How I ended up traveling abroad due to death threat from childbirth – Prince Odenike

By KEMI KASUMU

“One big incident happened. I was sick, my mummy went out and got drugs for me. Before she came back. Those who became my enemies planned to bury me before my mummy came back.”

Another human angle and very pathetic story has come to the desk if The DEFENDER revealing a sad story of an Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria Prince by name, Adedamola Adeniran Odenike.

This globalised multi-lingual newspaper came across Adedamola Odenike on a occasion, this reporter is not permitted to disclose but surely, the agelong experience of the Nigerian will touch the reader’s heart.

At a time nigeria’s Western part especially Lagos and Ogun states axis has been left to the mercy of hoodlums and thugs with little or nothing the constitutionally recognised security agencies can do, citizens fearing for lives are left with no bether option than running abroad, which explains the situation of Adedamola Adeniran Odenike, who had to run for dear life into safety abroad.

Giving his stage-by-stage account to The DEFENDER, he Prince Adedamola Adeniran Odenike narrated his sad story: “My name is Adedamola Adeniran Odenike, I was born in Nigeria. I’m from Abeokuta North Local Government, from the Odenikes compound. I grew up in Ake, Abeokuta South Local Government. I am the son of Kareem Odenike and Mrs. Moriliat Abolade Odenike. My father was entitled to become the next king before he died.

“Before he died, something happened. When my mummy was pregnant. King Adedamola Adeniran promised my father. He said if my mummy delivers a boy, he has a special gift for the son. When I was born, King Adedamola Adeniran said on the naming ceremony that hewould be the one to name the new baby in the palace.

“On the naming ceremony day at the palace, he named me with all his names on October 28,1974. People at the occasion started asking if it would be easy for them to call the king’s name because l bear the king’s names. For them to send me messages. They started planning to kill me from when I was a baby.

“One big incident happened. I was sick, my mummy went out and got drugs for me. Before she came back. Those who became my enemies planned to bury me before my mummy came back. Luckily for me, my mummy had someone she trained called Monilola. She was the one who rescued my life from death. That was how I have been facing the battle till now. Because of the tyrant.

“One day I met someone; the person said if I wanted peace of mind. I should travel abroad. Along the line, I got married. My wife’s name is Omotola Odenike. God gave us two beautiful girls, Esther and Favor. When I got a Canada visa, I told her, she said I should travel because she didn’t want to lose me. When l entered Canada, I cried every day. Because it was tough for me.

“I didn’t know anything about refugees before. Until I read it in an online news article. I decided to declare myself as a refugee,” Adedamola Adeniran Odenike narrated.

About his kingdom

Back then, the king of his kingdom, Oba David Sokunbi Karunwi Il, was crowned on April 4, 1904, on an Easter Monday, by
Bishop Oluwole. He was described as the first educated Christian Oba in Egbaland. Oba Karunwi II joined his ancestors in June 1918. Then Oba Suberu Adedamola I came on the throne in 1918 and reigned until 1932.

Followed by Oba Adedotun Yesufu, 1933-1934, Oba Alimi Adeniran Adedamola Il, who was installed in 1951 and reigned until 1988 when he joined his ancestors, Oba Dr. Adedapo Adewale Tejuoso Karunwi lI, Oranmiyan, was installed on 20th May, 1989 as the Osile and still reigns to date.

Oke-Ona Egba is one of the four strong pillars (sections) that founded and settled in Abeokuta in 1830. The four pillars are: Egba Alake section (under the Oba Alake), Oke-Ona Egba Section (under Oba Osile), Gbagura Section (under the Oba Agura), and Owu Section (under Oba Olowu).

The important towns that followed Sodeke to settle in Abeokuta on the 5th of August, 1830 as listed by A.K. Ajisafe were Ake, Oke (Oke-Ona), Iporo, Kemta, Kesi, Ikereku, ldomapa, ldo Orun, Igbein, Igbore, Itoku and others.

Oke-Ona Egba as existing in Egbaland and Abeokuta today consists of the following townships among others in order of seniority: Ago Oko, Ikija, llugun, Ikereku, llawo.

Details itemised below:

1. PERSONAL NARRATIVE OF PRINCE ADEDAMOLA ADENIRAN ODENIKE

2. My name is Adedamola Adeniran Odenike, I was born in Nigeria.

3. I’m from Abeokuta North Local Government, from the Odenikes compound.

4. l grew up in Ake, Abeokuta South Local Government.

5. I am the son of Kareem Odenike and Mrs. Moriliat Abolade Odenike.

6. My father was entitled to become the next king before he died.

7. Before he died, something happened.

8. When my mummy was pregnant.

9. King Adedamola Adeniran promised my father.

10. He said if my mummy delivers a boy, he has a special gift for the son.

11. When I was born, King Adedamola Adeniran said on the naming ceremony that he would be the one to name the new baby in the palace.

12. On the naming ceremony day at the palace, he named me with all his names on October 28,1974

13. People at the occasion started asking if it would be easy for them to call the king’s name becausel bear the king’s names.

14. For them to send me messages.

15. They started planning to kill me from when I was a baby.

16. One big incident happened.

17. I was sick, my mummy went out and got drugs for me.

18. Before she came back.

19. Those who became my enemies planned to bury me before my mummy
came back.

20. Luckily for me, my mummy had someone she trained called Monilola.

21. She was the one who rescued my life from death.

22. That was howI have been facing the battle till now.

23. Because of the tyrant.

24. One day I met someone; the person said if I wanted peace of mind.

25. I should travel abroad.

26. Along the line, I got married.

27. My wife’s name is Omotola Odenike.

28. God gave us two beautiful girls, Esther and Favor.

29. When I got a Canada visa, I told her, she said I should travel because she didn’t want to lose me.

30. When l entered Canada, I cried every day.

31. Because it was tough for me.

32. I didn’t know anything about refugees before.

33. Until I read it in an online news article.

34. I decided to declare myself as a refugee.

35. In yoruba land generally we believe in traditional

36. We used ritual to finish people

37. In our family, they worship idols, those are the power our forefathers used

38. That was what happened that time they planned to kill me and bury me

39. There is no way you can escape as far as you’re still in any part of Nigeria because they are very powerful.

40. About his kingdom back then

41. The King of his kingdom Oba David Sokunbi Karunwi ll was the first Oba was crowned on April 4, 1904 on Easter Monday by Bishop olawole, he joined his ancestors in June 1918

42. Then Oba Suberu Adedamola came on throne in 1918 and reigned utill 1932

43. Followed by oba Adedotun Yesufu 1933 to 1934

44. Oba Alimi Adeniran Adedamola ll who was installed in 1951 and end reigned until 1988 he was the one who named me after his name.

45. This is the story of my life necessitating to why I had to travel outside Migeria for the safety of my life and personal security.