Hmmm. Pako – omo olole – gone just like that? Sounds hard to believe. It is a lesson for the rest of us.
I knew he was ill but had assumed he would recover, he would be as strong as a unicorn once again. So stupid of me, l forgot the Scriptural injunction – your ways are not Mine way, says the Living God.
Two days before his transition, Otunba Laide Olarewaju (Buster) and l had a lengthy conversation about Pako’s health, and l was reminded he was scheduled to see his doctors by end of April. Nothing, not even the usual body inclination, suggested he would be gone so soon.
My path and Pako’s crossed many years ago. I had arrived Ibadan and God ordered my steps to Agbo’s house on Aribisala street in Oke-Ado – courtesy our mutual egbon popularly called daddy Nike (Mr Adeusi, a relation of the Agbomabiwon). Then friendship evolved first was with Rasheed (Buster), then egbon Kamoru, Pako, bros Motayo, the Fabiyi family (another wonderful family), late Ayo Odesanya (wow another lively person), then the Oredipe brothers – Chief Wale, brother Banjo, bros Gboye, Dr Tunji Oredipe now of WorldBank, Rabbie Jo (now known as Otunba Reuben Famuyibo), Kayus of FRCN then, now VC, not UI of Ilorin but the premier UI of Ibadan, Yomi of defunct Allied Bank. Yes there is Akin tailor of UMC. By end of 1979 our friendship base had expanded. Segun, Jakande, Samadam, Jide part. Of course Biodun, Wole came along.
But Pako-omo olole was particularly unique with his puritanical character and natural humour. For Pako, he had friendly names for each one of us. Before meeting him, l had a pseudo name – BenPino, which came with me from Lokoja. But in his usual good natured mischief, he elongated the pusedo name – BenPino – “kaakai to Lagos”. As for me, l have developed an aggressive friendly natured way of greeting – Pako – omo olole and he too will respond with a moderated aggressive friendly tone – BenPino ooo – kaa-kai to Lagos… He was never ashamed to go an errand for me or anyone else that l know. My last visit to Ibadan, Pako ensured he got me a well secured hotel accomodation for three nights and throughout my brief stay, he was with me and never portrayed any sign of illness.
l am proud to say this friendly trait runs in all our Aribisala friends.
Candidly, l like to believe he took after his late beloved mother iya olole of Ijebu-Ode. His mother took me like her biological son, same iya Rasheed took me too and Ijebu-Ode became my second home. The Agbomabiwon house in front of Adeola Odetola Comprehensive School became a home without notice. May their revered souls find peace in the celestial realm. Ameen.
I recall, the day l introduced Nike to iya ololu, she took likened in Nike and treated her like her daughter. I remember that Sunday morning in 1983, there was a gentle knock at our front door. I opened the door, lo & behold there stood Lekan Idris – omo olole in tears – iya olole is late, he announced tearfully. What? The rest is now story.
Did l say Pako had some element of humor in him? This one readily comes to mind. Well, one day after we had returned from our respective places of work (Pako was a staff of Water Resources Corporation along Oojo/Moniye road); we friends had as usual assembled under abigi, the igi that was in front of Akin’s shop, and baba Kayode Fabiyi had generously ordered that we be served “ono-one round” to flush down the balls of eba plus ewedu and ponmo/meat stew meal we just consumed. Pako stood up with his beer lager in his hand and rhetorically asked – is it possible for person to bear Mr Kenwood? That he had heard of Mr Stone and Mr Speaker before but Mr Kenwood. Of course, we bursted to a prolonged healthy laughter but he insisted he was’nt joking and that the Mr Kenwood is an Israeli man posted to Nigeria. He was never tired of posting hilarious jokes at our gatherings at Molete or at any other places. Pako was always already to provoke healthy laughter with his bag of humour. Sadly we lost him to death.
But who would not go the way Pako had gone? Let us all be consoled with that, especially his wife, iya Ponle. At a time like this, my dear, look up to God your Creator for succour and strength.
That is the little l can say about the character traits of our friend – Rasheed Olalekan Idris – omo olole of blessed memory.
I want to publicly commend Otunba Olarewaju, elders Biodun Obimuyiwa, Wole Akinloye, gentleman Jakande and others for your numerous sacrifices in ensuring that Pako survived the illness. However God knows best. Our lost here is Heaven’s gain.
Let us not mourn too deep.
Pako, if you can hear me from the celestial realm greet all our departed parents, egbons and aburos.
Pako, omo olole, odabo, may Mother Earth be friendly to your body and may God accept your body into His kingdom.
Adieu ore mi. We shall meet again at the feet of Christ.
Bernard Balogun (BenPino) in Abuja.
