My relationship with you Baba (Kola coined the word ‘Baba’ with which we always addressed each other) started at the University of Lagos in 1962, where we were foundation students. We were drawn to each other by discussions which were thoughtful and thorough. We became very close friends throughout undergraduate years. On graduation you began your civil service career in Ibadan Western Nigeria, and I did same in Kaduna Northern Nigeria.
Your tutelage was along the footprints of Chief S.O Adebo, the quintessential civil servant, from which you developed an amazing analytical mind. With the creation of States in 1966, I moved to Ilorin while you were still in Ibadan, and both of us journeyed at weekends to visit each other. We discussed far into the night and sometimes to the early hours of the next day. These discussions cemented our friendship.
Thereafter, you joined the new Lagos State, while I was transferred to North-East State. In your new post, you developed into the breed of the finest civil servants among whom honesty and integrity held sway. Like Chief S.O Adebo, you always insisted that your subordinates tell the truth, in spite of the decaying virtues and ideals of the public service.
This quality manifested in your lifestyle. You maintained a dogged determination not to take advantage of the many opportunities of the what-is-in-it-for-me syndrome all through the very high offices you held.
After your retirement, you resisted the pressure to join your former boss, Vice-Admiral Mike Akhigbe, when he was appointed Chief of General Staff (de- facto Vice-President) in Abuja. Not many people would have turned down such an opportunity. Right to the end, you demonstrated a remarkable contentment. Although you often wondered how Nigeria’s public service had taken such a full turn around to the bottom of the ladder, you were convinced, all the same, that there are still many good officers in the service.
On the home front, you did your very best. You stood above irresponsibility in family management. No one could accuse you of busy-body third party intervention. Your love for the children was exemplary, and this was same for extended family members with whom you shared commendably.
How can I thank you for your fatherly care on my two children, in the University of Lagos, and in your home away from school? How can I repay your dedication?
May God keep and bless your amiable wife who has kept the home front stable, supporting you all through. May His protection encompass her and all the children.
You were never weary of coming to support me in various activities in my home town, Kabba. On those innumerable visits, you always came along with some of UNILAG’S First Eleven (foundation students) and other Lagos friends. Memories of your visits to various parts of the North also linger on: Maiduguri, Misau, Kano, Monguno, Baga (in Lake Chad) Makurdi, Keffi, ZangoKataf, and others too many to recall. And everywhere you went, you spread your warmth, jokes and joy.
“For every time there is a season, a time for every matter under heaven. A time to be born and a time to die,” says Ecclesiastics of the Holy Bible. Baba, you have traversed both times, and you are now on your journey home.
Now and always, the question begging for an answer in my mind is Don Williams’ “Time oh time, where did you go?” And Louis Armstrong’s gentle answer is “We are travelling in the footsteps of those who’ve gone before… but we’ll all be united on a new sunlit shore.”
As you go, your song should continue to be “O when the saints go marching in, when the saints go marching in, O Lord I want to be in that number, when the saints go marching in.”
Baba, as I am sadly not able to attend the obsequies. I bid you farewell and the blessings of God’s grace. In my sorrow and hope, my song shall always be Jim Reeves’ “God be with you till we meet again…at Jesus Feet.”
- Pa Olowolayemo contributed this tribute from Abuja.
