Sorrow hung over Sagamu, the political headquarters of Remoland, Ogun State, like dew, yesterday, as news of the death of the paramount ruler of the town, Oba Michael Adeniyi Sonariwo, Erinjugbo broke.

Palace sources told Daily Sun that the paramount ruler died in a London hospital on Saturday at about 1.00pm during a brief illness. He reportedly travelled to the UK five weeks ago where he had a surgical operation a fortnight ago for an undisclosed illness.

The late Ogun monarch, who was the chairman of the Council of Obas and Traditional Rulers, was installed Akarigbo on July 14, 1990 as successor to Oba Moses Sowemimo Awolesi, Erinwole II, who reigned between 1892 and 1988.

A Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountant, Oba Sonariwo, who was born in Ita Eleye, Lagos in 1936, was the 18th prominent traditional ruler of Sagamu.

Already, security operatives including policemen have been deployed in the town as well as the palace and private homes of the monarch to avert any likely breakdown of law and order.

Also, operatives of the state security outfit, Vigilante Service of Ogun State and Oodua Peoples Congress have also taken strategic positions in the town.

All entrance gates to the palace were locked, while residents of Sagamu were seen in groups discussing the passage in whispers.

The late Akarigbo became an orphan at the age of six, in 1942, after his father, Prince Michael Adeyemi Sonariwo, died on August 28, 1924 having lost his mother earlier. He later became successful in life through hard work, dedication to duties and what he called element of luck.

Both the state government and Akarigbo-in-Council are expected to make official announcement of the passage within the next few days after certain rites of passage would have been done.

“I can tell you that our revered Akarigbo has joined his ancestors, like those before him, but the Akarigbo-in-Council must perform certain rites before his passage could be officially made,” the reliable source confirmed.

•Credit (except headline): Daily Sun. Photo shows late Oba Michael Adeniyi Sonariwo, Erinjugbo.

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