By Suara Sherif
The Nigerian arts and culture sector is in deep mourning following the passing of His Royal Highness, Oba Gbenga Gbadebo Sonuga, the Fadesewa of Simawa, Ogun State. Affectionately known as “Baba Culture” or “Baba Art and Culture,” the revered monarch and pioneering cultural administrator passed away at the age of 82, prompting an outpouring of grief and heartfelt condolences from government institutions, cultural icons, and the artists he mentored.
The Lagos State Government, through the Lagos State Council for Arts and Culture (LSCAC), led the official tributes. In a statement signed by Director/CEO Idowu Olulowo Johnson, the government expressed that the news “strikes at the very heart of our collective identity.” Extending the state’s deepest condolences to the royal family and the people of Ogun State, the LSCAC emphasized that the loss transcends borders. “We mourn not only a revered monarch but a father of culture… whose wisdom and passion brought global recognition to our traditions,” the statement read. The government noted that his legacy will endure in the institutions he built and the heritage he preserved.
The grief is particularly profound among the cultural practitioners whose careers Oba Sonuga shaped. Renowned artist Mufu Onifade, PhD, who announced the passing, reflected on the profound impact the late Oba had on his life. Onifade credited the monarch with bringing him into the culture sector in 1985 and facilitating his first international trip to the USA in 1986 for the performance of ORI.
In a cascade of emotional tributes across social media, the arts community mourned the loss of a “great mentor” and “true custodian of culture.” Commenter Akile Oluwo Tade lamented, “My big mentor, director, adviser has gone to rest with his creator,” while Olusegun Kayode Ajayi noted, “He was a culture icon and when he became an Oba, he fitted into the picture perfectly.”
Condolences were also extended to his immediate family, with specific prayers offered for his wife, Olori Peju Sonuga, his children, and the Simawa community he ruled for decades.
Mourners are remembering Oba Sonuga not just for his royal stool, but for his transformative 10-year tenure as Director of the Lagos State Council for Arts and Culture (1984–1994). He is celebrated for restructuring the council into specialized departments and elevating artistic expression.
As the traditional Yoruba farewell “Sun re, ile ree, orun dede dede” (Rest in peace, the heavens are peaceful) echoes across the cultural landscape, it is clear that while Oba Sonuga has joined his ancestors, the golden era he created for Nigerian arts remains brightly lit.
