90-year-old prince: Old age has stopped me from having girlfriends

Mr. Michael Akinola

A Prince of Ilawe Ekiti, Ekiti State, Mr. Michael Akinola, 90, in this interview with AKINWALE ABOLUWADE, talks about his triumphs and struggles.

Tell us about your childhood?
I was born into the family of Oba Adefolalu Akinola, who reigned between 1929 and 1967. We are of the royal family in Ilawe Ekiti. My mother is Osunmadewe. I was born on November 2, 1923, six years before my father was crowned king in Ilawe Ekiti. I was born a twin. My twin brother died long ago when we were 15 years old. He was sick. I said earlier that I was born six years before my father was crowned king, so I witnessed the transition from low-life as a child of a poor prince to son of a ruling king in my community. It was a great heritage bestowed on me. Though my parents were not rich, royalty earned me a lot of respect as a prince. Everybody respected me and other princes and princesses in the palace. We were a point of attraction because royalty towers riches. All our peers and even the older ones respected us and loved to play with us.

What about your school days?
Unfortunately, I never saw the four walls of a school. I was not registered in school nor given the opportunity to have formal training as a child. My father was unable to send us to school for formal education. We didn't have the opportunity of receiving western education. Instead, we were exposed to farming. As a child, I was always going to the farm with other kids. We worked for my father, the king, on his farmland.

Since you did not go to school, what trade did you learn?
My father wanted me to continue to farm for him. I would have loved to go to school but there was no opportunity for such. I used to envy other children whenever I saw them going or coming from school. It is a painful thing that I did not have the opportunity. I later decided to learn a trade but I was not given the opportunity. At age 20, I ran away from home to Ilesha. I lived there with an Ilawe man. I was an apprentice to a bicycle repairer. I learnt the trade for four years and my master bought me tools to start my business.

Why did you choose that trade?        
I decided to do that work to liberate myself from my father. I said earlier that I would have loved to go to school but I had no such opportunity.  I love bicycle riding so I decided to be a bicycle repair. I knew that I would be happy to work on bicycles.
How many wives did your father have?      
I knew about 22 wives. I cannot specifically state the number of children my father had. He had so many children. It affected the choices available to us as children.  My father could not afford sending us to school.

As a child, what differentiated you from other children in the palace?      
As I said earlier, I am a twin. My mother did all the usual rites for twins, like making special dishes and feast for my age grade. My twin brother died long time ago and it was tragic for me because we were close. We were identical twins; both male.  We were always together, wearing uniform dresses and we were respected as princes. We were inseparable. We used to play in the evenings after the day’s work when we returned from farm. We had more time to play on Sunday after church. We usually went to farm for hunting and fishing. That was our major means of recreation. The death of my twin brother dealt a terrible blow on me. I was sad and lonely. He was a good friend and companion. We were both working for my father on his farm. We used to work on yam, cocoa and plantain plantations.

How many children did your mother have?
I am the last child of my mother. Four of us remain after the death of my twin brother. I had two sisters and a brother. My first sister, Denuola sold palm oil. The second, Popoola, was a food vendor and the first child, Fatoba, was a farmer. We all loved one another, including my half brothers and sisters. We grew up in the palace and my mother, being the first wife, was the mother of the royal house. We all lived together in love and harmony.

While growing up, did you enjoy any special treatment from people as a prince?   
Yes, I did and still do. What distinguished us from others was the crown. We were respected and feared by everybody because the tradition is that the king owns the land and he is the judge over his subjects. The king was revered.  A long time ago, I was playing with a friend called Michael. He hurt me and I abused his father. He cursed my father too and ran away. I reported him to my father and his entire household came begging. They were all weeping and jittery. They were afraid of the wrath of the king. But the king pardoned them and asked them to go in peace. You can imagine the respect accorded to kings at the time.

