also planning to hold a youth summit on the impact of education on the youth, health and security in the community.
When I first came here, I noticed there were ongoing religious disagreements, political disagreements and kingship disagreement. That was the first issue I tackled. I approached those concerned and spoke with them to settle the issues and work with me for a greater Ilero.
What are your aspirations for the development of Ilero?
We have plans, and part of it is our annual Ilero Day which is held every year. This event draws all the children of Ilero back home. Those who are in Lagos and those overseas usually come back home to celebrate the event. Part of our plans is to have them come and build houses and companies here. We thank God that some have already started making plans to build a housing estate, which will also have a nursing school in it among other things.
We have also reopened our Irepodun Market which we are planning to turn into an international market. We are looking forward to making it a modern structure like a plaza to boost its image. We have also written letters to the government to help us build a general hospital and also fix our dilapidated roads, including the roads that lead to our farms, because Ilero is the food basket of Oyo State. We have fertile lands for farming but our farmers have challenges getting to their farms due to bad roads. We are also working on having a bank here, so that we won’t have to go all the way to Iseyin for banking purposes.
We have so many natural resources in Ilero. Some of our children here are into mining. But we urge them to speak to the whites who are their bosses to bring their factories here and process the mineral here so that they can create job opportunities for our people here.
What message would you like to share with Ilero indigenes worldwide?
I urge them to come home often. There’s no evil or insecurity here. The government has deployed an anti-kidnapping squad here and we have more police and other security agencies. So, please come home for the festive season.
What do you enjoy doing in your leisure time?
I love to watch football because I’m a Barcelona fan. I also love to watch boxing. My favorite food is rice. But if I am in Lagos, I love to eat Pizza or take Cold Stone. I like amala too much, not so much (laughs).