ALMOST 40 years ago, you stopped me on Oshodi rail line, Lagos, offered me a job. I had a year to go in school, and the National Youth Service Corps, NYSC. You said you would wait – you kept your word.
You did more.
These may seem ordinary but the circumstances were unique. The incident at Oshodi was the first time I had a conversation with you though I had known you for at least four years. Until Oshodi I didn’t know you knew my name. I didn’t know you followed my modest efforts. I didn’t know I could do more.
When you facilitated my NYSC at The Guardian and subsequently offered me a job, you kept your promises. It was an important phase of my growth, meeting great journalists from the various sides of our practice. The Guardian strove for the best, we were all on our feet.
You led from the front teaching patiently, correcting carefully, rebuking firmly yet so kindly that the person nearby would not know you were upset. You were different. How can I forget your kindnesses? You paid me N50 monthly from your resources to supplement my NYSC allowance, a lot of money in 1983 when the NYSC monthly allowance was N200.
You sent me on assignments abroad when I was still an NYSC member. You returned from foreign trips with something for everyone on the Sports Desk. The camaraderie you built on the Desk established enduring relationships. Chris Okojie, who I met on the Desk took me to Vanguard. The remaining members of the Desk are still friends.
You loved people. You loved their progress and praised their achievements in ways that made them do more. Our families were important to you. Many of them you met in your life time.
We are all shocked at your passing. It is a fate that awaits human beings but we thought you would have been with us a little longer.
Your life was a practical lesson on one pulling self up from his shoe straps. I wonder if you had shoe straps. You did so well and never failed to share your inspirational life stories. No excuses were permitted. You stripped situations of excuses and got things done.
SO This Morning – The Sports Journalist You Can’t Ignore. I greet you with the name of the incisive, impressive, informative weekly column you penned at The Guardian. Nobody can ignore you. Nobody can ignore the hundreds of lives, extended to thousands, for whom your recurring kindnesses made a positive difference.
Adieu, SO – boss, brother, friend, mentor, and more..
My condolences to the family, friends, colleagues, and all those you touched their lives.
May the Almighty grant you rest.
PS
There is Service of Songs on Thursday, 31 March 2022 in Lagos (See ‘Celebration of Life” for more details). Burial in Atlanta, USA, Friday 1 April 2022.
