Remembering Sir Adesoji Aderemi – The Ooni of Ife who was first African to be appointed governor in Commonwealth

The agitation for Nigeria’s independence from the British Colonial government took many dramatic turns and had many other effects, but the role played by the different actors didn’t go unnoticed. The role played by this monarch, despite being aware that independence would limit his administrative power as a monarch made him a great beneficiary when the demand for self government was granted.

Oba Adesoji Aderemi, the 49th Ooni of Ife land in Ile-Ife, Osun state, Southwest Nigeria had an engaging personality that elevated him to the very top of the society, breaking all tradition and cultural protocols to become the first and only Nigerian to be a monarch and a governor – combining traditional and political power.

In July 1960, Sir Aderemi was appointed Governor of Western Region which consists of the present day Oyo, Ogun, Ondo, Osun, Ekiti, Edo, Delta and Lagos States. Lagos being the seat of power and the base of the colonialists at that time was not part of the Western Region.

The saying that monarchs don’t get involved in politics was proved wrong by Oba Aderemi. He didn’t just hold political power, he used it well to global acclaim. He was not just a Governor-King, he was the first Black man to be appointed governor across the Commonwealth – the empire controlled by British colonialists across Africa and beyond.

Born November 15, 1889, to the family of Adekunbi Itiola and Osundeyi Gbadebo – an Ifa priest, young Aderemi started life as a Prince without growing under the tutelage of his father who died when he was eight years old. He was raised by his mother who ensured he fulfilled destiny and the prophecy that he was going to be a King.

He was enrolled at St Philip’s School, Ife in 1901 as one of the pioneer students and later enrolled in an overseas correspondence school as a private tutor. Before politics and kingship came calling, he had a stint in the public service working with the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC). He later went into private business running a transport company and trading in palm oil, cocoa and other agricultural produce that were the ‘crude oil’ of that era.

By 1930 when he was selected as the 49th Ooni of Ife following the transition of Oba Ademiluyi Ijagun, he was acclaimed to be an outstanding choice and a perfect candidate for the throne.

As a product of education and one with a good understanding of its importance, he empowered his people with knowledge by founding the town’s first secondary school, Oduduwa College, in 1932, reputed to be the first privately owned college in Nigeria. He also influenced the citing of the University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University) to Ile-Ife through his close relationship with the then Premier of Western Region, Obafemi Awolowo.

As a member of the Action Group (AG), a foremost political party dominant in the Western Region under the leadership of Awolowo, Aderemi became a member of the Legislative Council of Nigeria in 1946 and was there till 1951. The monarch would later become a member of the Nigerian Federal House of Representatives as well as minister in the Central Government from 1952-1954.

In March 1953, when Sir Anthony Enahoro moved the motion for Nigeria’s independence by 1956, the motion was opposed and defeated at the Federal House of Representatives by the Northern People’s Congress, to the delight of the British colonialists. The Action Group and the National Council of Nigeria and the Cameroons (NCNC) staged a walkout from the House and prominent figures like Oba Aderemi resigned from the Council of Ministers.

Despite overtures from the Governor-General, John McPherson, who lobbied him to see reasons why independence will not be in his interest as a monarch because it will take away his administrative powers, Aderemi chose national interest over personal aggrandizement and insisted on independence.

Three months before independence on October 1, 1960, Aderemi was appointed governor of western region in July 1960 and held the position till 1962.

His personality brought dignity, global recognition to the Yoruba nation. He was one of the most famous monarchs in Africa during his time. In a caption on a photo taken during his visit to the Secretary-General of the United Nations, U Thant, in 1968, at the UN Headquarters on July 31, 1968, the UN described Aderemi as the ‘Spiritual leader of the Yorubas of Nigeria’.

He didn’t only earn global recognition for Yorubaland and Nigeria, he made remarkable achievements and established lasting institutions that changed the fortune of the land and the people. As the first educated Ooni of Ife, Oba Aderemi facilitated telephone services to Ile-Ife in 1938, and built an official residence for the Ooni. He also established the Ife museum of antiquities in 1938. In 1947, he established a newspaper – New times of Nigeria with Awolowo as the managing editor. The newspaper birthed the Nigerian Tribune owned by Awolowo and was established in 1948.

Sir Aderemi played a crucial role in the political crisis of the western region in 1962 which led to the removal of Chief Ladoke Akintola as the Premier. It was Aderemi, in his capacity as the governor who removed the Premier while acting on a letter signed by some members of the House and promptly inaugurated a new Premier, Alhaji Dauda Adegbenro,

He spent 50 years on the throne as Ooni of Ife and was a globally recognised and respected monarch who was knighted twice by Queen Elizabeth before his transition in July 7, 1980, just four months before his 91st birthday.

Awolowo who is also now late described Aderemi as a rare breed who put the interest of his people first and never allowed selfish interests drive him.

“During all our innumerable meetings, discussions and conversations, the late Ooni did not, even on a single occasion, raise any issue of personal benefit to himself. His sole concern at all times was the welfare of his dear people in Ile-Ife, and in Nigeria as a whole,” Awolowo wrote in his tribute titled: ‘A Rare Breed of Monarch’.