It is a gift from God. I didn’t expect it but it was given from heaven. I didn’t expect it myself. I had never thought of making 102 years.
Probably, there is something special about you to warrant that mercy and grace from heaven. What do you think?
Well, I can’t say anything concerning that. All what I know is that God gives long life to people. It is the making of God and not man.
You are one of the pioneer industrialists in Nigeria?
Yes. As far as industry is concerned, I’m one of the pioneers in Nigeria and all that I have achieved in the venture, I considered them also as gifts of God. I’m also the first producer of tyre (Odutola tyre) in Africa and it is still functional till date. I was the first person to discover and mine gold in Nigeria. Also I ventured into plastic and Foam manufacturing and merchandise. When they say one is a merchant then, it means you could load a whole Vessle. I was a merchant and there was a time when ship couldn’t enter this country without my goods in it. No matter the port in Nigeria, it must have my goods in it.
At the time you ventured into business you were young and without basic education. How did you acquire your business acumen?
To many people, any person who can’t speak English Language is illiterate. I don’t believe that . How could you say one is illiterate, when he is married, built a house, manages himself and his family and you say such a person is not literate.
Education came to Ijebu-Ode in 1907 but I was born in 1905. However small I was then, education met me.
As for business acumen, heaven gives all the nations of the earth industrialists. They are gifts of heaven to various nations and they emerge in every dispensation in the life of a nation. Unfortunately in Nigeria, the country does not know whether somebody has acquired any special attributes or God has deposited any special gift in him. The country doesn’t know.
Is it proper that Nigeria does not accord special attention to her talented and gifted citizens?
It is not good at all. It is not good for the country. In Europe, the business people, industrialists, the merchants and entrepreneurs are accorded recognition. There are designated roads for them because European countries understand that heaven brings such people for them. They are special gifts from God and they are cherished. They build special roads for them and nobody makes use of such roads except these business people. It is for them alone because they feed the country. The engines of growth and development of any country rest on the industrialists. Here in Nigeria, business people and industrialists are not accorded due recognition. The government believes it can feed the citizens, do everything for them. It is impossible.
What can be done to correct this lack of attention for industrialists?
Well, I don’t know whether there are genuine business people and industrialists in Nigeria today. It is a different thing now when somebody says he is a businessman or an industrialist. The whole thing is spoilt.
You have not given your advice on the matter.
If anybody wants to achieve better things in life, he must be honest. Honest and very honest. And it is dangerous to give advice in this country. We don’t believe in advice on honesty. I can say it and repeat it several times. We don’t believe in honesty anymore. I started a business of my own in 1921 at the age of 16. It is increasingly difficult to get honest people around. It is getting worse and worse. I started first as an apprentice for Alh. Abdul-Kareem Otupa before he died. I was eleven years old then, serving him as a houseboy in Ijebu-Ode. I was a textile dealer in this country. I have left it because it is an all-comers affairs now. Go to Lagos today, it is sold in every space. The first and second generation of women textile dealers in Lagos, I introduced them into the business. Today I have left it for the boys and girls.
What is your candid advice for Nigerians, especially the young ones in the areas of personal business?
If one is honest, he has everything. Looking for quick money is a sure way of ensuring that money eludes you. You may not have it. If you look for it quick and it comes quick, it will go quick too.
Life challenges must have taught you one or two lessons. Can you share any?
I’m 102 years plus. I will be 103 years by early next year. The Oyinbo you are speaking now started in my presence. It was not there when I was born. About challenges of life, it is a long scope, I don’t think I can state that here unless one see the biography issued when I was 100 years old. Where is the time and energy for that now? I said earlier that I’m 102 years plus. Where can you find somebody of 102 years plus who will speak with you as I’m speaking to you now? Where can you get it ? It is very very rare.
Why the rarity?
I can’t give an answer to that than to say heaven gives it.
Lets talk about women. How about your wife?
I started to marry when I was 27. No! It was when I was 24 years old and not 27. And I had my first child in 1927 though late now. The second one came in 1930. I married about 16 wives. I will marry one, something will cause problem and she will go away. I will marry another one and that one will also go. That is how I came to marry many wives at different times. I can remember and mention marrying 16 wives.
How come none stayed with you till old age?
That is what one wants or what one doesn’t want. If two of you can’t agree or you always disagree, nothing will end the constant disagreement except for the two persons to separate. The last one left in 2002 and I don’t need a wife anymore.
Why?
…(Laughter) For what purpose? To have children for me or what?
May be to keep you company.
No woman will keep a man of 102 company.
Could you explain?
That is my experience but people should marry anyway to have children but to me both wife and children are enemies...
Why do you think like that Daddy?
That is the experience I have gathered too.
That wives and children are enemies?
Yes, they are enemies.
Enemies of who?
They are enemies to the man. Not me alone but to every other man, to every father. If there is any difference, it can only be a gift from heaven.
You believe so much in heaven and talk about it as influencing everything.
Yes. Heaven is Allah and Allah is heaven. Also, the name Olorun, Orisha and whatever name he is called in other culture means Allah. I’m a Muslim. I should mention Allah.
What will you like to be remembered for?
As old as I’m, I’m looking forward to the welfare of my parents. I don’t forget them. I’m always thinking about them. They are late but for me, I want to ensure that their names remain prominent in the land.
What are you doing in that direction?
I’m taking care of what I know of their properties. I don’t want any of their properties spoilt or ruined.
Would you not wish your children do same for you?
Well, that is left for God. I might like it that my parents’ name remain indelible but others may not like their parents’ name to become immortal. They may not be thinking about it all.
You are always cheerful and look strong. What is the secret?
It is because I have not offended anybody. I don’t think of evil against anybody. If I have done something which you consider is wrong and you asked me why I have done that, I will explain to you. I don’t entertain fear or worry because I have offended nobody. I don’t cheat. I wont cheat anybody and I will not allow anybody to cheat me. I started going to the Court in Nigeria in 1930. How many Lawyers did we have in the country in 1930? They were just few. People wanted to cheat me but I refused and took them to court. I don’t like cheating that is why I have become a friend of the court. Up till now, as old as I’m, I still have about four or five cases pending in the Court, particularly on matters relating to my family. I have won a complex Court case in London. Today, Lawyers cite that case when making argument on related matters. I was attending that court case in London from Nigeria twice a month before judgment was delivered in my favour at an Appellate Court.
With all your achievements how come you have not been bestowed with any chieftaincy title even in Ijebuland?
Me, chieftaincy title? I don’t like it. I just don’t like it.
Why? Others go for it.
That is their choice. In my case, I don’t like it. You can’t blame anybody who likes chieftaincy title. It is of his or her choice but left for me, I don’t want it.
Even if an Oba confers one on you?
Nobody will try it. I won’t accept any chieftaincy title from any Oba. The Oni of Ife, Oba Adesoji Aderemi, tried it repeatedly. I refused. Everybody tried it I refused. I don’t want.
How about the paramount ruler of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona?
How could Oba Adetona confer chieftaincy title on me? How can I be a chief to him? How could I come and become a chief to my children. When I refused being a chief to the elders before them? How could I be? I don’t like it. I respect them as Obas and I perform all homage to them which I know people of my generation do for Obas but to become a chief or Otunba, NO. I can’t be a chief for my children. If I were even an Otunba or chief before they became Obas, I would resign from such chieftaincy title. Late Oba Adesoji Aderemi for example, was my senior in age. That did not make me to accept a chieftaincy title from him. I was in Ife then.
