“He died Saturday evening in UK where he was flown to since July 17, this month, after a brief illness. He joined his ancestors in the presence of his Olori, Abosede, who accompanied him on the medical trip,” a family member Sagamu said ‎on Sunday.

The traditional ruler died at the age of 90 in London‎ after a brief illness.

The‎ late monarch ascended the throne on July 14, 1990,and was reported to have died in the presence of his wife, Abosede.

“He died Saturday evening in UK where he was flown to since July 17, this month, after a brief illness. He joined his ancestors in the presence of his Olori, Abosede, who accompanied him on the medical trip,” a family member in Sagamu said ‎on Sunday.

The deceased royal father was a reputed philanthropist and a former chairman of Ogun State Council of traditional rulers. He was also a patron of many clubs and societies both in Sagamu and Lagos.

The family sources said his demise has been communicated to the Ogun State Government while formal announcement would be made later after proper traditional rites must have been carried out.

“He is a great philanthropist; he donated 30-bed ward to the Ogun State Teaching Hospital, Sagamu at a point in time. I can vividly remember that,” a Sagamu high chief said.

Mr. Sonariwo, who was born in Ita Eleye in Lagos State in 1936, attended St. John School, Aroloya, Lagos from 1941 to 1949 before he proceeded to Methodist Boys High School from 1950 till 1955.

He became an orphan at six and had dreamt of working with the Central Bank of Nigeria to become the governor “so that I would sign my name on the naira notes.”

He later travelled abroad for further studies and series of training in tax and accounting profession, and worked with the Inland Revenue Service.