By Musbau Rasak
On Friday, 9 May, 2014, I lost my father. I would not like to bore you with the drama that ensued before the news was broken to me in my hotel room in Osogbo.
The Gazelle News.com crew was in Osogbo to shoot a documentary and we were in the process of going for an interview when the news was eventually broken to me.
After crying my eyes out, yes, I cried. Although, Rosco, as we called him, died at the seemingly ripe age of 92, his death still came as a shock for me, I was not prepared for it, hence I’m still missing him up till now. Time has not been able to heal the pains.
Comrade Idowu Obasa
I managed to inform my contacts that I lost my father and then the Idowu Obasa intervention.
He called me, condoled with me and in his usual witty manner told me that my father did not die young but at a very ripe age. In fact, his call lifted my spirit and a little bit of laughter came to my face.
I went for the burial and came back on Sunday. I was planning to go back to Osogbo to complete my assignment. I called him and informed him on my movement and he insisted I see him before I go back to Osogbo.
I went to him, he asked about the burial plans and I told him. He just handed over a sealed envelope to me, cracked some jokes with me and I left.
It was not until I got home that I checked the envelope and saw a cheque for a five figure sum, well beyond my expectation.
That’s Idowu Obasa for you, always kind, ready to share your burden if not practically carrying your burden on his shoulder.
Obasa is firm but always humane in his approach. He will.sit you down, ask for your opinion on issues juxtapose it with his own and he always listen to superior argument even though most of the time, you just can’t beat him because his intellect is high and like my friend Bamidele Johnson submitted, he has a super sharp brain.
Personally, Comrade Obasa is only one of my three father figures who intermittently asked about the welfare of my family and how I’m coping with two wives. The other two are: High Chief Enock Kolapomoye Olorunfunwa (EKO) Ajiboso, two time Chairman of Agege Local Government and former Commissioner for Agriculture and Cooperatives in Lagos State and of course, Senator Ganiyu Olanrewaju Solomon, former Minority Whip of the Senate.
Whenever I called him, the first thing he will always ask is “awon eleha nko literary meaning how are your wives and most often than not, personally send money to them through me.
Obasa is a Master of the Game in mentoring entrepreneurs. He will sit you down and give you practical lecture on how to run a successful business, indeed he’s the man with the Midas touch. Most of the time, after lecturing you he will start you up financially and materially and you will always have his back when you run into problems.
Are there more single employer of labour than. Obasa among his comteporaries, pardon my hyperbole, but I doubt it if you consider the number of people working in Golden Chance Lotto direct and indirectly; employees of Winners Golden Bet, direct and indirect, workers in the Bradford Properties, those working.in his various hotels and farms among others.
Obasa is an oga who is at home with his workers at all times. He makes it a point of duty to attend their social functions, he is not the one to see his workers as subordinates who he cannot move closer to.
During the naming of my first child, the event was almost over in the night when I was called that someone wants to see me. Lo and behold, it was Comrade Obasa as our General Manager then in The News/PM News in company of Adedeji Beecroft. As usual, he is ever ready with the package. Sofiyyah is in her. final year in the University now but my oga.
I celebrated my 40 birthday in 2008, oga was one of my major sponsors and he was physically present on the day.
He does not forget things, his super sharp brain always at work. When my first daughter was graduating from the Quranic school, he couldn’t come but his usual package reached me on the day of the event and during the naming ceremony of my last child, his package came not for me but for my wife.
On the street of Abiodun Shobajo in Agidingbi where he lived before moving on to another residence, residents still feel his presence years after he has left.
I paid a visit to the street during the lockdown and I saw youths and adults in a happy mood and I was told it was Obasa that sent palliatives to them.
I was told that since he left, he has not failed to send money to the youths to celebrate their carnivals every year. That’s vintage Obasa – A man of the People to the core and not one that plays to the gallery.
But of course that does not mean he suffers fool gladly. If you’re trying to be smart.wkth him, he knows and he will put you in your place.
His two terms as Chairman of Onigbongbo Local Council Development Area still ranked as the best in the council, he laid a solid foundation for coming administration after him, building the council from the scratch and making it one of the best in the state.
Obasa is the only Nigerian politician who quits politics at the height of his political power and influence, but that is Buoda Idowu for you.
If he feels he is not getting value for any venture, he quits.
As I conclude this, my prayer is that Almighty Allah will continue to strengthen you and your family. Thank you for being there always. Thank you sir.
Happy birthday to an enigma.
Comrade Idowu Obasa
Below, sir, are the birthday messages culled from the Facebook by your boys and some of your friends:
Happy birthday sir. You are indeed a rare God’s gift to mankind. May His blessings continue to abide in you now and forevermore – Adeyemi Adebanjo
Happy birthday to the man of the people, philanthropy by passion. Wishing you more blessed years returns – Taiwo Olamilekan
Many congratulations to the man of the people My own Personal Person More glorious years ahead my Chairman Omo Mummy – Lanre Odubote
Happy birthday to Broda Idowu Osuolale,GM, Chairman, baba Kanyin, Golden chance Oloriebi, winners bet baba alaye,,aguntasolo to wa on point, baba olowo bambam👊👊👊🤙… kemi ola ogun ninu Ayo, alaafia ati emi gigun, Amin! – Kemi Chidi-Ogbolu
Happy birthday 🎂🎈🎉 to my worthy boss. The man of honour, I will continue to appreciate you. Many happy return sir
Hon. Idowu Osuolale Obasa is a super and great human resources manager who usually takes his time to understand and tap intellectual potential in every employee irrespective of your past. I appreciate a great man of honour
– Oyewole Gafar a.k.a Baba Lamin Lamin
Happy birthday sir. You’re a worthy leader – Oluwaseyi Oduyela
He’s a great man. He was the man behind my transfer to Abuja office in 2000, in order to help save my job…he was fully aware of the plot to kick me out of the company. G.M believes so much in me and what I can do. I salute you sir and happy birthday – Femi Ipaye
Whether you called him GM/ID/Mr. Obasa….you spoke (and still speak) of a man who inspired confidence, never mind the seemingly tough look. You’d better have a good, sound, logical reason when he asks ‘why’? If you earn his trust, you can do no wrong. Ever happy days, boss – Dotun Adekanmbi
He’s the only one I know who can doze off in a meeting and not lose track of the discussion. Super-sharp brain – Bamidele Johnson
Happy birthday to a BOSS with a large heart. He brought succour to many distraught souls. God’s hand will continue to rest upon him. He will reap his kindness here on earth and thereafter. The light of God will continue to shine upon him and every form of darkness will be destroyed in Jesus name.
Happy birthday to my Oga – Femi Anjorin
Have a great birthday sir. May the years ahead be filled with joy and happiness. Llnp – Rafiu Salaudeen
Happy birthday to a great man – Adedeji Beecroft