An
Elephant –with capital ‘E’ –has slumped, fallen. A big-headed, long-tusked
mammal has slept off like a mountainous hill. Dipo Famakinwa is the new
initiate into the body of spirits. One of the cerebral fighters for the
economic advancement of the Oduduwa descendants has joined the league of
loitering sheep; the army of wandering reptiles.
 |
| Late Dipo Famakinwa |
A complete gentleman, a diplomat par
excellence, a developmental expert, a spirited mentor, an unassuming
intellectual, a Great Ife alumnus, who, in a characteristic manner, was
described –by one of my equally cerebral Egbon; Misbau AbdulLateef –as “one of
the few VIP around that has no air of arrogance”. He taught us, among others,
how to love your nation without hating others.
It was
during one of the usual tense cyber intellectual engagements that our paths
crossed. If my memory is in its rightful form, the public topical issue was
what made the participatory organs in a federating system: the need or not for
the existence of local governments. Again, if I do not have memory lapse, Uncle
Dipo made a case, compelling as expected, against the usefulness and expediency
of the much-touted local government. In all, this Oodua son represented a
trademark of penetrating and statistics-laden expositions. We developed mutual
love and respect since then. And, as a cultured man of Yoruba nation, with our
well-known disarming disposition of respectfulness, I always call him “Egbon”,
and he always call me “Aburo” –that I am.
Not unusual
in back-and-forth exchanges and brick-bats in human (cyber) habitation, we
found ourselves in opposing camps during the Hijab crisis in Osun state. While
my Egbon believed the Muslims’ agitation was needless, and capable of straining
the historical peace among the Oodua descendants, I believed the constitutional
guarantee of people’s freedom to manifest their religion and belief must not be
thwarted, not under the guise of maintaining peaceful co-existence. Despite our
strong diverging opinion, he remained understanding, tolerant and persuasive
–rare attributes among our public intellectuals, many who always exhibit
bigger-than-head ego.
After
the intellectual sparring, our relationship, though still virtual, grew larger
and closer. Occasionally, especially after random public announcements of my
academic and scholarly exploits, during my doctoral study, Egbon Dipo would
“check me inbox”; ask of my well-being, and admonish me on the indispensability
of pursuing excellence. He –on a self-imposed task of overseeing all Oodua
descendants –would tell me the Yoruba nation is proud of me. These are
practically, and literally, spirit-lifting words.
I would
later meet him personally during an event in the corporate office of
Development Agenda for Western Nigeria (DAWN). It was one of the laudable
projects of the development agency: Historical Conversations. We had the historical
dinner, laced with archaeological condiments, served by Prof. Siyan Oyeweso. At
first sight, Boda Dipo jumped at me, and we embraced tightly and warmly.
“Semiu,
mi o ri e” (Semiu, I didn’t see you)
“Mo ni
ki program pa ri ni, kin t’owa kin yi” (I was waiting for the end of the
program –before I come to you)
“How
are you?”
“I am
fine, sir. And I am very proud to see the works you and your team is doing
here. We are very proud of you, sir”
These
were our exchanges, in the usual Yoruba cultural nuances and its associated
gesticulations and body mannerism. We took photographs, had brief chit-chat, as
I eye-marveled around, smelling the ambience of minimalist decorative but
corporate interior of the DAWN’s office situated at the historic Cocoa House, Dugbe,
Ibadan.
While
saying “good bye”, he gave me his card, drew me closer, and whispered: “Semiu,
e ma de bi yi oo. Eyin l’eni DAWN” (Semiu, don’t be far from here. You
(apparently referring to all sons and daughters of the Yoruba nation) own
DAWN).
Regrettably,
I will not be seeing him again –not in the physical anymore! The sun has set at
dawn. The sun has set in Development Agenda for Western Nigeria –DAWN. A sun
must rise, again, and that must stay till dusk.
Till we
reunite under the mystic canopy of Orunmila, continue to dine and wine with all
the available in heaven.
Sleep well, brother!!
