Erinmo is destined for great things —Elerinmo of Erinmo

Oba Michael Odunayo Ajayi is the Elerinmo of Erinmo, often called Atobatele (a royal personage) long before he ascended the throne. He speaks with TUNDE BUSARI. On his ascension, why his moniker has nothing to do with him becoming king and the inspection of health facilities in his community by the health minister, among other issues.

Many call you Atobatele though you are a king. Do you feel slighted?

I should see this from the angle of compliments. Thank God I was not at that gathering where you heard that and I don’t know any of the discussants. Their description of me is their impression about my personality.

Does it have to do with your frame or dress sense?

I can’t say, because I don’t know how they came about it. Honestly, I don’t know. All I know is that my rise to the throne is God ordained. If you go back to the history of Erinmo, you will know and understand the place of Arowotaya from where I come. The history of my father too, which is recent, is also there to serve as reference point about the position I am holding today. It is not about Atobatele, royal blood runs through my veins as Arowotaya.

Can we then say that consciousness influenced the way you carried yourself before you eventually became the Elerinmo?

Still, it depends on how you look at me; it depends on the angle from where you look at me. You should not forget that I was a student, undergraduate, a corporate person who held high positions of responsibility both at home and beyond. If these are put together, you see a whole me. Then, when I became the Elerinmo, it is easy to forget that I used to be in shirts and suits. By and large, I had no time to flaunt my royal status because I was too pre-occupied with a lot of things. Maybe, when the issue of succession came, things changed and my outlook also changed.

Did you actually prepare for the throne?

Let me be honest with you: every prince is entitled to throne and he is conscious of this in the way he behaves outside and relates to the public.

Do you mean a prince is supposed to be arrogant and possibly above the law?

How would I have said that? That is not possible. A prince who is known to be arrogant will find it difficult to convince his people when selection time comes. Similarly, a prince who claims to be above the law is only deceiving himself. This is modern world where the law is supreme and no respecter of anybody. If a prince runs afoul of the law, he is on his own.

Coming from your background as an international figure always shuttling between Africa and America, is this new life not boring?

It cannot be. This is a new position of responsibility. I have seen what I needed to see in the other world. Returning home to my source is a rare opportunity which does not come to everyone. So, I have no reason to regret. I am good serving my people and writing my own history as the Elerinmo of Erinmo.

What advice do you have for the new Aare Ona Kakanfo?

Time has changed; so are the traditional functions of Aare Ona Kakanfo. But I am convinced that Aare Adams is capable of understanding this dynamism and he has set the ball rolling with what we have so far seen in his moves and approaches to issues. His selection and installation enjoyed the best publicity both on conventional media and new media. I can only wish him more success.

How significant was the visit of the Minister of Health, Professor Isaac Adewole to you and the town in December?

It may interest you that the historic visit coincided with the Boxing Day, December 26 when the yuletide was in the air and a good number of Erinmo indigenes who came home for Christmas were in town. It was a memorable experience to have the Honourable Minister in Erinmo on that special day after Christmas. You may say the time of the visit was apart of its significance. Seriously speaking, the minister came and inspected two health care facilities which need attention. He saw the state of the two facilities and left there with a promise to equip them among other things so that they can be functional. He set a target of June for the completion to underscore his determination to make the facilities work.

This development must have excited you?

That is an understatement. The minister’s visit and his promise to turn around the two facilities have really rekindled my hope. Since I ascended the throne of my forefathers, the improved life of my people has always been my pre-occupation. I have set a target for myself and I am walking towards getting to the target point. Erinmo must rise. Erinmo of my time must live its destiny as a potential great town. By the time these two health facilities are complete, other things will start to come to consolidate how far we have gone since I became the Elerinmo. For instance, I recently inaugurated a petroleum station in the town to boost economic activities. You know that Erinmo is an important route which is daily plied by Abuja-bound passengers. Having this petrol station is a way of making the travelers to have a stop-over to buy fuel and also patronise our traders. Also, I have inaugurated a Cooperative Society Bank for my people. Adding the two together, we have a growing economy, an evidence of development I promised when I came. Although it is a gradual thing, Rome was not built overnight. Little drops of water make an ocean. As I have said, Erinmo is destined for great things and these things shall come during my reign and the whole world will celebrate with us here.

You are usually seen in the midst of children. Can you shed more light on your penchant for mixing with the children at public places?

As regards that, there is nothing special in identifying with little children. I was once a child and only God knows what the future holds for them. When I was growing up like them, I was not saying I would be the Elerinmo because the position goes beyond what one plans for. But here I am today. The little boy of yesterday is sitting on the throne. On the day of Christmas, they were here in the palace for what I call the annual Children’s Christmas party. We held it together with the 1st Thanksgiving ceremony by the Erinmo Mass Choir. When we talk of legacy, this is one of the legacies a leader must strive to leave behind for future generation. Whatever we do today becomes history tomorrow. The kids may appear as if they don’t capture the full import of this gathering. But I must tell you that they are blessed with fertile minds that will recall this event in future. At times, I find myself in the realm of nostalgia and shake my head and give glory to God for where he has taken me to. Before the Christmas party, I was in the midst of little children during the 2017 Children’s Harvest of the Christ Apostolic Church, Oke Isegun, Headquarters, Erinmo here. It was another interesting occasion during which I spoke with them and danced. They were very happy to see me dancing with them under a free atmosphere. Let the little children come to us because the future is theirs.

The popular London-based IyaAdura, Reverend Mother Esther Abimbola Ajayi, was also in Erinmo. Could you tell us her mission?

Are you aware of the Ori Oke Erinmo? This is a place of spiritual uplifting, a place where prayers are offered and answered. Iya Adura is a successful woman of God whose name opens door. When she travelled down from London to Erinmo with about 70 members, I knew it was a serious mission. Their trip was successful and the people of Erinmo thank her for the visit.

The month of December was action-packed with your women empowerment initiative. Can you tell us more about it?

Let me put it this way. Last December, as you have observed rightly, was a December to remember for a long time. It was a historic month as we moved from one event to another. About 100 women whom were enrolled in Oba Arowotawaya Empowerment Initiative (in conjunction with GIGA Time Hope Foundation) received their certificates of participation. I personally presented the certificates to them with royal blessings that they will all succeed. The certificates were not given to them on a platter of gold. They all worked to earn them. They passed through rigorous training. I appreciate all the facilitators and the two Europe-based women of substance Bisi and Nonye. They were wonderful while the training lasted.

How did you emerge a member of Board of Trustees of Yoruba Odu’a Union in the Diaspora?

That question should be better directed to those who came to that decision. I was notified and presented with an official letter which was effective from November 1, 2017. That is all I can say, but one should be conscious of where I was coming from before I became the Elerinmo. I think I tried my best possible to make a mark in business and the corporate world beyond the shores of Nigeria.

Can you tell me more about Yoruba Odu’a Union in the Diaspora?

It is a platform founded by technocrats and professionals with a view to keeping Yorubas on the  right track at all time, both at home and in the Diaspora.