Chief (Sir) Adekunle Oni, of the famous Oni and sons family, is the Chairman/ Chief Executive Officer of Kunle Oni Insurance Brokers, is also the Balogun of Oke Imesi Ekiti . As he is installed as the Baba Ijo, Ebenezer African Church Cathedral today, he relives his childhood days, disclosing among other issues that it was a sin not to join the family devotion in this interview with YEMISI AOFOLAJU.
Some qualities would have qualified you for the exalted position of Baba Ijo of your church, what have you been able to do in your own little way?
Once one is a member of a church, one should endeavour to make one’s contributions positively. Well, my family, the family of Chief T .A .Oni has been in this church for a very long time. Some of us, the children, joined this church having seen what he did; we had to emulate our father’s deeds by ensuring that we contribute our own quota. I belong to three men societies namely: Fountain of Hope 27NG, Christian Improvement Society and Young Men Progressive Society and I am an Evangelist.
Do you still evangelise?
Yes, I do.
Do you go to the villages to do that or you limit it to the city?
Well, I do not go to the villages, but when the need arises for me to do so, I do, especially when there are issues in our local assemblies. I ensure I contribute my quota according to the tenet of the Bible.
What did you learn from your father while growing up?
He taught us to be honest and must be educated, even where some of the kids were slow learners, he still insisted by sending them to school. In a nutshell, he taught us to be honest, straight-forward and hardworking.
How did you start a typical day in your home in those days?
We started by observing our morning devotion, though some of us were fond of dozing.
What was the penalty then if any of you missed the morning devotion?
The individual would be flogged, asked to face the wall or hang one of his legs for hours. Papa was a strict disciplinarian.
What was your mother’s reaction then?
She pretended as if she supported him. In those days, the father could also punish the mother as well. Whenever any of the children misbehaved then, our mother would lock herself up in her room.
As a young man, what were your dreams?
I had the dream of being successful like any normal human being.
Specifically, what career did you dream of?
What I had in mind was to become a doctor.
Did you eventually become one?
No.
Why?
Laughs… Would I say I was lazy in some of the science subjects? Though at the end of the day, I scaled through the science subjects (Chemistry and Biology), but I ended up as an Insurance Executive, a Chartered Insurer.
It appears Nigerians don’t listen to Insurers stories these days, what went wrong?
What went wrong is that the general public was not properly educated on the meaning and import of Insurance. All you hear people say now is ’God is my insurance’ or ‘I want to eat before thinking of any insurance’. But these days, there is a body called NCRLB, body for insurance brokers who tend to go out these days to educate the public through seminars, even for the brokers and insurance executives on how to market their products.
Aren’t you of the opinion that our approach in Nigeria is strange?
You could be right to an extent; the reason whoever wants any policy must go through an expert- insurance broker, who has a lot to lose if he misbehaves, to place your insurance. An ordinary trained agent can place your insurance, though there are also unregistered insurance brokers, who might not be able to effect claimed settlement. With time, I believe the scenario will improve.
Is any of your children interested in your profession?
Not really, but eventually two of them are already stepping into my shoes as I am not getting younger and I have retired.
How old are you?
I am 77. Out of the two who had no choice than taking the profession up, one is into banking and has decided to take it up. He is even raising some money. All I have told them is just to be giving me monthly allowance. I thank God for this. The main man is likely to retire from the banking as he has spent close to 16 years in the industry.
What was growing up like?
It was very interesting. I had my primary education in the same school with my father, St James’ Primary School, Oke Bola, Ibadan, from there I went to Ibadan Grammar School. After my secondary education, I worked for few months before I travelled out of Nigeria. I graduated in Business Studies and Insurance.
What pranks were you noted for as a teenager?
Without mincing words, I was a gentle boy. I could remember I was only caned once by my father.
Why were you caned?
