The first lesson I learned was that my children love money. The 50k price money drove them into a frenzy of creativity.
When I saw my first deliver a homily in Ibibio, his heritage and a language I have never heard him speak, I knew I was in trouble.
The rest went out of their way to deliver stupendous performances which attracted over 100 votes from people.
Let me quickly announce that there is no winner. They all won. They all showed their true love for me and in that threw up creativity, talent, initiative, and confidence that shows me that they are almost ready.
In this wise, all of them will get N50, 000 each for their efforts and in my true appreciation and reward for their love.
Another thing I learned was the huge goodwill I have garnered in the last few years. Even though I had begged to be spared calls, they kept coming. My battery kept running down.
Everybody called. From sitting Governors to Ex Governors and presidential candidates. Captains of Industry Bank directors, Actors, good people, and even my Maiguard.
It was a festival of love. Me I am a hard man so he no weak me. But at some point, I won’t break down when Patrick Doyle called to speak long English.
The Thanksgiving in the church was solemn. As an Elder in the church, my chair is reserved for me. The exact chair my mother sat in as Snr Deaconess. The songs brought back her memories and that of Erelu and I cried. I cried and the people left me to cry
We are a humble family. My father came to Lagos in a bolekaja and met my mother and between them gave birth to five of us
He used to say we are a perfect family of seven. He did all he could do for us within the limitations of his capacity and our mother was a hero. But we were simple and humble
We were not rich and we were below the middle class but we were a happy lot.
So when I sat there as the new Head of the family in our family church, a legacy my parents willed to us, and watch how my brother Ernest and my son-in-law Etim have transformed the church, I bow down in thanks.
The church is vibrant. It’s hot and it’s expanding. From mere hands as a musical instrument during my father’s time, we now have enough instruments to back up Andre Bocelli.
I promised a smart TV last year, God will bless us and we will do it.
Then the calls from my nephews and nieces and children from all over the world started pouring into the church’s system
From Canada to Qatar to the US and UK the family had expanded to the point that my father will be smiling in his grave in Anyiam Nsit.
Then it was time for the Afang Fest. My mummy Senator Giwa had offered to host and you know she doesn’t joke. The Afang was supple, the people couldn’t hold back.
We were over 30 from Kola Abiola to Alibaba to Emeka Okpara, Olisa Adibua to Mudi to Austin of anchor to my brother Ohimai and uwem Whyte and makinde and Abbey to Bayo to Lami and Chike it was wonderful and except Austin and Kola, everybody wore shorts.
The girls came to dance to add flavour and I must say I really felt like a king.
My BGL, Homies and Command Alumni group exploded in greetings and at some point, I had over 900 what’s app messages
Then I unveiled a mural with me and my friends to be hung in my house and then I got home only to meet Ayo my brother lead the closest in my estate to a last-minute party.
Goldfinger to super influential business woman with Lara the beautiful wife of Ayo and the one I call Police very kindhearted and beautiful and then my brother Kayode appeared.
Tapa and wife called in and then I said, pls make I go sleep.
Then His Excellency The Gov if Kwara State – called to wish me well. I have humbled cos my incoming Gov of Akwa Ibom Akan Udofia had called in the morning to pray for me and even though my Gov Udom didn’t call I was happy.
My brother and one of the most cerebral politicians in the South-South – Ini Ememobongwho is Akwa Ibom State Commissioner for Information called in to say he didn’t know and I said send the Afang.
Finally, at 12 midnight, my great brother Kayode Olowu called in to say, I was waiting for it all to die down….
Duke of Shomolu
