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By Bernard Balogun
I am not delighted writing this dirge on Segun Awolowo Jr. In the vibrant Yoruba culture, an aburo has that task. He was an aburo. It is therefore an unpleasant opportunity to write this dirge, essentially to comfort and strengthen you all at a time like this.
For me, and l know others share this sentiment with me. I think, it is too early for Segun to quit the stage.
Segun, your family, your extended family, friends and admirers loved your energy, your passion and they poured out their affection so deeply and sorely.
Segun was a detribalised Nigerian and he loved all he came across irrespective of their social standing. His commitment to friendship was legendary. These are some of the finest qualities Segun took to the celestial realm, painfully so. After all, did they not say the voice of the people is the voice of God?
The night of tributes organised in his memory revealed many things. One, Segun had a name, he kept away from the rest of us KOFI (that is strange). Second, Segun, Jr, was no 2 of the grandchildren of the Awo dynasty. If my memory serves me right, Sege, you are first grandchild to return to the heavenly Home.
I must confess and wish to diligently reiterate it here that in 1980, my friends & l attended the wedding of egbon Fatai in Ijebu-lgbo cum lkenne. The bride is from Ikenne.
We were in the reception hall, when someone loosely hinted that papa Awolowo’s house is just down the road. We decided to pay an unscheduled visit. By the time we got to his palatial mansion, papa was having his midday rest. We returned by which time he had woken. Papa Awo generously granted us a brief audience and pieces of advice followed, advices that suggested straight-away that he wished us great in life. Otherwise, why would he be advising us…if you finds yourselves in government, in the future, be frugal, be spartan. Don’t be reckless. Don’t eat or drink what you cant afford to buy when out of government. Don’t live a competitive life style, etc.
As l prostrated to take our leave of him, we left papa’s house that Saturday evening on our return leg to Ijebu Igbo, my memory went into auto reverse. As a child in my growing days in Lokoja, l had thought papa Awo lived in the outer space, not on this planet like the rest of us. Perhaps, l was naive, indeed l was. My own late father would say, he went to prison so that Nigerians could have a better life. That same man l just met. Incredible. The euphoria was something else. I wish l could tell my late dad l just had a memorable meeting with the “great Awo”.
I saw, from afar, those spartan qualities in his grandson, Segun Jr, whom we mourn now.
The Awolowo family has one common facial feature – their eyeballs and noses and Segun exemplified it.
Segun Awolowo Jr came to fill the gap his own father could not fill, due to his early departure to the heavenly Home.
Segun was born into a renowned family in Ikenne. The beloved town of late Dr Tai Solarin, Founder of Mayflower School, Ikenne. For the benefit of our younger generation. Late Tai Solarin was an educationist par excellence, an atheist, and social commentator. Dr Solarin was the author of the popular & aggressive New Year greetings, which was first published, l guess, in the Nigerian Tribune or Daily Times newspapers of old on January 11964. It is in Ikenne town whence Dr Tai Solarin scripted that – May Your Road Be Rough… How would you feel for a friend, meeting you for the first time in the New Year aggressively say to you – MAY YOUR ROAD BE ROUGH? I remember in the 60s up to the 70s this greetings was incorporated in the Primary Six Oxford Standard English Text Book.
Ooops, l am sorry. I digressed.
Segun Awolowo did not live long as we would have wished – like his granddad, the Sage who lived about 78years. He died on May 9, 1987 and grandmom, HID, who transited few months to her 100years. She transited on September 19, 2015. Of course, Segun Jr lived longer than his biological father, egbon Segun Sr lived 24years when he died on July 10, 1963 in a car accident. That should sound like a consolation.
Segun was a colossus amongst his peers, always willing to assist. He was a cheerful guy, exuding impactful energy. Who would not be pained to lose such a gleeful friend. Since he came to public life, courtesy President Olusegun Obasanjo, Segun had acquitted himself so responsibly with such profound level of commitment. He was an asset rather than a liability.
To our revered auntie ABBA, his beloved mother, may Allah console you ma. To Segun’s amiable wife Bola, may Mother Mary shed you with Her mantle of love & protection. You did your best. To sister Funke Awolowo – may God grant you the grace & strength to overcome this calamitous situation.
To his adorable children, may God keep you in harmony, protection and divine growth.
To our delectable Mrs Dolapo Osinbajo and our former VP, Prof Yemi Osinbajo – e kú ara féra kú, èyìn Segun a dára oo (Àamín) and to all members of the Awolowo dynasty, it is indeed a calamitous passing. Be strengthened and surrender everything unto God, for He knows best.
One bitter truth – no matter the amount of sorrow we expressed, no amount of pains and moody we become, the irreversible has occured. What remains for each one of us to bear and face is the hard reality – Segun is gone forever, painfully so. One day, hopefully we would meet at the feet of Christ on resurrection day. That is what the Holy Bible taught us.
Please convey my warmest regards and respect to our revered papa – Chief Obafemi Jeremiah Awolowo in the celestial realm.
Greet mama, your grandma, too. Greet your own dad – egbon Olusegun Awolowo, Sr.
One by one, we are returning to our Creator, as l wrote in late Dan Agbese dirge, just as we came into the world, though not in the sequence we are returning.
O’dabo Segun, omo egbon Segun Awolowo Sr.
To Segun Jr, May Abraham, our Father in faith lead you to the presence of God. May Mother earth be friendly to your body.
Adieu. Sun re.
Balogun (BenPino) writes from Abuja
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