Army prepared me for the throne —Oba Fasade, Owa of Igbajo

The Owa of Igbajo, Oba Adeniyi Fasade is a retired Major in the Nigerian Army having served meritoriously during and after Nigeria’s Civil War. Despite his civilian life, he glowed when he reminisced about his life as a soldier in this interview by TUNDE BUSARI.

When did you ascend the throne as a traditional ruler?

That was on August 5, 1990. That makes it almost 27 years. How time flies! It still looks like yesterday but we thank God that the day is not being remembered in regret. There is every reason to thank God because I became the secretary of the council of Obas. You know what that means? It means the council has confidence in me within the short time I ascended the throne.

What were you doing when the call to become the Owa came?

I was in Lagos where I was facing my private investments in contracts and supply. I was engrossed with these ventures until the immediate Owa died and the issue of succession came up.

How was the selection narrowed down to you at the end of the day?

It is beyond human comprehension. It is not something I can vividly explain. But I have to give glory to God that His plan for me, which was not disclosed to me, came to pass.

You sound as if your ascension surprised you. Were you?

Surprised is the least word.

Why?

I did not see myself as one who would be in this capacity. That was not because of any other thing. It was because I believed and still believe in orderliness as a retired soldier.

Can you shed more light on how a reluctant, retired soldier eventually got to the throne?

I was not reluctant in the true sense of the word. Every prince must be prepared to mount the stool without looking back. My military background should tell you that I was not and could not be reluctant. It is a call to service; it obtains in the military. What happened was that we already had somebody in mind to represent our ruling house.

Then what happened to the person?

Unfortunately for us, the person said he could not sacrifice his religion for the stool. I was at the meeting where he declined and said his faith would not allow him to ascend the throne. I was already a Deacon then too but I did not share his claim. I think everything bothers on interest but the family was not happy.

Can we then conclude that the man paved the way for you?

It was the family that paved the way for me. I can recall that after the Lagos meeting in which the man declined, another meeting was scheduled for Igbajo. But before then, my family had sent a message to me to attend the meeting. When I got to the meeting, the same issue was discussed and they said I should step into the race. I looked at them and said, ‘why me now?’ They said that was their decision. Then the soldier in me told me to tell them that I was ready if they were sincere about it. I told them my training would not allow me to run away from serving my people; after all I had served the nation. They were happy to hear that strong word from me. That was the beginning of my journey to the palace which led to August 5, 1990.

You are so passionate about your military career. What is the secret?

There is no secret other than the training we acquired in the military. It is enough to last one his lifetime. When they say once a soldier is ever a soldier, it is a serious talk. It is the truth. Military is built on discipline, perseverance and leadership. I can say it that the modest success I achieved in my post-military life can be attributed to the training.

How did you join the Army?

It was a voluntary decision I took when I felt it was most necessary. There was a slogan at the beginning of the civil war. The slogan was repeatedly said before the beginning of every news segment on radio. It read: “To keep Nigeria one is a task that must be done.” This was what really fired me up to join the Army. I was already gainfully employed after I had returned from the United Kingdom where I had studied.  I was in the office one day and saw the advert in the Daily Times inviting people to apply. I sent my application and received a reply. The rest was four and half months of training at the Nigerian Army Engineering Corps at New Bussa. It was months of rigorous training after which we were taken to Ede and later back to Lagos. My first duty was at Port-Harcourt after the place had been liberated. I worked under the then Colonel Olusegun Obasanjo in the Third Marine Commando. Obasanjo later said he wanted to reform the engineering section and posted me to Owerri at the 14th Infantry Brigade under Colonel Oni.

How did you disengage from the Army?

Just like I had joined the Army, when it was time for me to go, I retired voluntarily too.

What happened?

I felt there was no reason for me to remain in the Army after what took me there was no more there. I told you that the slogan of keeping Nigeria one attracted me to the Army. The war ended in 1970 and I left in 1978. What it means is that I even overstayed. Let me make it clear that the military was a place to be then. We were made comfortable. We had all we needed to perform well to ourselves. I should not have left but I had to go because of my principle. I knew I could also excel outside the army because I was earning a better pay before I joined. I can recall also that I told Obasanjo this when we were entering the Army. I showed my pay slip and they saw it. But Obasanjo told me that under six months I would fall in love with the Army. His word came to pass as I love the Army till today.

What did you retire into?

Don’t forget I was already familiar with the system as an engineer who was involved in so many construction works from the drawing level. I already had my contacts. So it was easy for me to get contracts and deliver as expected. I was a full time contractor and making good money. I was enjoying myself because I had other businesses in supplying of electronics and other things. I had no problem in terms of fund. That was one of the reasons I said the throne was not on my mind. Lagos was offering me opportunities and I was exploring those opportunities well.

Are you not missing that enjoyment now?

At the initial stage, I had to find a way of readjusting to the new environment. But because the army had trained us on how to adapt to every situation, it took me no time to readjust and blend with my people.

How did you cope with the Owa-In-Council soon after you came?

It was not easy. They were saying ‘this one is soldier o’. But with time, we were able to understand one another and now, we have formed a formidable team.