This weekend, family and friends are celebrating Pa Augustine Olajide Shodunke, who clocks 100 years. Beyond that they are acknowledging a life of accomplishment, of service to humanity and God. Gboyega Alaka had a most interesting chat with the centenarian ex-railway worker.

The first surprise takeaway of this encounter with 100-year-old Pa Augustine Olajide Shodunke, is the fact that he still reads without glasses. In an age when even toddlers use glasses as visual aids and it is taken that every forty-something and fifty-something must wear glasses, at least to read, the old man surprised this writer, when he effortlessly read from his bio data without glasses.

But that is just one of the numerous surprises/miracles that Papa, a former Railway man, former Customary Court judge and a staunch Catholic and Patron CMO of St. Ferdinand Catholic Church, Boys Town, Ipaja, Lagos, epitomises. It goes without saying that even clocking 100, which as he sat down for this interview, was just three days away, is a miracle. Not many people, especially in the urban centres, where he has lived most years of his life, live to be 90, much less 100.

Also, his voice, though feint and hoarse, remains audible, so much that this reporter had no hassles transcribing the interview. Aside that, his thoughts and expressions are still well organised and coordinated and he responds to questions accordingly. Yes, on one or two occasions, he beckoned on his son, who incidentally is his namesake, Sir Augustine Ayodele Shodunke, to remind him of some facts or help confirm certain statements; but he remained in charge all through.

Above all, though stooped, Pa Shodunke still feeds himself and walks upright. To the surprise of this reporter, he came out to the balcony of his Alimosho storey building, where this interview was to hold, walking without much help and identifying virtually everyone present.

Miracles, miracles? Yes. Even Pa Shodunke agrees; and that that’s why he bursts into a song of praise the moment this reporter throws the first question about the secrets of his longevity.

First, he says “All glory goes to God.” And then he launches into the song: Iyanu l’Oluwa… (Wonderful, Marvellous is the Lord…). Owing to his Catholic heritage, where he is founder and active member of so many groups, he rarely misses any opportunity to praise or give credit to God.

“Even I do not understand,” he begins in a sober but clearly grateful tone, “but whatever God wants to do, He does. One important thing I can say is that God has a mission for me. If you look at my brief bio-data (he hands this reporter 2-page printed copy), you will see the many accomplishments God has used me for.”

Almost immediately, he switches into a deep, reflective mood: “Very unfortunately; God does as He wishes. The person, my partner, with whom I started my life’s journey, has departed this world. My wife, Aduke Shodunke, left this world at the age of 85. She died about five years ago. But I’m grateful for others that God has surrounded me with. One of them is this woman here, Mrs H. O Adeshina. (She had come to visit.) Unfortunately her own husband has also passed; but she has maintained the cordial relationship we’ve always had, visiting me regularly and even bringing me gifts.”

Good old railway days

Always eager to talk about his days as a Nigeria Railway Corporation worker, where he worked for 35 years and rose to the position of Station Manager, Pa Shodunke says with a smile, “Those were interesting days. As a Railway worker, you got transferred a lot. As a result, you hardly get to stay enough time with your family. I worked in Ibadan; I worked in Ilaro….”

Labouring to recollect the numerous towns/cities work took him, he solicits the assistance of his son, who incidentally shares same first name with him, Sir Augustine Ayodele Shodunke, who eagerly chipped in: “You were also in Shakwatu in Niger State. That was where our second to the lastborn, Titi, was born. He was also in Zaria; and Jebba. It was in Jebba that I saw a fish so big that you couldn’t finish its head, no matter how famished you were.”

Suddenly remembering, Shodunke senior adds, “Yes, I had two children in Zaria.”

Both father and son laugh in recollection.

Asked why the Railway System of transportation was so popular back in his day, and only struggling to regain popularity under the current government’s intense rebuilding efforts, the Centenarian pauses for a minute, then says pointedly, “You see, the railway was slow. It was slow but safe. For us as staff, there was lots of joy and camaraderie that made working on the train enjoyable. There were hardly boring moments and we were so close and did things together. We ate together, drank together, and did lots of running here and there together in good spirit.

