Rasheed Gbadamosi: An art enthusiast signs out
From Nurudeen Oyewole, Lagos
Dateline June 16, 2016: Within the ambience of the Agip Recital Hall, Muson Centre, Onikan, Lagos where hundreds of well-wishers have gathered to celebrate iconic radio presenter, Benson Idonije who was marking his 80th birthday, three books were lined up for launch. At the time many of the special guests at the event were still contemplating on what to donate for the launch the books, Rasheed Abiodun Gbadamosi, even with his frail health, rose from his seat, found his way to the podium and announced a substantial amount of money as his donation.
Five months after that display of strength, he died few days to his 73rd birthday.
Since his death on November 16, 2016, there have been torrents of tributes extolling the virtues of a man they agreed, was of many paths.
President Muhammadu Buhari, in his condolence through his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, noted that the former minister of National Planning, former chairman of the Bank of Industry (BoI) and the Petroleum Products Pricing and Regulatory Agency (PPPRA) would be appreciated for a long time.
Yet, out of Gbadamosi numerous forays, his unbridled passion for art was what many claimed stood him out among those of his social class.
According to Prof. Bruce Onobrakpeya, a renowned artist, Gbadamosi death was a great loss to the art world and like every cultural engineer, his contribution to the industry will be greatly missed.
Yet, not only are the older generation of artists mourning. A young artist, Babatunde Ogunlade said: “It’s a personal loss for me. He was a great lover of art. Through his patronage and advice, so many artists have risen in the industry. He would be missed by all.”
Ogunlade further narrated how he had staged an art exhibition four months ago and had planned to make Gbadamosi a Special Guest of Honour. He recalled that despite being very ill, Gbadamosi sent for him and asked that he brought to him his exhibition catalogue.
Perhaps no one is better qualified in appraising Gbadamosi’s contribution in Visual Art Society Of Nigeria (VASON) than his close ally - Prince Yemisi Shyllon. Shyllon is the third of the tripod that founded VASON. The other two were Gbadamosi and Sammy Olagbaju - both of whom are now late.
“Led by late Sammy Olagbaju, Rasheed and I, the three of us set up VASON as a trustee for the promotion of art in Nigeria. The fact that the two of them are now late is no doubt a big loss for the industry,” he said.
Whereas, Onobrakpeya, Ogunlade and Shyllon were able to relate their experiences of late Gbadamosi, others in the industry were simply too devastated to offer a comment. Sandra Mbanefo-Obiago, an art curator was simply speechless when Daily Trust on Sunday contacted her on phone. Apparently unaware of the news until the reporter contacted her, Obiago said she was too shocked to utter a word.
She was not alone. Eighty-year old Idonije, whose book launch was one of the few recent events Gbadamosi attended before his demise could only reply the reporter’s text enquiry with few letters - “I am too devastated to say anything.”
Born in 1943, Gbadamosi bagged his B.A. (Hons) in Economics in 1966 before obtaining a Diploma in Advanced Studies (Econ. Development) in 1967 from University of Manchester, England. He subsequently bagged an MA in Economics from the University of New Hampshire, USA in 1969. At 27, Gbadamosi became a Commissioner in Lagos after the state creation in 1967.
He served as a Director at the now defunct National Electric Power Authority (NEPA) from 1976 to 1979, member, Nigerian Debt Rescheduling Team since 1986, Chairman, Petroleum Price Regulatory Agency (PPPRA) and was appointed Minister of National Planning. He was once Director of Musical Society of Nigeria (MUSON). Until his death, Gbadamosi was the co-chairman, Lagos @50 planning committee alongside Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka.