The Olu of Imashayi, Yewa North Local Government Area of Ogun State, Oba Lukman Kuoye, takes DAUD OLATUNJI through his struggles growing up and his journey to the throne
Who is the Olu of Imasayi?
The Olu of Imasayi is Kuoye Luqman Olamilekan. I was born on April 18, 1970 to Prince/Alhaji Rafiu Oladele Kuoye and Princess Suliyat Kuoye of blessed memory.
What schools did you attend?
I was enrolled at UMC Primary School, Eleja, Ado-Odo in 1973. From there, I moved to St. Stephens Commercial High School in September, 1979 and I finished in1984.
What did you do after secondary school?
I did very well the first time I took my (Senior School Certificate Examination) papers, but I didn’t pass mathematics and so I had to retake my papers at Alama Grammar School, Ado-Odo in 1985. The most alarming and unfortunate part was that my results were not released. So, I decided that instead of sitting down at home, doing nothing, I would learn a vocation. I then decided to learn plumbing but one of my brothers, who is now an architect, disagreed and insisted I must not abandon school. He said if it was someone else, he would have given his approval but for me, he would not because I was brilliant and he wanted me to further my education. But then, there was no money, so I had to work as a bus conductor until 1988 when I enrolled at Ado-Odo High School to retake the SSCE and I finally had good grades. Thereafter, between 1988 and 1989, I gained admission into St. Andrews College of Education, Oyo, where I studied Political Science, English. But when I was in my third year, about graduating, things became so hard financially that I had to quit school.
What did you do after dropping out?
I went back to do transport business and fortunately for me, I did well and I was able to raise money to go back to school. So, I went to the Lagos State University to study Social Work Administration at Diploma level. On finishing, I enrolled for my first degree.
I had a lecturer, Prof. Adebowale M.A., who is also from Ado-Odo. Whenever he saw me, he would say, “Kuoye, if you didn’t finish College of Education, please make sure you get your first degree.”
Also, I had two friends then – Prof. Adewole Atere, who now works at the Osun State University; and Dr Kunle Ogundele, who is the Director, Centre for Regional Planning, Lagos State University – who also kept mounting pressure on me that I must continue my education. With their encouragement, I finished my first degree and then proceeded for my master’s. After bagging my master’s, these people still didn’t stop mounting pressure on me to go for PhD. I applied to several universities for my PhD. I was in the middle of my PhD programme when the issue of becoming a monarch came. Presently, I am still studying for PhD at the Lagos State University.
