How old was the prodigal son? The Bible did not say, but surely, he could not have been up to 60. The prodigal son may have been in his twenties or thirties. From his story, he could not have been more than a child, a boy still being fed by his parents. Since his father was wealthy, he had all he needed. He and his older brother lacked only what they did not need!
Like all rich and spoilt children, he rose one day and decided that he wanted his own share of his inheritance. How can a child inherit his father when the old man is still alive? His father acceded to his request and the boy left home. In no time, he had squandered his inheritance. Before he knew it, he fell into hard times and resorted to doing all sorts of menial job to keep body and soul together.
The prodigal son could not cope with the change in fortune. He looked at himself and he did not like what he saw and the scales fell off his eyes. He wondered how he got into his lowly state. He resolved to return home and it was a happy ending for him as his father forgave him his trespasses. If the prodigal son was being childish, could that also be said of a man, who is above 60 and with his mental faculty intact, who misbehaved because he found himself in power?
Doyin Okupe was not a newcomer to public office when former President Goodluck Jonathan appointed him as an aide. Okupe had worked for former President Olusegun Obasanjo and even served in a higher capacity then than under Jonathan. Mind you, there was nothing he did under Obasanjo that he did not do worse under Jonathan.
He was voluble, abusive and always attacking his master’s real and imaginary enemies. Obasanjo enjoyed what Okupe was doing as his attack dog; he did not call him to order. He allowed the Remo-born physician a free rein and Okupe became a loose canon. So loose that he did not spare even Obasanjo when the tide changed.
Okupe is not a boy that he should not know where to draw the line in the discharge of his duty. At his age and a Yoruba to boot, he should know that he did not have to call a cow brother because he wanted to eat beef. In order to show Jonathan that he is 100% loyal, Okupe took Obasanjo to the cleaners for daring to attack the immediate past president, forgetting that Obasanjo was his former boss. By attacking Obasanjo to please Jonathan, Okupe displayed the trait of those the Yoruba callalayi more (an unappreciative person).
Like the prodigal son, this prodigal father has wormed his way back into Obasanjo’s heart. Penultimate Sunday, he went to Obasanjo’s Ota farm in Ogun State to beg for forgiveness. Does that mean he has withdrawn all the uncomplimentary things he said about Obasanjo? If tomorrow he finds himself in office again will he not still tear Obasanjo to pieces if the former president criticises his new master? The likes of Okupe do not change. They are blown by the wind. If the wind blows left, they move there, if right, they will be found there. Do not be surprised if Okupe changes gear tomorrow and attacks Obasanjo again. I tell you, he will do it over and over again to please his new masters, who ever they may be.
People like Okupe are always on the side where their bread is buttered. I am not fooled by his prostration; so don’t be too. As the Yoruba say prostration does not portray good breeding. Obasanjo beware.
Exit of a virtuous woman
The news of the death of Remi Ibitola’s wife, Abiodun, hit me like a thunderbolt on Sunday night. Biodun dead? What could have happened? As soon as I got the information, my mind went straight to Remi. I knew that he would be shattered because he and Biodun were close. I know because I lived with them in Akure, the Ondo State capital, in 1992. I had joined the Daily Timesfrom thePunch and was posted to Akure on relief duty. Remi, who was Punch’s Ondo State correspondent had also just been posted to Lagos. The late Dare Ajuwon replaced him in Akure. Remi knew that I had nowhere to stay in Akure, so he offered me his place. For six months, I was the guest of the Ibitolas. Whenever Remi came home from Lagos, we always had a swell time, with Biodun (I find it difficult to refer to her as late) striving to satisfy us. She was a woman who knew how to take care of her man. She really took care of Remi, ensuring that he lacked nothing whenever he was around.
She did not say it; but she acted it. She would have preferred that Remi remained in Akure because she felt he was not receiving good care in Lagos. She was fond of asking him whenever he came home so jeun dada sha; mio feran bo seri yi (I hope you are eating well; I do not like how you are looking). Unknown to her, Remi’s posting was for his own good, career wise. Her prayers for him were answered when Remi became editor of the Sunday Punch some years later. Remi and Biodun were soulmates. They cherished each other’s company. They never got tired of gisting till very late in the night. When one went to the loo, the other followed, still talking and laughing. I kept asking Remi what they were talking about that could not wait for the other person to return from the loo so as to continue. And he would burst out laughing. Omo eko ni e tie Lawi, sha ba wo (You are a Lagos boy, Lawal, just keep watching). They were a study in love; true love. Remi loves Biodun (yes, he still does) and would never do anything without her. She was his confidante, partner, adviser and above all mother. Biodun mothered Remi. Her love for him was deep and true. There was nothing she could not do for him; she was always there for him. And the love was mutual. Remi too did not joke about her. Her death will shake Remi; I only pray that God will console him. May He grant him the fortitude to bear this great loss. Those of us who knew Biodun know that she was a wife in the true sense of the word to Remi.
When I spoke with Remi on Tuesday, the voice I heard on phone was not that of the ebullient guy I know who is ever ready to throw banters at you. His voice was subdued and low. I immediately knew that he has not been finding things easy since the untimely death of his better half. I could only console him and pray for the repose of the soul of the departed. May she rest in the bosom of the Lord. Biodun’s funeral holds in Akure on May 27 and 28.
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