On Saturday August 6, 2016, the publisher of Oriwu Sun, Alhaji (Chief) Monzor will diffuse the mystery surrounding a chieftaincy title given to him twenty five (25) years ago by the late Ayangbure of Ikorodu, Oba S.A. Oyefusi, which he (Monzor) did not officially celebrate.
The late Kabiyesi Oyefusi had in 1991 given Monzor Olowosago a distinguished chieftaincy title, Bobaroyin of Ikorodu in recognition of his achievements and contributions to Ikorodu development.
The recognition came in the sixth year of the publication of Oriwu Sun Newspaper which had steadily enjoyed a rising profile as the voice of Ikorodu people.
Ironically, the recognition came after years of near acrimonious relationship between the Kabiyesi and Monzor. The late Oba, at the onset of Oriwu Sun allegedly suspected that Monzor established that paper to attack his regime. The monarch was almost seeing Oriwu Sun as opposition to his reign. But when he realized that Monzor was doing his work professionally and being as objective as possible, the kabiyesi dropped his initial suspicionand antagonistic posture and embraced his son, Monzor, who became a close ally of the king until his death.
But what could have prevented the newspaper publisher from celebrating this chieftaincy title, Baroyin (which means the King’s news carrier or reporter). By all standards, Monzor is regarded as a wealthy journalist who had celebrated biggest events including the chieftaincy title given to him by the Oba of Imota, Oba Ajibade Agoro, after the one given to him in his home town, Ikorodu.
Some observers had wondered how Monzor who celebrated the 5th anniversary of his paper Oriwu Sun in 1990 with a sumptuous party at Sheraton Hotel, Ikeja, could not host friends and relations the following year (1991) after getting the chieftaincy title from Oba Oyefusi.
Even when Monzor celebrated the 20th anniversary of Oriwu Sun at the same Sheraton Hotel and his 50th birthday and later his 60th birthday in Ikorodu Musical Village, people concluded that he deliberately did not want to perform the Iwuye of the Baroyin title for reasons best known to him, not necessarily because he did not value the title he never lobbied for or its giver but he must have a hidden explanation.
Now, the mystery surrounding this recognition is being unveiled. At last, he was chosen to perform the iwuye ceremony under a new king, Oba Kabiru Shotobi. He has also chosen to do it modestly even when he has the financial muscle to make it a loud party if he chooses especially after splashing millions of naira to celebrate the 31st anniversary of Oriwu Sun on June 5, 2016.
This story symbolizes Monzor’s relationship with many people especially those in the corridors of power. In the pursuit of stories and adverts, Monzor has stepped on many toes, even more toes after publishing some stories which some people found unfavorable to them, people have openly quarreled with him, threatened him, castigated and blackmailed him for doing his job. But at the end of the day, both Monzor and these offended ones have always had a way of striking a balance, having a meeting point and reconciling differences, thus, proving that there are no permanent enemies but permanent interests in life.