SIR KESSINGTON ADEBUTU – A FOND ENCOUNTER

Let me tell you guys one small gist. As a Stockbroker with BGL, I was aggressive. I could sell ice block to Eskimo and still collect his wife if he was not careful. That was how I set my sights on this great Nigerian – Sir Kessington Adebutu. I had heard so much about him and the wonderful institution he had built. According to the baba himself, he had built a stock market for the masses. I never knew the extent of his influence especially in the area of the empowerment of the people until my barber in my small hair salon that I had set up in Bariga resigned after winning N200,000 from the very popular ‘Baba Ijebu’ lottery. A man who was earning N20,000 a month suddenly hit N200,000, he left to set up his own shop becoming his own man. I was proud of him but counted my clippers and made sure they were complete before I allowed him to go. I cannot cry. So I moved in on Baba himself, I pushed and made the calls. Finally, I got a meeting. It was to be at his Surulere office and I think it was me trying to convince him to take a huge stake in the then national bank. This was very long time ago o. I was ushered in and met a very jovial and good looking old man. He was about to take his lunch and if I remember very well, it was Amala and gbegiri. He asked me to join, I respectfully said thank you sir, but kept staring at his ‘Olori’. She was beautiful, light in complexion and very nice. Baba noticing that I was about to fall off a cliff mentioned that even at his age I could not compete. I quickly agree abi would I now be arguing with a giant? He did not bite the hook as he stated that he had accounts with all of the then 53 banks and was not interested in national bank. As an experienced salesman, you know never to argue with experience and power. I accepted and thanked him for agreeing to meet me and when he asked what my name was and I said ‘Edgar’. He asked if my father was the Eghagha who used to be in ECOWAS. I said my own na post office for Ebute Metta. But luckily the Eghagha was father to my pals Ejiro and Voke and I told him. He laughed and bade me farewell. As I walked away, I saw my friend and brother Bisi Adebutu. His own story is for another day, but let me just say he is doing things. This family headed by the huge profiled daddy continues to touch lives. Every Tuesday, the crowds that besiege their Surulere office as beneficiaries’ of the Foundation continue to grow. The Adebutu’s continue to touch, empower and give hope to the masses. I stand with them this Sunday in true salute to the power of vision. Welldone sir.