Lintino! Lintino!! Lintino!!! The Asiwaju Gbogbogbo of Ijesaland, my main man, my personal person, my ‘Egbon’ -how many months? How did our ways cross? Ehm, I think it was in the 80s when men were boys. Then, many of my best friends were from Ilesha, the likes of Prof Okunmadewa-the Lawyer, Papi K Kola Komolafe, Jege - Seyi Ogundipe, Gbenga Olusesi-Omo Iya Oniyan. Femi, omo baba Ologun, the silent millionaire and all the ‘stubborn’ boys of Ilesa. In fact my second home was Ilesha that time, to the extent that I was always mistaken for an Ijesa boy but far from it. Am proudly Ibadan boy, the capital city of the whole Western Region.
At that time, we just maintained a casual friendship because Linton didn’t believe anybody from anywhere is comparable to himself, his ‘boys’ particularly those carrying ‘packets’ of money after him and Ilesha town. Later around Ibadan, we noticed each again particularly at eateries because Yinka went for good things. I would look at him and concluded that was the ‘proud’ Ijesa guy and still posing here in Ibadan, nonsense. Eventually later, we met at the Recreation Club where you would notice him with his clean-shaven, well-oiled head. I would say to myself, this guy was everywhere and making impact, na wa o. Perhaps, not until Dr Akin Oke’s regime as the President of Recreation Club and my humble self as the General Secretary in the 90s that we became so close and we glued together since then.
He was brought in as the Membership Secretary and he made unprecedented success of the job, that in the history of the Club, it was his regime that witnessed the highest number of highly rated members joining the Club, some of whom are here present at this occasion. Little wonder, he became the President of the Club and as usual, did wonderfully well and this was capped by being appointed the Patron of the Club and he has made significant contributions to the growth and development of the Club that today in the South West region, the Club occupies an envious frontline position.
The Balogun of Ijebu Jesha, Ori Ade local government area of Ijesha land is a man of many parts. He has proven to be a colossus, an iconic human being. He is ever reliable, compassionate, loving husband to my sister from another mother, Yeye Olubisi, wonderful father to his children-Faramola, Jojolola, Omoloro and Olatipe, philanthropist per excellence, corporate entity, family man to the core and a stickler to equity and justice to mention a few.
I can expatiate on every adjective I describe him above but for space and other friends to elaborate on same but I will mention one or two things as an example of the kind of a man Asiwaju is. He had for long adopted my children as his and likewise myself. When my daughter was to enter University, she picked Unilag on her own and Economics for course of study. When results were out, she was one point short of making the mark off, so she was not offered admission despite efforts made. We had to obtain a change of university form and she therefore picked U.I. and same Economics. The authorities would not accept her despite meeting the cut off mark and Asiwaju Yinka took it up. He did all he could including ’prostrating’ for his friends until they conceded to admit her to any other department but not Economics. That was Asiwaju as a family man. Very supportive.
In fact, he patronizes my wife for fabrics anytime he needed it and he is one of the best customers my wife ever had. For this, my family remains grateful. Another instance was the period I was having issues with my car and wooow, Asiwaju offered his Mercedes Benz 280S as gift to me. That was incredible and will forever cherish it. Thank you so much. As you celebrate your 70th birthday, me and my family wish you the very best of everything you wish for yourself. Igba odun, odun kan.
Signed:
Chief Waheed Ekun & Family.
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