My Childhood Ambition Was to be a Medical Doctor

How has life treated you in the last 70 years?

God has been very partial to me. I had a very smooth life until I lost my job with the Nigerian Air Force. I felt very disappointed not knowing God had another plan for me. I travelled to the United States of America where everything started falling in place and I bounced back. It has been a fantastic experience turning 70.

Where were you born?

I was born on March 6, 1947 in Ajaja/Egbebi Compound at No. 5. Lemomu Lane on Lagos Island. We grew up in a good communal setting. My grandfather, Jameson Akindele Sule, popularly known as ‘Sule Alapoti’ was a Christian. He was one of the builders of the African Cathedral Bethel on Broad Street. He was a carpenter and one of the first persons to make coffins in Lagos. I learnt he was a very wealthy man. He owned the land where the old Ministry of Defence was built in Lagos. He is a popular name at Ikoyi Cemetery. Ask the attendant, they will direct you to the Sule Alapoti Tomb.

What were your parents engaged in at the time you were born?

My father, Samuel Babatunde Sule worked at Mobil Oil while my mother was a big time trader supplying products to Kingsway Stores and PZ. We had a privileged beginning. We never lacked anything. Having a relatively comfortable parents placed a burden of expectation on us and put us on our toes to be the best at all times. I had an ambition to study medicine and wasn’t able to achieve it. I had deficiency in Physics and Mathematics. When I eventually went to University of Howard in Washington DC, to my surprise, the system of teaching in the United States was different. Mathematics was made easy. I was surprised that I came first in my graduating year.

How would you describe your first day at school?

I began my early education at St. Paul’s Breadfruit, Lagos. I proceeded to Ibadan Grammar School where the late enigma and very popular educationist, Pa Emmanuel Alayande was the principal. Apart from being groomed under the tutelage of a disciplinarian like Alayande, I also enjoyed scholarship from Mobil Oil. I left Ibadan Grammar School in 1966, worked briefly with the National Bank Lewis Street branch before travelling to America in 1969. I enrolled at Howard University for a degree in Financial Management and Accounting and capped with master’s degree in Business Education in 1977.

Did you stay back after your degrees?

There was a programme by the Nigerian government under the ex-president and then head of state, Gen. Olusegun Obasanjo. He came to the United States to recruit Nigerian graduate students and I happened to be among the chosen to work with the Nigerian Air Force. I came back to Lagos and worked at the Nigerian Air Force Ikeja Barracks. After some couple of years I was transferred to Kaduna, where I spent six years working with Ground Training Group (GTG). I was transferred back to Lagos before I was unjustly disengaged after 12 years of service.

Having lost your job what went through your mind?

I was disappointed in the system. I just picked my certificates and moved back to the United States in 2000. I had an advantage having schooled there. I was very conversant with the culture. I immersed myself into what the country had to offer. I joined the Department of Juvenile Justice in New York City where I spent another 12 years and retired. I am back to my country because regardless of limitations, home is home.

If you had to raise you satisfaction with your life so far, what would you score yourself?

I will rate myself nine over 10. I wish I have enough to go round. I never thought of going into politics but as it is now I am still energetic. If I have the opportunity, people will see a different humanitarian.

For how long have you been married?

I have been married to my lovely and supportive wife, Temilola Sule who I met through my younger sister, Mrs. Oluwayemisi Wilkey since 1979. My path crossed with hers when I came back from the United States and she visited my sister. I was attracted to her and started dating her and we later got married. We are blessed with three children. They are university graduates with flourishing careers.