It was my brother Tayo her hardworking Special assistant who called me early yesterday to invite me to a dinner session with the Honourable Minister in charge of Industry Trade and Investments, Dr Jumoke Oduwole.
Now, I like her. I think she is one of the most cerebral people in this cabinet.
I first encountered her, when I invited the Vice President Kashim Shettima to my Economic Summit last year in London.
She came to represent him and gave an excellent account of herself so it was not a wonder when she got elevated to this position
In this position, she has approached the job very differently. Engaging in very cerebral levels and pushing the envelope to ensure that the much needed FDIs return
It is in this stead that she was hosting an international delegation from across multilateral organisations in the continent to an evening of fun and instrospection at the famous JK Randle Museum in Lagos
I was now faced with two dillemas- first, I was on my way to Shagamu to pay Ibi Sofekuns mum her last respect and secondly and very much importantly, i was at loggerheads with the management of the centre.
The superbly built centre for the curation of yoruba culture and tradition in my estimation has been left in the wrong hands and I have said this very loudly and boldly.
This has led to my being singled out for verbal attacks including earning a moniker – fluke of Shomolu a parody of my working name – Duke of Shomolu
My doubts as to the competence or otherwise of its leadership came to a head with the public clash between it and top officials of the Ministry on issues bothering on less than stellar practices within its orbit.
Even on the eve of this Ministers event, I further heard of some tremors which further worsened my revulsion.
But i had to honour the Minister and attend.
I walked into the spacious opulence that is the musuem. The unkept lawn and quickly disused Swimming Pool doing nothing to remove from its angelic beauty.
As i careened up the escalator, the dirtying walls also not doing anything to disavow my utmost wonderment at the architectural wonder of the facility, i am filled with awe.
The main display area is a thing of immence pride.
The artefacts. The ornaments, the display points all well curated standing imposingly and with pride commanding you to come and take a closer look
The vision behind this must have been impeccable as the whole ambience of the Musuem was such that it would leave you with goose pimples and also with a sense of true involvement not as a Yoruba man but as a Nigerian.
As I walked past the display point, I saw the Honourable Minister sat directly in front of me in a flowing agbada like design
Tayo rushed to hug me and led me to her and she in turn stood up to greet me and welcome me.
I took my seat and the head of the musuen – one Kudu’s ushered in his dance troupe
What followed was utter magic. They came in, in shredded clothes and led by a band also in shredded clothes playing a genre of music that was new to me.
The dance was enthralling, the dancers where nubile, sexy, and lithe.
The cane was very emblematic in its usage. The woosh sounds it emitted throwing me back to those years in Igbobi School two when the teachers releashed in flogging us with the famous ‘Atori’ canes.
This Kudus persons talent in choreography is not in doubt and he showed it very clearly last night.
From there we were invited to dinner.
We were sat in a board room format and were asked to introduce ourselves starting from me.
It was a fine mixture of creatives, international technocrats and public sector experts led by the Hon Minister and MDs of key Parastatals within her Ministry
The highlight of the event was the arrival of the great Funke Akindele whose red dress illuminated the hall.
A three course meal was served and I didnt recognise each of the three items that was served.
I cdnt be bothered though since I refused to eat, what with staff of the Musuem walking to me intermittently and asking – are you the Duke of Shomolu.
It was a beautiful evening, soft music, almost good food but I had to sneak out before you guys start singing ’till we meet again’ on top my body.
Come and beat me !
Duke of Shomolu
