Akarigbo: Remo Traditional Council meets Wednesday

•Passage rites can’t begin while body still in UK —Ewusi of Makun

Following the death of the paramount ruler and Akarigbo of Remoland, Oba Michael Adeniyi Sonariwo, the Remo Traditional Council will tomorrow meet to discuss the passing of the monarch.

Nigerian Tribune gathered that the meeting is scheduled for Sagamu Remo, Ogun State, headquarters of all the towns in Remo kingdom.

The emergency meeting will be attended by 33 royal fathers from towns and cities in Remoland.

Some of the Remo traditional rulers spoken to by the Nigerian Tribune expressed shock and sadness at the death of the monarch whom they described as an iconic figure.

“We should await the official announcement of his passing by Governor Ibikunle Amosun. It is very shocking and saddening that Kabiyesi had to leave now,” one of them said.

Meanwhile, the Nigerian Tribune has been reliably informed that Oba Sonariwo died without fulfilling some of his plans for Remo kingdom in general and Sagamu in particular.

It was his dream that a day would be fixed for all sons and daughters of Remoland to come together on Remo Day, where the progress and development of Remo would be discussed.

It was learnt that Oba Sonariwo expressed dissatisfaction with the state of township roads in Sagamu and planned to engage the political class as well as other stakeholders on how to address the challenge.

Meanwhile, the Ewusi of Makun, Sagamu, Oba Timothy Akinsanya, on Monday, said that the Remo Traditional Council will need a sum of £8,000 to bring back the remains of the Akarigbo and Paramount Ruler of Remoland, Oba Adeniyi Sonariwo.

The monarch, who spoke with journalists, in a telephone chat, said the council had sent a representative to the state government for financial assistance.

He said the news of the death of the traditional ruler was confirmed to him by one of his wives.

Ewusi said “We have delegated the Asiwaju of Remoland to meet with the governor in a bid to help us off-set the expenses to bring the monarch back home.

“We are really waiting for the government to assist us now. The earlier we get the government assistance the better.”

Oba Akinsanya said that the passage rites for the first class traditional ruler could not begin while his body is still in the UK.

The State Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Mr Jide Ojuko, said government had not gotten official confirmation on the monarch’s passage from the Remo Traditional Council.

He said “We are still waiting for official report from Remo Traditional Council. I learnt the council met on Sunday, and they are meeting again today. Until we have an official report on the monarch’s passage, we cannot make any public announcement on it.”