Two books: The Life of James Pinson Labulo Davis: A Colossus of Victorian Lagos and Worthy in Character and Learning, a collection of lectures and addresses by the founder of Lagoon Hospitals, Dr. Adeyemo Elebute, were presented to the public at the Metropolitan Club, Lagos, last Wednesday. NNEKA NWANERI reports.
DR. ADEYEMO Elebute, is one of Nigeria’s renowned men of stethoscope. However, the Professor of Medicine and Surgery penultimate Wednesday became an author when he presented his two books: “The Life of James Pinson Labulo: A Colossus of Victorian Lagos and Worthy in Character and Learning”, to the public at the Metropolitan Club, Victoria Island, Lagos.
The latter is a collection of lectures and addresses by Elebute, the founder of Lagoon Hospitals, in his over three decades of medical practice.
Among the early arrivals was the Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwan Akiolu. He was accompanied by a retinue of Lagos white cap chiefs as he made for his seat on the high table. He was later joined by the chairman of the occasion, Mr. Fola Adeola.
For 30 minutes, the guests networked and exchanged pleasantries. They were decked in various attires traditional and English. Scores of chairs faced the high table, which had on its background, large portraits of the two books.
The programme which was anchored by Adesuwa Onyenokwe, a television presenter, began with the rendition of the national anthem. The anthem was rendered by Christine Ozoaga and Martins Osuho while Biodun Falode played the piano. Rt. Rev George Bako gave the opening prayer.
Students of the CMS Grammar School added colour to the event by putting up a wonderful performance that attracted applause from the guests.
Speaking, Adeola expressed delight that Elebute, who is a surgeon, has graduated from being a medical doctor to being an author. He said though the professor never met the hero of the book, he was able to make true discoveries about Davis. He noted that the late Davis was a philanthropist whose charity works affected the lives of people of Lagos State positively. “Prof Elebute is a brave man,” Adeola said.
Chairman of the Lagos State Securities Trust Fund, Mr. Fola Arthur-Worrey, who reviewed the books, explained that he felt a touch of envy for not writing the book. He said the striking characteristic of the book was the vividness of the imagery, rich with detail, which takes one back to Victorian Lagos (circa 1850-1900).
He said: “That was the age of gentlemen and gracious ladies. The time of the beginnings of “innocent commerce” replacing slave trade. The book reveals vivid snapshots of many facets of the life in Victorian Lagos; rich with personalities and politics, social scenery, business, failure and recovery.
The late Davis, a school teacher in CMS Grammar School, naval officer, mariner, merchant, farmer and industrialist, was one of the successful West Africans of the 19th century. He became famous through his political activism in the face of imperialism, his success in international trade and his marriage to Aina- Sarah Forbes Bonetta.
The book paints a vivid picture of the life of the Victorian era colossus and, by extension, a fascinating but largely ignored era of West African History.
Again, a piano recital and tenor solo was done by Falode and Osuho. It was entitled “Oloba”.
Oloba is a Yoruba folklore song by Mrs. Victoria Randle, daughter of Davis, which she gave to the famous Black British composer Samuel Coleridge-Taylor. It was used as the basis of the seventh of Coleridge-Taylor’s ’24 Negro Melodies’ published in 1905.
A former Pro-Chancellor of Bauchi and Abuja universities, who was a one-time Principal of Queens College, Lagos, Mrs Gbolahan Abisogun-Alo, reviewed Worthy in Character and Learning.
The book, published by Florence and Lambert, she said, “is on every position taken by the author over the years. Such positions are still valid and bother on character development and learning in the society.”
The book was unveiled by the grandchildren of the author, assisted by other guests, including the Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Fashola.
Oba Akiolu praised Elebute for a very good job since there was no document on the family. He told guests that there are many other details missing in the book, which the author should have beckoned on him to provide.
“He is a worthy son of Nigeria and of history, whose book has opened up discussions on the role of what the British did for Lagosians,” Oba said.
He led all to sing the ‘Birthday Song’ for Alhaji Lateef Okunnu who attended the event. Okunnu turned 81 that day and the wife of the author was 80 the Sunday before.
Fashola expressed dismay over the purchase of streets by individuals which are named after them.
He said such recognition should be earned through service to humanity, to avoid distortion of history.
“How can we explain to our children occurrences in certain areas when the names attached to some streets have meanings and have been changed?” Fashola asked.
Little Miss. Tara Odunsi, Prof Elebute’s granddaughter, presented flowers to the governor, thanking him for attending her grandpa’s book launch.
In response, Prof. Elebute said his intention was to write on the life of Davis and the role he played at that time.
“I am a fake historian. I only wanted to open up matters for discussion and leave the rest to the real historians.”
