Alhaji Lateef Kayode Jakande (LKJ) was the very popular Governor of Lagos State between 1979 and 1983. Before then, he was (and remained) an unwavering and assiduous follower of late Chief Obafemi Awolowo (Awo) with whom he was imprisoned following the treasonable felony trials. He was a journalist, writer, editor, publisher and proprietor of the John West titles. In the wake of Awo’s passage in 1987, LKJ was largely seen as the heir apparent to the progressives stool which Awo led – even as the shoes were considered over-sized. His only contender was Chief Bola Ige (Cicero of Esa Oke) who was Governor of old Oyo also in the second republic. Ige was admired for his intellect and oratorical skills, and although LKJ was Governor in the (then) nation’s capital, the Cicero governed from Ibadan, the melting point of the politics of Western Region. He was their son and also very successful as Governor. But LKJ had this mien, carriage, sobriety, and unspoken authority that he was generally regarded as Baba Kekere; small Awo, or more appropriately, Awo’s successor. Both LKJ and the Cicero are now great men of the past. The former died on the 11th Of February, 2001, at the ripe age of 92, while the latter was assassinated in despicable and highly suspicious circumstances on December 23rd 2021 while serving as Attorney General of the Federation. He was 71. May the good Lord bless their gallant souls.
Here in Benin City, and more specifically, in the house of General Samuel Osaigbovo Ogbemudia (1932 to 2017) – the action Military Governor of old Midwest State and last civilian Governor of defunct Bendel State, statesman par excellence – there was also a Baba Kekere. Like LKJ, he was a loyalist who fought the titanic electoral battles of the 1983 when Ogbemudia ousted the populist Governor of the State, Prof. Ambrose Folorunso Alli. Like LKJ, he was also a journalist who made waves at the Herald Newspapers in old Kwara State (now rested). He deployed the awesome power of the Press at the Observer Newspapers to which he switched, to welcome and rally support for the new Governor of Bendel State in 1983. But the administration was short-lived.
Just as Awo had the opportunity to reward LKJ’s loyalty in 1979, when Ogbemudia became the Federal Minister of Labour and Productivity in 1993, he remembered and appointed Iro Omorodion his Personal Assistant, a role he continued to play, in and out of public office, till the last days. He was appointed member of Edo Line Board and also served as Vice Chairman of Egor Local Government, whilst serving as the General’s P.A.
Iro had the gift of good health and always looked and also behaved younger than his age. He related with all around him as equals, though in keeping with tradition, he got his due respects; while all the General’s staff called him Pa Iro, few (including this writer) called him Hero!
Iro extended his loyalty to the General to his Wife, Clara Ogbemudia, whom he unmistakably called Mummy; and also extended filial love to all the children who he saw as his.
When last we spoke, he was heart-broken, not from the failing health he had complained about, but from the sudden death of his sister. “When did my wife die that my sister should follow”? he queried. I consoled him and requested to be informed of her burial obsequies when out. Instead of that, I was informed few weeks after of his own passage. Life’s irony!
As our own Baba Kekere takes his final bow this weekend, we are reminded of the immortal words of James Bailey, the 19th Century English Poet, who wrote that –
We live in deeds, not in years;
In thoughts, not breathes;
In feelings, not in figures…
He most lives, who thinks most;
Feels the noblest;
Acts the best.
May the passionate soul of Iro Omorodion, and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in perfect peace.
Dr. Eugene Okolocha was Special Assistant to General Ogbemudia from 1993 to 2017.
