The last time he stepped into the Imalefalafia headquarters of the African Newspapers of Nigeria (ANN) Plc, publishers of the Tribune titles, to superintend its activities was in March 2011. When, a few days, in the same month of March, he did not show up in the office, a few of his staff, who were equally close to him, put a call through to him and his response was that, “I am not feeling fine.
I want to have some rest’’. Then, no one envisaged that the month of March would become a month to dread.
Precisely two years after, and in the same month of March, he marched out of this sinful world. What a tragic coincidence!
From his Ikenne-Remo abode, he coordinated the day-to-day running of the company to the admiration of the workers. Except when mentioned, no one knew that the Publisher was not operating from Ibadan.
In spite of his condition, his humanitarian gesture did not cease. In him flowed the milk of sympathy and kindness. When you approached him for one need, he would willingly offer another after solving that one. Scores of Nigerians from the political arena, journalism profession, academic environment and other spheres of life always thronged his residence soliciting for one help or the other.
It is on record that no one ever sought his assistance without getting it, except he/she did not have access to him. Little wonder someone whispered to my hearing that his sweet memory would forever be entombed under “the pyramid of hope and fulfilment’’.
Even at his own expense, Chief Wole Awolowo granted favour to most people. How would one explain a situation whereby an employee of his organisation approached him as the Publisher and said, “please sir, could you give me a letter to an oil company or a telecommunications company or better still, a bank, recommending me for employment?’’ He answered the employee, “why not?’’. He did this for many members of staff in his companies without any reservation.
Many a time, he had rescued people from their financial predicament, not minding their tribe, religion or ethnicity. He was an Evangelist per excellence, having attended a theological institute. There were occasions that his intervention saved many troubled homes.
Unknown to most readers of the weekly Tribune “Church’’ package, the very popular column, OBA’s LECTERN was the creation of Chief Oluwole Awolowo, an idea he nurtured and continued to nurse even while on the sickbed..
In the acronym ‘OBA’, the O stood for Oluwole; B for Bolade and the A for Awolowo. He maintained this column until he joined the saints triumphant. His workaholic nature made him to write enough sermons that would sustain the column throughout the year.
He was a man who had vision and mission for the Tribune titles, an organisation he led for decades. Many times, he said, “I want to make Tribune newspaper the highest paying newspaper organisation in Nigeria.’’
It was his intention also to relocate the office of the Publisher downstairs, because of the condition of his legs. “You know that I am not getting younger. Climbing this staircase everyday is becoming burdensome. I want to move my office downstairs. That would also afford me the opportunity of being closer to the workers.’’
Judging by the kind of cars he was using which amply reflected his modesty, one would not believe he was the Publisher of the oldest newspaper in the country. Cars of young reporters in the company competed favourably with his.
When a brand new car was offered him in his capacity as the Publisher of the company, he rejected it politely. Rather than accepting it, he made case for senior editors to be given cars that would befit their status. He made sure official cars given to senior management members become their personal property at their point of exit. Due to his benevolence and intervention, he ensured that workers’ allowances were jacked up, and this has been the situation in the last couple of years.
The last two Managing Directors of the ANN Plc, Pastor (Dr) Segun Olatunji and Reverend Sam Adesua, told members of staff at different forums that anytime a proposal for increase in workers’ allowances was tabled before the Publisher, his constant response was, “can the company afford to pay? If the answer is yes, go and pay them, it is approved,’’ was always his response.
His philosophy of life was to bring succour to those who are in need. This, perhaps, informed why his workers showed their appreciation to him when he celebrated his 60th birthday about 10 years ago.
One after the other, they showered encomiums on him, and described him as the man of the people.
Chief Awolowo’s lifestyle in the last two decades was unique. He lived those periods as a true Christian. He wrote and published many books, among which are, An Unbreakable Heritage; Every Saint has a Past, Every Sinner has a Future, and his last book, My Memoirs at 70, a blockbuster and has been selling fast among consummate readers of autobiographies. Though he had planned to launch the book to commemorate his 70th birthday, this he could not achieve due to his triumphant transition to the world beyond. Despite the huge amount expended on his books, he gave out a lot to people as complimentary copies so that they could read and learn a few things from them.
While on sick bed, he was always preaching and counselling people, drawing references to his youthful days which, according to him, was rascally.
Though Chief Awolowo is gone, his footprints and the legacy he left behind will remain indelible for centuries to come. It is the prayer of all and sundry, going by the contents of the messages in the condolence registers opened at his Ikenne residence and the ANN Plc headquarters, that God, in His infinite mercy, will grant him eternal rest.
How best can one wish this man of the people, a humanitarian and philanthropist par excellence a final bye but to tap from the words of the great William Shakespeare which says, ‘Good repose the while’.
“Unbreakable’’, sleep on and rest at the bosom of Christ, because rest is sweet after much labour. You have fought a good fight and won the battle gallantly. Your memory will never be confined to the urn of history, but will be recreated and made to live on in the minds of the innumerous lives you transformed.
Good night.
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