It was when my late brother and I played a fast one on a lady who happened to be Dr Ikejiani’s sister by holding her bust from the back. We ran into a nearby bush at Oke Ado as the lady pursued us after carrying out our mission. She actually recognised us and came to report us to our father. Immediately we sighted her we ran out again but my father caught up with us and gave us several strokes of the cane. This was the only time I was caned.
What did you go for in the choice of a life partner?
I went for a pretty, loving, honest and hardworking lady.
Was being literate not a priority then?
It was a big priority. I met my first woman in London.
Is she a Nigerian?
Yes, I had four children from her. But we parted ways.
Why?
We disagreed, which I believe the Bible allows.
But the Bible gives a condition…?
If found unfaithful? No, she was not unfaithful! We did not just see eye to eye! We were incompatible.
But she had four children for you…?
Laughs…
Is she still alive?
Yes, she is very much alive. I spoke with her a couple of days ago. We came back to Nigeria together in 1968.
And you did not make effort to reconcile?
No. She was too jealous!
And you were a ladies man!
Not quite. How old was I then?
Then, it will not be out of place to say inexperience or youthful exuberance caused the break up?
Nothing like youthful exuberance! It could have been inexperience on both sides, because I got married early, that was before I clocked 24. So, what did we know about keeping a family then?
But now with experience, age and other considerations, she never staged a comeback?
No. I had gotten another woman.
What principle of life is closest to your heart?
Being positive about life, never giving up is my philosophy of life.
How do you unwind?
Then, I used to relax over about two bottles of beer.
Do you still take beer?
Not anymore. I take only water now.
How close are you to Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu now?
I only met him when he came for his National Youth Service Corps at Herboni TA Oni and Sons. I remember I had one eatery at Molete then, Franky Fast Food, where he used to be. He eventually got married to Remi Ikusebiala and my brother too got married to Remi’s sister.
Have you lost contact with him?
How can I see him now? It is not possible. I remember I got in touch with him once and he told me ‘Egbon, please come’, but must be prepared to see him at about 3am! I can understand how busy he is.
Did you flaunt your father’s name/success? His name would have opened doors apart from being honest and hard working?
He taught us to be hard working. I could still remember that I wanted an insurance business from a contractor then but his general manager turned me down, but the contractor ensured that I got the job because my father had helped him sometime at Public Works Department (PWD). However, my father was not the type who believed in using his name to open doors always. He believed that we have to struggle to make our names and where it became necessary for him to help, he would not hesitate.
There are so many things in your father’s name, like Oni and Sons Children Hospital among others. It was learnt that he gave the building to Oyo State government?
No, he did not give it on freebies!
Is the state government still paying?
The state government paid till 2004. The successive administrations did not pay. I am not referring to Ajimobi’s administration. The days of default dates back to Lam Adesina’s days as governor.
No it was not. His will read that ’Use this property for the benefit of Ibadan community as hospital’, he did not mention the body it should be given to. At a point, we approached the UCH, they were initially glad about this offer, but they had no fund, later late Chief Bola Ige was invited, he took it up and did well. The agreement was signed during Oladayo Popoola’s administration for just 1000 pounds per annum! We only made it 2000naira! The hospital is running though with challenges.
What have you been able to do in your own community to affect lives?
Well, in my own little way, I have been able to help by sending some students to school. Right now, I have a house boy who I ensure that he goes to school without missing his allowance, he has finished his National Diploma and he is planning to go for Higher National Diploma , and he is also being supported by my children.
As the new Baba Ijo of the Ebenezer African Church Cathedral, what do you intend to do differently?
Well, I will ensure that the church moves forward and that some of our youths who are not employed are given an avenue to defend their papers. I will also ensure that we organise empowerment targeted seminars for church members, specifically the young ones among other programmes.
What would you like to be remembered for?
I would like to be remembered for charity, kindness and carefulness as well.
Now that you are retired, what do you do?
Laughs…. I eat, sleep and go to the club. I only ask my people to bring whatever I have to do in the office to me in the house. I socialise lightly these days.