BABATUNDE FASHOLA: A STRANGE TWIST OF FATE
That I admire Oga cannot be overstated. He governed Lagos for eight years, admirably. To date, he has been the only one that has withstood the raging fire of the one who owns the bullion van and who owns us. He got a second term despite the keen insistence otherwise by the lord of the flies. Then he moved on to become a Federal Minister in the Works and Housing Ministry just as my lead hero in ‘Baba Kekere’, Alhaji Lateef Jakande. So, it was only fitting that I invited him as the Special Guest of Honour at the Command Performance. So, I reached out to his Media chief who made sure the invite got to Oga. Oga was said to have advised that we shifted the date to May 3 as a result of the Ramadan. Me, I took it hook, line, and sinker. At that point, a very funny comedy of errors was playing out between me, Lagos State Government and the new management at the Glover Hall. Between the three of us, we were changing dates the way prostitutes at the famed Good Evening Street, near Adebiyi Street in Shomolu changed customers. From April 24 to May 2 and finally May 3. So we informed the Honourable Minister’s team and new cards were sent out not only to him but to every invited special guest. We got early information that Mr. Governor would not attend. We didn’t shake because we knew at that time; the second term nomination process was in high gear. Baba will not come and be watching play when snakes are everywhere o. So, Fashola’s attendance would have added much more colour to the event. Confirmation came and I jumped out from the bathroom naked like I always do. We were set for the most colourful command performance ever. Na so I look road tire o. I no see Fa…. talk less of Shola for Tinubu Square o; not to mention Glover Hall. I leave am to God. I continue with my show. That was how I woke up from an Afangladen sleep the next day with over 30 missed calls on my phone. I had put it on silent. When you lose money the way I lost money because of all that postponement, you will eat two bowls of Afang and sleep off na. My brother Hakeem Bello, Mr. Fashola’s Media Chief, had called me tire. He wanted me to receive the honourable Minister at Glover. Oh my God! The show was yesterday o. Kai, there was a mix up. My fault totally. Although I had mentioned the date, we all worked on Wednesday. Kai. I jumped up from my bed and called back. The Honourable Minister’s advance team was already at Glover. OMG! The money these people promised me has lost ooo!!! My mother had told me when I told her that I will not pay tithe that Pastor just bought a new Range. She had said, don’t worry if you won’t serve God you will serve Baal. No be Baal be this, wey make minister come show the next day instead of the real day. Anyways, I want to thank Mr. Fashola for taking the pains of coming. It onIy shows the high respect he has for LKJ’s legacy and also for the arts and our culture. I thank you so so much. God bless.