(Late Gbemi Oguntula)
By Biodun Latilo
Hearing about your departure today flooded my memory and I’m overwhelmed. I’m one of your proteges, one of those you mentored.
It all started in 1993 when I was searching for where to do my one year Industrial Training (IT) which is a prerequisite for Higher National Diploma (HND). Mr Adebayo of National Orientation Agency (NOA) Oyo State made contact with a friend at NAN Iyaganku, Ibadan and I was accepted.
I was attached to “Oga mi Oguntula” as I fondly call him. We went to different assignments and I became fond of him. One day, I told him I’m a good driver and that I can drive him around and he did not hesitate as he just gave me the key and said, “Abey, o ya wa drive.” My diving him around town earned me so much freebies (lunch) like countless trips to amala joints like “Ahlaja Inastrate” Cutural Center, on Mokola hill and another one inside Oyo state Sectariat.
By the time I was done with a year IT, my relationship with oga oguntula had gone beyond official, it was like he adopted me as his junior brother. I followed him to family functions and started knowing his acquaintances. Members of his nuclear family accepted me to the point that his name became so popular in my household without them knowing him physically. I was with him when he bought Damilola her first bicycle at Ekotedo.
Our bond became so strong that when I was jobless after my National Youth Service, “oga Oguntula” wouldn’t mind me following him around. I became his driver, secretary, companion and friend. When he was transferred to Lagos, I was with him in his official residence in Festac. We traveled to Lagos together every weekand. He got my driver’s licenses for me with his connection in Road Safety. He was instrumental to getting my International passport. Oga Oguntula always get things done. When he was transferred to Abeokuta, I was with him. At a time, inside Ogun State Police Commissioner’s office, he asked me if I wanted to join Nigeria Police Force during one of it recruitment excercise. He was shocked of my quick and blunt response not to join. He became my employer because apart from being responsible for my feeding when I’m with him, he always give me money after each trip. Oh, God used Oga Oguntula to touch my life at strategic moments.
2001, one weekend, Oga Oguntula called me and said, “Abey, wa ri mi ni’le.” Without hesitation, even though that particular day, I said I will not go anywhere because I just came back from U.S Embassy in Lagos where I just got denied visa. But because it was Oga Oguntula that called, his calling me is too important to me to ignore despite not knowing what for. I got to his house and he told me that Lagos State Water Corporation want to employ graduates for its PSP program and that he had already submitted my name. He told me I will have to go to Lagos on Monday for the recruitment interview and he gave me N250 for transport. With the help of God through the connection of Oga Oguntula, I got my first ever job after which I got another job in Federal Poly, Offa Kwara State. I got married and became physically detached from my Oga Oguntula. He was happy for me because now he too see himself being fulfilled seeing me become a man. My family finally relocated out of Nigeria which limited our relationship to phone calls.
God used him so much to touched my life in so many ways that time will not permit me to pour out here on this platform. I pray that the Lord will grant you eternal rest Oga mi Oguntula. Rest on.
Good night. Thank you for allowing God to use you to touch my life in an unforgettable way. May the good Lord be with auntie Sola your wife, Damilola, Ayokunmi and your entire family.
Adieu!
(Latilo writes from the US)
About Flowerbudnews
Established by Hon. Biola Lawal, a former Acting Managing Director of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), FLOWERBUDNEWS is a consortium of active veteran journalists, experienced Multimedia broadcast experts and image makers.
We are drawn from both public and private sectors of Nigeria’s media Industry with a common determination to enhance the practice of responsible journalism..
Lawal, on his part, is also a former Honourable Commissioner for Information,Youth, Sports and Culture of Osun state, his home state.
Biola Lawal had also successfully served two tenures as Press Secretary to the ECOMOG Force Commander in Liberia during the Liberian and Sierra Leone Civil wars. He was an outstanding NAN Defence and War Correspondent for many years.
The retired NAN Acting Boss holds the honour of being the only journalist that served two terms on the ECOMOG international assignment due to his high professionalism and decency.
He is a Co-Author of the book; ECOMOG, A BOLD ATTEMPT AT REGIONAL PEACEKEEPING! Edited Mrs Magaret Voght. The book remains the most. factual, detailed and authentic book on the ECOWAS sponsored ECOMOG Military operation.