U will be amazed that I have met this man only three times in my life.

Twice in his expansive apartment nestled in Ikoyi and once during the Afrif event last December where I had gone to hug Mr Governor and he was seated in front preparing to take the stage

This Prince has refused to turn into a frog simply because of his clear understanding of the mores that drive the socio-political structure that drives the establishment that runs Nigeria.

This morning, I was scared again. I have been continually snubbed by those who organise the ever-important Thisday Awards

Year after year, they pass me, leaving me with an ashen face and with people like Osa mocking me.

Edgar, we no see you for awards, and I will reply and say – I dey purge.

So as I scan through the bible of Nigeria print media – This day Style and see the very elegant nominees and winners splashed all over, my heart sinks again

I reached out to Konye, the super brilliant Editor of This day style who took over from fashion Icon Ruth, and she just read my chats and didn’t reply.

I should not have bothered, cos the Prince had sent me my electronic invite with a proviso-RSVP me.

I not only RSVP him but quickly called my sister to lend me money to enter Balogun market tomorrow to spruce up.

Seriously, I had always wanted to write something about the media empire as it approached its 30th anniversary.

The elegance with which it hit the stands, that is, to this day, remains unparalleled.

I remember as a jobless youth rushing to the Onipanu bustop, a good 30-minute walk from my house, to buy Thisday.

I fell in love with the beautiful prose of the writers who became the next generation superstar editors in my books

The first generation being Ray Ekpu, Dele Giwa, Chiji Emuchie, who did his own sacarsm on the pages of sunday Concord and my towns man Ndaeyo Uko who blew up the pages of Guardian with dry morbid sacarsm and the rest who were more than super heroes in my books.

Nduka’s ability to bring together raw talent and create a platform to break tables immediately gave Thisday a front-row seat in national discuss

Weekly, Dele Momodu, Eniola Bello, Segun Adeniyi, Rueben Abati, Shaka Momodu, and Ijeoma Nwaguoguo preached on the pages, forcing me to trek from Shomolu to Onipanu daily to read them.

Then, little stars like Wale Olaleye and Davidson and sometimes contributors like Steve Osuji also made the trek worthwhile.

Just as we were relaxing, Nduka dropped the Style pages with iconic Ruth Osime anchoring, and the trek to Onipanu resumed with gusto on Sundays to ogle at the pages.

Attempts were made to replicate the magic in South Africa and maybe London, but as we could not trek there, the dream died.

This day on Sunday is the premiership of print journalism. For me, it is the cream of print journalism

From the aesthetics, the pull out, the beautiful essays, features, I tell you it is simply the best and I have always believed this, long before I started writing for them

During my long treks to the Onipanu bus stop where the vendors stand was surrounded by free readers, I would call ahead and beg for my copy to be reserved

Simon Kolawole, who still owns the back page, would regal me with sound logic laced with beautiful prose, and Chidi Amuta’s stoic and inflexible but still panoramic viewpoints would capture me, and I would stand there to devour it all.

Then he dropped Arise TV and unleashed the mad Rufai Oseni on Nigerians

Gov Fayose once came on air and ran behind Dr Abati, screaming – I had warned you about this boy.

Arisetv has taken over CNN as the stable channel of choice in most Nigerian offices

It is a major irritant for some elements while a major source of Joy for others, making it a platform that can not be ignored.

So who is Nduka? Me, I don’t know o. Sitting with him on his couch, I see a graying man with inquisitive eyes struggling to pretend to be elusive

Oh, I don’t like to be out there in response to my umpteenth request to pen his biography.

But how can you say you don’t want to be out there when u permanently live there?

Nduka is an issue, a mainstay in the public space and an influential player whose network remains quite expansive and enviable.

He has built a vortex of influence that has seen him cascade through various administrations both military and civilian positioning himself as that point in our national journey where every leader must perch at some point to refill and trudge on

The list of honourees and attendance is a major testament to these influences and positioning.

Both local and international heroes down to the legendary Diana Ross would converge tomorrow to celebrate in unison a vision as seen by one man, the Prince, who has simply refused to be a frog and I will be there, champagne in hand and bidding my tine to steal a kiss from the wonderfully beautiful lady Diana Ross.

Well done sir

Duke of Shomolu