THE EXIT OF THE LORD'S SERVANT - RWA, 1954-2017
The man I knew, a trusted leader/servant, of his family.
As a kid, he was opportune to sojourn in Ibadan, the city that was never conquered by any war. He was at the prestigious "Children Home School", founded by mama Ogunlesi. Unfortunately, I could not meet him then. Being the son of a committed friend of the late sage, Awo & his party, "Non-fee-paying-Council School was just good for me." "Abi o".
When his siblings, particularly the younger ones have a matter in his care, they "go to bed" and await his "direction". Sorry, this, would be, no more.
Very little, I knew of him, because I may not boast of any intimacy. However, from my little personal experiences, and the opinion of my brothers/sisters-in-law, I based my evaluation. This, I think is enough "vox pop".without pretences.
That little of him, known to me, would be just enough to turn around a world like the one I live in, if only 25% of its inhabitants could be so trusted.
I met this man almost 4 decades ago as an elder brother to a lady I admired. Trust, a bloody "arokian", sojourning in Lagos, I could not only be satisfied with a presentable lady, but one from a respectable background. This man, an appreciable member of their respectable family, could be seen as a good ambassador of Bami-David's family. I prayed, (though yet to be reborn) concerning the young girl, but also considered many facts, including the character of the kinds of late "uncle Yo". Apologies to Mr Wale Akinsehinwa, his affectionate nephew.
We never really had any other thing in common, but I could bet, he approved of my humble self, as a suitor worthy of consideration. If he had said NO to the ears of my "babe", then the likelihood of having a wife that the Olokos mistook as one of their own daughters might have been a mirage.
No thanks, to the then NEPA. Some 35years ago, on a certan day, the then young man, had to get up around 4am to iron his shirts, when he was awoken by the shout of "upNEPA". Not a few, wonder, if NEPA was really up. At that pretty morning hour, the young dad of pretty Sayo, now Mrs Alonge, peeped out of his window. He saw his well parked "tear rubber" Peugeot 504 L.This car, daily, "ferried" him to & fro NNPC HQ, Falomo, Ikoyi. Unfortunately, on finally rising up at about 6am, the elitist "mobility" of that age, was, to-be-seen-no-more. The nasty boys have done their worst. This man took the shock very calmly. Oh, he had to jump into taxi for a few weeks again.
Watching him from a distance, I was never in a position to advise him on personal issues but I discovered that he took similar stands as I would have in similar situations.
An appreciably handsome man, he would easily be selected, Mr "Nigeria of YEMAJA STREET".
In his "regalia" as a dutiful warden at "Our Saviour Anglican Church TBS, Lagos", you would feel like coming to serve.
My dear sister, 'Dewola, pretty Sayo, "Prof" & "Pinky", you would never be consoled enough by man, but our Lord Jesus Christ. And this, He would do. Amen.
The Lord's servant - RWA, "Ewuoladubo" omo bami David, omo manager, omo Obateru, continue to rest in peace, till the resurrection morning.
By…AKIN OLOKO.(IBADAN, NIGERIA)…………………………………