After serving as an apprentice, where did you establish your trade?
I worked as a section man at Ikere Local Government Council Secretariat of the old Ondo State. I did not even practice the trade that I learnt in Ilesha. I worked in the council’s Works Department. I started as a labourer clearing the roadside. We were patching the road then. At a point I was made a supervisor. I rose through the ranks and became road supervisor before retiring many years later. I went through several training's and I learnt how to read and write through personal efforts. I only read the Holy Bible now. I went for training at the training school, Ministry of Works, Akure. The school was for all local government employees.  I was employed in 1959. Five years after, I became a section man and I worked as road supervisor for 15 years.

How long did you work with at the council?         
I worked for 29 years. I worked both in Ikere and Ekiti Southwest. Throughout my working years, I worked in the two council areas.

At what age did you get married?
I was 30 years old when I got married. I married only one wife because I detest polygamy. I do  not  like  the  idea  at  all. I even have no means to cater for many wives and children like my father. Our marriage is blessed with six children.

How did you meet your wife?
I saw my wife when I was at a bar drinking with my friends. There used to be a drinking joint opposite her house then. I saw her coming out of her house and she appealed to me. She didn't accede to my overtures for a long time. We eventually became friends and got married. We have been married for 59 years.

How many of your children went to school?
All of them went through school. I had no formal education and good certificates but I was determined that all my children must go to school. To God be the glory, they all went to school. I struggled in life because of my children. I know the value of education.  When I was working, I used to prostrate to my boss who was one of my children’s age mate because of his education.  It was a nightmare which I would not want my children to go through in life. I virtually sponsored the education of all the children of my siblings. I love education. But two of my children died.

What is your favorite meal?
I love pounded yam with vegetable soup. I like drinking any kind of alcoholic drink. But, as I get older, I prefer stout and wine. But I don’t like sweet wine.

Who among your father’s children became a king?
None of them was a king. Before my father, his great grandfather, Afinbiokin Ademileka and his own father, Akinola Adefolalu reigned as king. His brother, Adeyemi Ademileka, also became king. But none of us has ascended the throne.  We have only one ruling house in Ilawe. Presently, I am the eldest in the royal family.

How do you take care of yourself whenever you are sick?
I take local medication but my children always insist that I should go to the hospital. The frequent ailment I experience is malaria. When I fell sick so many years ago, I spent 20 days on the sick bed. I thought that was the end but at the end of the day, I survived it.

What is the secret of your long life?        
God almighty is the secret of long life. Indeed, no one knows what determines long life. I relate well to fellow humans. I try to be careful and not put a stake in dangerous ventures, I am satisfied with the little I have.

Do you womanise?
I had women friends before and after I got married. I like to enjoy myself. But I have stopped keeping women friends now because I am no longer a young man.

Who are your closest friends?
My best friend is Michael Ijatuyi. Others are some farmers from Ikere; Ojose and Ezekiel Olowo. Ijatuyi is still alive but I have not heard from the two other friends in a long while. Apart from Ijatuyi, the closest person to me is my wife, Elizabeth. She is a trader.

Were you ever involved in politics?
No, I was not and I do not intend to.
What is the difference between your time and now?
Life was more peaceful then and things were not as complex as they are nowadays. We were not also materialistic. At that time, peer groups worked and played together. We were not so civilised then.

What is your advice to the young ones?                
I always advise them to do good always and hold integrity even as they fear God. I also advise them not to shirk in their responsibilities to others.
What was responsible for your children’s death?
They died after falling sick. It was quite a sad experience for us. There were various life-threatening diseases contending with children at that time as a result of poor medication. Also, there was a belief that evil people also bewitched children thus resulting in their death. Hospitals were very scarce at that time and were poorly equipped.

What job would you have loved to do if you were educated?
I would have loved to do a white collar job in a local government council.
Can you recall your happiest moment?
My happiest moment was when my children graduated from school and started working. I felt so fulfilled. They are the ones taking care of us now.

Can you recall a sad moment in your life?       
It was when I was an apprentice. There was a day I was hungry and I had no food to eat. I was looking for money to buy food. My boss was aware but he did not even bother to give me money to buy food.  It was really challenging and painful.

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