Kunle Adelabu
The Publisher of the Oriwu Sun newspaper, a foremost community newspaper in Africa, Alhaji Monzor Kolawole Olowosago, has appealed to the children of former Ayangbure of Ikorodu, late Oba (Dr.) Salaudeen Afolabi Adekoya Oyefusi, CON, to have a forgiven spirit like their father.
Alhaji Olowosago made the appeal at the weekend during the special Muslim prayer session held at the late Oba’s residence, Royal Castle of Peace, located at Lowa, lkorodu.
The media mogul said that despite that he was not invited to the remembrance event for the late Oba by his children, he decided to honour the monarch because of his respect for him”, Alhaji Olowosago said.
“I didn’t hear anything about the remembrance, but I read it in the news and I decided to turn up in honour of Baba, because of my relationship with him while he was alive.
“I even called the eldest son about today’s event, but I was unable to reach him.
“Late Oba Oyefusi was a good man and he was a forgiving Oba whom we must all emulate. His forgiveness is what I want to speak about. That is the crux of the matter today”, he added.
The publisher recalled his feud with the late monarch, which he said was caused by misperception, and how the matter was resolved.
“When I started Oriwu Sun newspaper about 40 years ago, I had issues with Baba, because he thought that I was using my paper to support my father against him”, he recalled.
“At a programme at Oriwu Club then, Baba told my reporter not to take his picture and that if he dared, he would destroy his camera and take it up with my media house.
“After the programme, my photographer reported the matter to me because I was not at the event, but I did not know that I offended Baba in anyway
“In our publication after the incident, I wrote an editorial where I appealed to Kabiyesi and emphasized that l was only doing my job as a journalist, and that l was not in any way fighting him.
“After that, Baba didn’t want to see me and I kept to my side. Despite my efforts to make peace with him, Baba didn’t want to see me despite the fact that one of his children is married into my family”.
Oriwu Sun publisher also narrated how a late teacher intervened and took him to Oba Oyefusi where the matter was resolved, and how he was honoured with the Chieftaincy title of Baroyin of lkorodu Kingdom (The Chief Media Person in Ikorodu Kingdom).
“At a point, one Mr Kalejaiye, who is now late, called me and said he wanted to take me to Baba to beg him, but I told him that I did nothing wrong to Baba, but l accepted to go with him.
“This is the first time that I will be recounting this account in the public.
“Late Kalejaiye had warmed me not to say anything when we get to Kabiyesi.
“On getting to the palace, Kabiyesi was sitting on a chair and I prostrated to greet him and he called me by my name and pronounced that he had forgiven me.
“Since then, he took me like his son and anytime that I travelled out of the country, I always bring gifts for him.
“I never went to him to request for any chieftaincy title, but suddenly, I received a letter from the palace conferring the title of Baroyin on me.
“That was how Baroyin was bestowed on me by the late King, after I apologised to him. I thank him greatly for the honour”, Alhaji Olowosago said.
He also stated that the late Oba’s reign brought development and peace to Ikorodu.
“He contributed greatly to the development of Ikorodu, and his reign witnessed peaceful and harmonious co-existence which I pray will continue to exist in Ikorodu.
“The central theme of my speech is forgiveness which the late king exemplified. May God grants him eternal rest”, he said.
lt would be recalled that the children of late Oba Oyefusi had a serious faceoff Chief Monzor Olowosago, during the rites of passage for their father, over a publication by Oriwu Sun, which they frowned at.
