This romance started when he walked in with his Governor, His Excellency Abayomi Oyebanji to see our play – Fajuyi in Lagos
Before this, I had secured his number through my great friend Lekan Ajisafe and had bombarded him with requests for support
Fajuyi was a huge production and it played both Ado Ekiti and Lagos and as such needed much more to put together
So every prominent Ekiti person suffered in my hands as I harassed, bullied, persuaded and pushed to raise the funds.
Senator Michael Opeyemi Bamidele – MOB,, as he is fondly called was one of those
He took my prodding with grace and eventually supported me, and that was that.
The show went very well in Ekiti, and His Excellency promised me that he would make the Lagos show.
On the day of the show, Lekan called me to say that he was on the entourage of the Governor and that they were heading for the Muson venue of the play.
They all walked in on time, and MOB was part of that delegation, which also included two former Governors of the State – gentleman Kayode Fayemi and my big brother Niyi Adebayo.
After the emotional play, which saw me bring up Ironsi and Fajuyi’s sons, who played significant outside roles in the saga, Senator MOB walked up to me.
Splendid Duke, I thoroughly enjoyed the Play and the message therein didn’t escape me.
After Fajuyi, I would stumble on him at various Lekan Ajisafes events, and he would greet me, and I would greet him back.
Then Lekan invited me to the MOB mother memorial in Ekiti, and I jumped inside the plane and went.
At the reception, he came to me and hugged me warmly. I greeted him and mentioned my assignment to him, and he said it was not a problem.
MOB is today one of Nigeria’s most influential politicians. His long stay in the Senate has allowed him to build enviable footfalls and has given him the kind of depth that most can only imagine
I fall apart from him only for his support of his principal, the Senate President, who is on the opposite spectrum of popularity compared to him.
At Lekan 50th , I went to him and he said, Meet me in Abuja and let’s conclude
Prof Ojo Bakare is the Ekiti State Commissioner for Culture and Something. He is also the Festival director
The Ekiti International Theatre Festival is designed to be one of the biggest with over 53 plays scheduled to be shown from all Local Government areas, tertiary institutions and another six major productions from such theatrical experts like Prof Ahmed Yerima and Dr Ikechukwu Erojikwe who just directed the phenomenally successful Bianca
Lekan told me to be on standby for Friday but that he will confirm by Wednesday
I called on Wednesday night and he said come tomorrow.
Kai, I rushed to the airport and had no flight, so I quickly bought the last seat on Ibom Air and landed in Abuja
Meet us at his house by 9pm Lekan says.
By the way, Lekan is the nexus of the festival as he is so far the largest donor and the core of the sponsorship pull leveraging on his huge goodwill and influence
On the way there, I saw a report that my sister Usoro Akpabio has been announced as the MD of the recently formed South-South Commission
I called to congratulate her and mention that I was on my way to see MOB, and she said oh, he was so instrumental for me at the Senate; pls help greet him.
Lekan was relaxed with his pounded yam and efo and a bottle of very expensive champagne at MOB house
I asked for chicken pepper soup and a drink and MOB walked in
We were on his patio all just relaxing after a hard day’s work
The Senate had just reconvened and I had watched him on the news making one of his many submissions
Lekan took me to him and he said – oh Duke of Shomolu thanks so much for coming
I am the chairman of the Ekiti Caucus at the National Assembly and I assure you that I will rally support for the festival among my colleagues
As I sat and watched Fajuyix I realised that you are doing very serious work in this country and you must be supported
I mentioned as much to Gov Oyebanji that night.
Thank you for coming and be sure that we will support your festival.
I thanked him and stood to leave and Lekan said, you must meet the Chairman of Brains and Hammer and I said oya
And then the smallness of this world hit.
Brains and Hammer have been on my radar for a bit now without cracking and this was the chairman just sitting down in front of me
My name is Sheidu, he says to me and I say – wait Abubakar Sheidu, Sbeidu and he says yes and my senior brother, I say I go push u o
Abubakar na my man o and we hug. We are now family, so I push the d Ekiti brochure on him and waka go
I sabi people abi?
Duke of Shomolu