“I’m not sure that’s still the case with the system. Back then the train operated manually, we used coal; I learnt everything is now done by the pressing of buttons. I spent 35 years in the system before retiring. Thereafter, I went to work as a Customary Court judge in Ikeja. I became President of Grade ‘A’ Customary Court Ikeja and retired after ten years. Again, I was invited to come and preside over another court as Justice of the Pace; but I excused myself. I told them I needed to rest. Then I was about 70 years of age.

Aside the love they shared, what else made working in the railway system worth their while?

“Oh they paid well; particularly if you worked overtime. The proceeds of working Saturday and Sundays of the month, when paid together at the end of the month, were almost equivalent to your monthly salary. So it was as if we were earning double salary. It was a lot of money and a motivation that didn’t make you feel whatever discomfort that came with the job.”

Why then did things change? Such sweet vibes no longer emanate from those working in the system.

“Later, payment became irregular. Even before I left, things had began to wane. But the overtime was still a motivation and attraction. Also, it was  managed by white people all that time and they were fair and straightforward. Though promotion was rare and far between, if you worked hard enough for them to notice you, you would get promoted. Besides, not many people worried about not being promoted; the overtime payment compensated for any kind of disappointment. In the first place, weren’t we there to make money? And we did make money in the context of that time.”

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How did he cope with the detachment from his family all the while he was being transferred to far flung places?

“My wife and children were all based in Lagos; Sabo, Yaba precisely. They all had to be in Lagos principally because of their education. It was a sacrifice and I’m glad we were able to give them quality education. They all went to Catholic schools. Ayo here is a builder by profession; he actually built this house (Papa’s house). He’s a testament to the type of education we were able to give our children. We were blessed with seven of them, although two have gone to be with the Lord.”

At this point, his son again chips in: “My elder sister departed at 51; then my younger brother had a fatal accident and died at age 34.”

Pa Shodunke continues, “I am also a product of quality education; I finished from St Gregory’s College. Before then, I had attended St. Patrick Catholic School, Yaba; St. Paul’s Catholic School, Ebute Metta and Government School, Okesuna, Lagos Island. Back in our time, the standard education was going to college. Once you went to college, you were okay; this whole craze for university was not necessary. You either finished in Standard Four or Standard Six. I finished in Standard Six, and with that you’re good to go. And jobs were so easy to come by. In fact, with that level of education, you were a hot cake. As a matter of fact, the only higher institution then was Yaba Higher College.”

For someone who was always away from home, he surely must have encountered lots of temptation from the female-folk. Did he father children from any of the women in any of those cities?

Pa Shodunke laughs, shakes his head and said with a straight face: “I never fell into that temptation. If I had, my children would have half brothers and that would eventually constitute a problem for them as they grow up. Such things breed unnecessary division and rancour.”

But how did he overcome the temptation, considering that money, like he said, was not a problem?

Again he laughs and says, “You are correct. The temptation from women was always there. Even up till this moment, if I want to womanise, the opportunities are there. Some women still want me to look their way. While my wife was alive, and even after she had passed, women made passes, but that was never in my focus, never part of my life. I happen to be in so many Christian societies; most of them I even spearheaded or founded; so I must not be found doing such things.”

Asked to compare Nigeria of today with Nigeria of his youth and active days, Pa Shodunke’s face lightens with retrospection and then he says, “Nigeria of that time was far more peaceful. There weren’t so many people in Lagos, but there was love and neighbourliness. People loved each other and we did things together. We were our brother’s keeper. Whatever affected your neighbour affected you. Most importantly, the city of Lagos was safe. You could move at anytime because police were everywhere watching the neighbourhoods. Also, there was streetlight everywhere and you had no reason to fear anything.”

How about the bad boys, surely they must exist even then?

