Sanusi Olusi

Oba Sanusi Olusi (died 1935) was a wealthy trader who succeeded Ibikunle Akitoye as Oba of Lagos from 1928 to 1931 during what some historians refer to as the "Interregnum" years of the exiled Oba Eshugbayi Eleko. Oba Sanusi Olusi was a grandson of Olusi, and great grandson of Oba Ologun Kutere.[1][2] Sanusi Olusi was the first Muslim Oba of Lagos.

Oba Sanusi Olusi
Oba of Lagos
Oba of Lagos
Reign1928-1931
Coronation1928
PredecessorIbikunle Akitoye
SuccessorEshugbayi Eleko
BornSanusi Olusi
Lagos, Nigeria
DiedLagos
Burial
Okesuna Cemetery
ReligionIslam

Career and ascendancy to Oba of Lagos

Sanusi Olusi was a trader residing at 25 Bridge Street in Idumota.[3] He previously contested the Obaship of Lagos in 1925 but lost to then Prince Ibikunle Akitoye. Shortly after his property at Bridge Street was acquired by the British colonial government in Nigeria,[4] he was installed Oba of Lagos upon the death of Oba Ibikunle Akitoye. Sanusi Olusi's property was acquired by the government for the construction of Carter Bridge.[3]

Deposition as Oba of Lagos

Upon the return of the previously deposed and deported Oba Eshugbayi Eleko, Sanusi Olusi was asked to vacate the palace (Iga Idunganran) and was given a £1,000 house along Broad Street by the British colonial government plus an annual allowance of £400 annually. At a later time he was given his own place at Oke-Arin known as Iga Olusi.[3]

Re-contesting the Obaship of Lagos in 1932

Upon Oba Eshugbayi Eleko's death in 1932, Sanusi Olusi contested the Obaship, this time going against Prince Falolu Dosunmu but lost the contest. There was some tension between Sanusi Olusi and Oba Falolu Dosunmu - In 1935, Oba Falolu protested what he perceived as Sanusi Olusi's overbearing behavior: using the royal insignia and acting and dressing as though he were the Oba.[5] In response to Oba Falolu's protest Governor Cameron asked Sanusi Olusi to desist from such behavior.[6]

Death

Sanusi Olusi died in 1935 and was buried at Okesuna cemetery.[3]

References
  1. Musliu Olaiya Anibaba (2003). A Lagosian of the 20th century: an autobiography. Tisons Limited, 2003. p. 25. ISBN 9789783557116. Retrieved 30 July 2017.
  2. 'Diméjì Ajíkòbi. What Does an African 'new Woman' Want?. Ark Publications, 1999. p. 46. ISBN 9789783488694.
  3. Folami, Takiu. A History of Lagos, Nigeria: The Shaping of an African City. Exposition Press, 1982. pp. 58–59. ISBN 9780682497725.
  4. Dele-Cole, Patrick. Modern and Traditional Elites in the Politics of Lagos. Cambridge University Press. pp. 262 note 18. ISBN 9780521204392.
  5. Dele-Cole, Patrick. Modern and Traditional Elites in the Politics of Lagos. Cambridge University Press. pp. 174. ISBN 9780521204392.
  6. Dele-Cole, Patrick. Modern and Traditional Elites in the Politics of Lagos. Cambridge University Press. pp. 275 note 82. ISBN 9780521204392.


This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.