Oba Olugbenga Sonuga of Simawa joins his ancestors
By Editor
THE Simawa royal family and Simawa traditional council have announced the passing to glory of their revered king, His Royal Highness, Oba (Dr.) Olugbenga Gbadebo Sonuga, Ogbodo 1, Fadesewa and King of Simawa Kingdom in Sagamu Local Government Area of Ogun State. Kabiyesi joined his ancestors in the early hours of Sunday, November 1, 2026 aged 81 years after a brief illness. He reigned for 20 glorious years (2006 – 2026).
Oba Sonuga ascended the throne of his forefathers in 2006, and his 20-year reign witnessed the rapid transformation of Simawa from a quiet agrarian suburb of Sagamu into a massively growing, estate-dominated mega-community. Simawa under his leadership became nationally prominent as host to the biggest human construction in the world, the 3km by 3km Auditorium of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), and bringing global attention and unprecedented development to the kingdom.
He was a highly respected, peace-loving, accessible and visionary monarch who maintained excellent relationship with all Remo traditional rulers under the leadership of the Akarigbo of Remoland.
Oba Sonuga was not just a king, he was an institution in Nigeria’s arts and culture sector, and was fondly called ‘Oba Art & Culture’ or ‘Baba Culture’ across the country. Before answering the call of his people to the throne, he had a distinguished career.
he trained under Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka whom he fondly called ‘Mon Prof’, worked for a decade under the legendary artist and architect, Chief Demas Nwoko, at the New Culture Studios, Ibadan, and ran a successful film company, 4Reels. He also served meritoriously as Director, Lagos State Council for Arts and Culture (1984 – 1994), where he restructured the council into departments of Design, Performing Arts, Architecture and Monuments, Festivals etc. His golden era is still unmatched, and won the overall first prize for Lagos State at NAFEST 1994.
Oba Sonuga also produced the famous touring performance of the stage play ‘Ori’ to the United States in 1986 and wrote and produced ‘SALT’ for the UN World Decade for Cultural Development at the National Theatre in 1989.
After public service, he founded the International Centre for the Arts, Lagos (ICAL) and wrote the photo-autobiography Deep As The Ocean: An Auto-Photo-Biography in Three Cycles that was launched at Freedom Park, Lagos on his 70th birthday; it chronicles over 70 years of heritage photography and culture.
Oba Sonuga retired as a Director of Arts and Culture, Lagos State, before ascending the throne.
According to Olootu Omooba Olumuyiwa Sonuga and Olootu Omooba of Simawa Kingdom, who signed on behalf of Simawa Royal Family and Simawa Traditional Council, no programe has been drawn up yet for his burial rites, however, adding, “The Simawa Traditional Council, in conjunction with the Royal Family and the Ogun State Government, will announce the burial rites and time for official condolence very soon. We appeal to all sons and daughters of Simawa at home and in diaspora, friends, associates and the general public to remember the Royal Family and the entire Simawa Kingdom in prayers at this moment.
“May the soul of our dearly beloved Kabiyesi rest in perfect peace. His legacies of culture, peace and development will forever endure.”