“There were no bad boys. Rascality, the type that we have now was non-existent. Children were well brought up; so there was near-zero chance of having any of them turning out as hoodlums,” he replies assuredly.

What then changed the world? How did Nigeria get here?

“The reason everything has turned upside down” Pa Shodunke reflects, “is because parents are no longer able to control their children. Back then, parents were in charge of their wards and the children obeyed. Also, there was unity in the home. Father and mother cooperated because of their children and they were fair to them all. Even your next door neighbours were your brothers/sisters in Christ. So, I blame the situation today on failure of parenting.

“Also, children of nowadays are overambitious. There is no love. The only love that exists now is love of money. Young people want to make big money and acquire expensive, flashy things. Even pastors are not able to keep their pastures in check. People hear word of God but they rarely put it to use. I thank God particularly for the kind of children He gave me. They listened to us as we groomed them, and that is why they turned out right.”

 

Back to base

Following his retirement, Pa Shodunke says he gradually began considering coming back home. Home of course was Lagos, even though he is originally an Egba indigene born in Erunwon, Ake, Abeokuta on August 28, 1921. He also delved into a brief history of how his house on Alimosho Road was built fifty years ago.

“When my mind started telling me to come back to Lagos, I sold my house in a housing estate in Bodija. Houses in that estate had been bought mostly by workers on transfer like myself. The money was not much, but it was with its proceeds that we built this house. Ayo here built it; you know he is a builder. Then, this whole place was a deep forest and my family were reluctant coming here. They said it was bush and couldn’t come to terms with living all the modernity in Yaba to come and settle here. We even used to trek here then because there were no roads or vehicles.”

Not able to resist the temptation, Ayodele again chips in rather loudly: “In fact, I was the one who was particularly against it. How could I leave all the modernity and life in Yaba, to come and live in this forest? But, as you can see, all that is history now,” he smiles.

With longevity always come pleasant and not too pleasant experiences, so we asked how the old man has coped with losing some of his beloved ones.

Again, switching to that sober mood, Shodunke said, “Everything boils down to faith in God. God does as He wishes. And once one has that belief, it will be easy for him to cope with whatever fate brings to him. I thank God for those who are alive today; they are doing their level best to care for me and make sure I get the best. As you can see, preparations are in top gear for this centenary birthday celebration, and they are taking care of all the expenses.”

About COVID-19 and the lockdown that has kept his generation away from church, he again says, “Whatever God brings forth for a man; he should praise and thank Him. Now I can no longer attend church but our Pope (Pope Francis) has recommended that we follow mass on television, which I do religiously. At other times, I go to the altar and do my devotion. I also spend long hours in prayers, praying for my beloved ones.”

 

Lifestyle

“A few years ago, a doctor told me that I should stop eating eba. Since then, I stopped eating eba along with other largely starchy foods. But I eat semovita; I eat rice; and vegetables. I don’t eat much anymore though. However, I drink Guinness Stout. In the absence of that, I drink Legend. Also I take Alabunkun regularly for my body pain.”

His son would again chip in that papa, before COVID-19, was ever agile and always on the go.

“It is age, and the lockdown, which has relaxed his muscles, that stopped him from going to church. Even before I bought my own car, Papa had bought about three cars, principally for me to take him to church on Sundays; and to family gatherings on Saturdays. On occasions when we delay for one reason or the other, we’d just discover that he would have taken a bus to church ahead of us. He detested anything that would delay or come in between him and going to church early.”

Pa Shodunke was born into a Muslim family in Abeokuta. He became a Christian when he went to live with his uncle, Mr Babatunde Akinsowon, who migrated to the Cameroons, where he settled and became a staunch Catholic. One of his sons, Stephen Akinsowon, Papa revealed, became a reverend father. Much later, his mum converted to Christianity. According to him, she was converted into the Catholic faith and baptised at Regina Mundi, Yaba. She also died and was buried there. His dad, however, remained devoted to his Muslim faith until he passed.