Ogunsanya's Powerful Judgment by Emeka Obasi

Ogunsanya’s life reflects a blend of courage, determination and fairness. Hailing from the South‑West, he has found love across the Niger, served in Benin Kingdom and remains closely tied to Lagos, where scrutiny is relentless.

Speaking with him is a journey through politics, nationalism, football and more. He recalls the 1983 Flying Eagles, Stationery Stores’ World Cup run and other moments. His university years were spent at the University of Ibadan, where he represented Sultan Bello Hall.

“I deal with people based on their personal character,” Ogunsanya said. “Tribalism, ethnicity, corruption and most vices are symptoms of an ill‑educated society. It is good to leave your environment and understand other people’s way of life. It is part of education.”

He is a true Eko Boy, familiar with the backstreets of Mushin as well as the middle‑class neighbourhood of Surulere. Running errands between Costain and Ebute Metta as a city boy paved the way for his later life in Ikoyi.

“Born in Ebute Metta, I moved to Surulere after the Civil War. I lived in Chief Obafemi Awolowo’s house on Park Lane before owning a house at Apapa GRA, then crossed over to Ikoyi, my present abode.”

He is married to an Igbo woman and has friends across Nigeria. “I have not been to only two states, Adamawa and Taraba. I have sat with and been welcomed by Emirs in their palace. The present Sultan of Sokoto is a friend of mine,” Ogunsanya said.

His wife comes from the Asinobi Royal Family of Obazu Mbieri in Imo State, a lineage that includes the prominent Abaecheta family. Chief Isaac Abaecheta was an early Port Harcourt big boy, and his daughter, Dr. Chinenyenwa, a paediatrician, married Chief T(heopilus) O. S. Benson, a First Republic minister.

Ogunsanya’s legal career began in Port Harcourt, where Chief Michael Asinobi led the Igbo State Union. He met his wife during National Service in Benin City and later discovered that she had also spent her early years in Ebute Metta.

“We have been married for 33 years although we met forty years ago in Benin City when I went for an official meeting. I learned that her family moved to Kano Street, Ebute Metta, after the Civil War. I probably passed through her house on my way to St. Paul’s Primary School, Ebute Metta. That was my route.”

St. Paul’s has produced football stars such as Ade Coker, Godwin Odiye, Nat Ogedegbe, Stephen Keshi, Paul Okoku and Deinde Akinlotan. Ogunsanya did not join them to play football, though he made some moves as a student at the University of Ibadan.

In his words, “Deinde and I started primary school the same day. He was friendly and mischievous, and he loved to dribble, especially using his left foot between opponents’ legs. Okoku did not start with us in Primary One; he probably joined after the Civil War.”

“Talented footballers, but I haven’t seen them since 1973 when we left St. Paul’s. We started from Denton, Ebute Metta and ended up at Costain. Deinde and I shared a desk in primary school.”

Like his Obazu Mbieri relatives, Ogunsanya once lived in the Garden City, but today he sees little beauty in Nigeria. He laments that instead of growing like giants, the country has been dwarfed by corruption and a deficit in leadership and followership.

“Like I always say, give Nigeria five trillion dollars and it will be useless. Either everyone gets their own cut of the money or it’s wasted. Setting up and maintaining good institutions requires a good system of education that is home‑grown, with a global outlook.”

Ogunsanya is not in need of assistance and has lived well all his life. Nonetheless, the country makes him sad. “I’m planning to move somewhere in the next few years for full retirement, so I don’t have to read or hear about Nigeria most of the time. I will still come back to Nigeria, probably two months a year – not America and not Britain,” he said.

He credits God for his achievements, especially in his thirty‑three years of self‑employment. A real time investor, he smiles when he hears about Stationery Stores Football Club.

“I used to go and watch some of their matches in the 1970s at the UAC Stadium, Surulere. Sometimes I joined the players at their Guest House on Ogunlana Drive/Itire Road on match day courtesy of Haruna Ilerika, a friend of my uncle’s.”

“I even took my son to watch Stores at Onikan Stadium during the years when Babatunde Fashola was governor. Up Super Stores International.”

On the World Cup, Ogunsanya said, “Eagles missing in action is a wake‑up call. With 15 Nigerians playing for other countries, it tells us there are talents in every country and corner of the world. You’re most responsible for your situation.”

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