Opinion article by Duke of Shomolu, Joseph Edgar
Niran made me practice how to ‘dobale’ a good 30 minutes before we were summoned in to see the Baba.
He is not a stranger to me. I had met with him much earlier as a young stockbroker when I approached him to assist in collecting pledges for his huge school.
Baba was in a green Chairman Mao suit with a cap. He looked strangely like Fela Durotoye and certainly didn’t look his 93 years of age.
I am not a fool. He kept saying. He said it over 12 times in the 15 minutes we were in his presence.
It was clear to me that my write-up had more than hit him. I went flat on the ground, enjoying my stay there, and really not in the mood to stand up.
Niran on his knees with the beautiful Shade, his in-law, also on her knees. From my vantage position on the floor, I could see her beauty. She was light skinned and tall.
She begged very profusely. I think she must have felt, I was about to face the firing squad, the ones that killed Dimka. I pitied her.
All of a sudden, I heard Baba in a loud voice, and in Yoruba say, where is he? Let me see his face.
Oh my God, I loved the floor. The long ride from Lagos had taken a toll on me and I just wanted to lay there thinking of the Yoruba chief outside who was thinking of which animal to turn me into for daring to ask if he was Ogboni.
I stood up and crawled to my knee – Daddy, I am here. Getting ready for the strokes of the cane. My own was that they shouldn’t sha flog me on my naked butts in the full view of Shade.
My eyes locked with Baba’s own – I could see confusion in them.
Did I really do wrong by giving the UK university all of that money? Is there some truth in this mad boys’ position? He must have been asking himself.
Then I saw fear again. If this boy was correct then it is my legacy. Is this the wrongest and most costly move of my long life?
Then you know how it is. The confusion leads to a huge need to explain, and Baba explained.
He needed to convince himself of the righteousness of the act and not me. I have said mine and have moved on to the next topic – Seyi Tinubu and the $11m house – from what angle will I torment that fool.
As Baba spoke, my own hypocrisy hit me. I suddenly became ashamed of myself. Here was I attacking a frail old man who has done for Nigeria’s education much more than any Nigerian ever except maybe Awolowo who gave us free education and yet was keeping quiet at the blatant insult of a boy utilizing double the amount Baba sent to the UK to buy just one house under investigation while still in secondary school in the same UK.
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All of a sudden, I felt sick. I was overwhelmed with the stupidity of my actions. This was a private individual, and as far as we were concerned, this was his private money…..
I only went to primary school… He explained. Every other thing was by correspondence – he continued staring at his kinsman – Niran.
He needed to feed off Niran’s energy to neutralize this errant Akwa Ibom man who was bent on tarnishing his image
… so if the school that gave me education without which I will be, nothing approaches me to support an initiative that will better Africans. Why not?
By this time, I was on my knees, head bowed and ashamed because of Seyi Tinubu
I guess Baba sensed it and hit me hard – why are you wearing earrings to come and see me. Go to my hotel, check in, rest, and eat as much as you want and then come back at 9 pm without the earrings and also cut your hair…
I said yes, sir. I felt like hugging him. He was sincere and pained. I knew I had hurt him because he kept saying, ” I am not a fool….
Go round my school. It’s the best in the land. My hospital, my students, they are always impeccably dressed. The infrastructure is the best, and you can not find it anywhere else…
We drove around the massive structure. This man has executed his vision in his lifetime.
The school was beautiful and expansive with very beautiful girls – I don’t know why, sha, I didn’t see any male students- in every corner of the campus, and they wore uniforms to demarcate their colleges.
The medical students in their red and black outfits stood out. They should quickly graduate so that I can willingly become their patient.
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The Inn, the pharmacology, and the industrial park where agric foods were processed, the IPP, the huge sports facility, and everything that should be in a modern university were in place.
The students were quite young, mostly. I observed this as we mixed in the cafeteria. They looked well groomed and disciplined.
Saw one couple hold hands as they walked around and loved the young feeling of bliss.
This school was an oasis in a sea of poverty that surrounded it.
It was 9 pm and we went back. Baba walks in a few minutes after, and we are ushered in.
He was more relaxed. He had changed into traditional wear and looked quite handsome. This Baba can teach a babe one or two things.
He was happy, and he got engaged. How did you meet OBJ? Ohhhh he is my friend. I even sent him a text yesterday that he was looking very fine….
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I subpoenaed him during the missing oil money case, and he came and liked the way I handled his case . Since then, we became friends, and when he needed a lawyer against Buhari, he called me…
My school is the best…. I have given so much to education because without education I will be nothing.
We need a fresh constitution… the military set the 1960 constitution aside….. wrote another meaningless one.
Even if Angel Gabriel comes to rule us with this constitution, he will fail….
You are a very fine man… Baba suddenly echoes at the Duke. You are very fine and that is why you are wearing earrings and carrying your hair like a mad man….
Three of my students are in the UK on the back of those funds I sent there….. It is meant for African students….
By this time, the beautiful VC had entered with a small crowd, and I guessed our timing was up…
Baba reached out and gave us 4 envelopes as he bade us farewell….
On my way back to the presidential suite, I saw an airplane to the left of his office, packed in a lighted canopy, and wondered if it was functioning…
My meeting opened up my eyes to many things- tradition- he was an Aare, logic, legality, philanthropy, politics, leadership, visioning and execution, honesty, and most of all love for country and man.
I didn’t see the person who sent the CP of Police after me in that office, I didn’t see an angry man stare and talk at me…
I saw a patriot who felt hurt by my words and felt the need to correct the impression even if it meant getting the police to arrest me and drag me naked to his office so he can explain his part.
I have left Ekiti with a renewed respect for Aare Afe Babalola and also with a renewed vow to yab him again next month so that at least I will get a free stay at that wonderful Guest House of his, the one near the medical school so that I can renew my new hobby of staring the most beautiful medical students that I have ever seen in my life..
Thank you so much, Baba, for the education, and please watch out again for another write-up so that you can send Idowu your hardworking PA to send for me…
Let’s leave the police out of it next time – no need. Na papa and pikin fight.
God bless you, sir . God, really bless you, sir.
Thank you
*Duke of Shomolu*
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