TO Ibadan and the sprawling Recreation Club for the wedding reception of the daughter of Felix Adenaike, journalistic colossus and brilliant editorialist in his heydays. Felix, together with the feisty and forthright Peter Ajayi and Akinrogun Segun Osoba, the ultimate newshound, ruled the journalistic roost in Ibadan in the golden decade spanning the seventies and eighties. They were known as the three musketeers.
Those were the days when men were men and journalists were real journalists, not the half-baked flotsams and jetsams we have these days. Across the road from Adamasingba, yours sincerely used to slip into a block of offices to engage the great and much missed Cicero himself in intense political duels. That was after drinking Baghdad tea at Sabo. Often exasperated, the great man would exclaim: “Ori e ti wa yi patapata bayi ooo”. (Your mind has given way completely).
It was great and good seeing the three musketeers graying gracefully and with the gravitas conferred by advancing years. Having shed much weight over the years, Peter darted all over the place like a youth having much fun. Felix was in his ebullient elements, showing what a good and loving father he was. As for the Akinrogun, the Aladire of Igbore, was as prettily dainty as ever. One day we shall have the time to talk about the Osoba dress sense bringing into public view those two brilliant pictures of a youthful and supremely elegant Osoba that adorn his sitting room in Ikoyi.
It was great to be reunited with the old warlords of Nigerian journalism, particularly the brilliant and scathing Gbolabo Ogunsanwo. Even though snooper delayed his entry until sunset, he still managed to cause a stir. Our friend, the amiable gubernatorial wannabe, Senator Ajibola Ajimobi, cut through his beer with the swash and swerve of an old Ibadan warrior, and with plenty of earthy humor to spare. Here is wishing the three musketeers long life and prosperity.
- ( First published in 2007)
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