- “I Sing …!
(A collection of poems, midnight whispers)
- “If I Had Wings”
The two books are being launched to commemorate the 80th Birthday of the author – Professor ‘Folabi Olumide “a distinguished gastro-intestinal surgeon, a foremost educator, an enthusiastic musician and a poet.” He was the foundation Vice-Chancellor of Lagos State University [LASU] and his career in medicine spanned over fifty years with stints in several countries in Africa, Europe, North America and Asia (particularly in Saudi Arabia).
Let me make a confession straightaway. I was somewhat surprised when the author accosted me at the Metropolitan Club and informed me that he had a “dangerous assignment” for me on Monday 18th April 2016. However, it was not until a few days ago at the Yoruba Tennis Club that he mischievously disclosed that he wanted me to review the two books he would be launching – one a collection of his poems and the other his autobiography.
Alas, he gave me only three days to accomplish the monumental task. He then proceeded to send me a text which read like a doctor’s prescription – one day to read the poems and one day to read the other book. One book a day and the review would have to be ready on the third day!! When I protested that this was mission impossible, he had a ready riposte: “Are you not one of those King’s College Boys on my table (Table 4 at the Metropolitan Club) who are always bragging that no miracle is too small or too colossal for you to deliver?” I surrendered. Please forgive me for any flaws in my review. I was left with no choice but to write my review of “I Sing!” and “If I Had Wings” before I had read either of them.
I warn you all in advance, that there are quotations in my review which are attributed to the two books. I regret that you may search for them in vain. You should regard it as printer’s devil.
I have captioned my review:
“The Odd Man Out” because Professor Afolabi Olumide in spite of his phenomenal academic achievements combined with his outstanding prowess as a musician (classical and church music) as well as his exceptional international reputation as a surgeon, he never brags about his impeccable pedigree, his unblemished character and above all his well deserved place amongst the top echelon of our society. On the contrary, he is the epitome of humility, kindness, generosity of spirit and self-deprecating good humour. In a society redolent with perfidy, mendacity and duplicitousness, the author is a refreshing example of the perfect gentleman. His moral uprightness is unassailable. Not only is he cerebral, he is meticulous and exceptionally patient without any trace of conceit or arrogance.
He is indeed the Odd Man Out.
To further re-inforce his position as the Odd Man Out, he has been happily married to the same wife Folasade for close to a century!! In his autobiography he has stirred the hornet’s nest of our curiosity by revealing that unlike his contemporaries Femi Ashley-Dejo and Akin Aboderin throughout his sojourn at University of Ibadan Medical School, he had no serious girl friends. All he did was study, play classical music on the piano, sing (he was a soloist), eat and sleep. Even back then he was the Odd Man Out!!
I quote: “Yet, all three of us [Femi, Akin, and me] were close enough to be recognised as the three musketeers. While both of them had girl friends in Queen Elizabeth Hall, I didn’t have any serious relationship.”
Both the author and his charming wife have conspired to embarrass us all by devoting their entire lives to the practice and propagation of solid family values – honesty, hard work, contentment and the steadfastness of their faith in the Almighty. They have insulated themselves from envy, ruthlessness, wickedness and selfishness. They are truly the Odd Couple.
To further worsen their case, they dote on their sons and daughters in law and have adorned them as gems. They leave us speechless. We shall wait till the end of today’s festivities with the full assurance and confidence that neither Yomi Badejo-Okusanyanor Tunde Oduwole, Dolapo Olumide or Tunji Fadahunsi will grab the microphone to denounce their wicked mother-in-law or fastidious, grouchy and grumpy (perhaps cantankerous) father-in-law. It is self-evident that the love and affection of Professor and Mrs. Afolabi Olumide towards their in-laws have been reciprocated in equal measure.
We live in a society in which everyone is busy chasing one title after another – High Chief, Professor (Chief); Senior Evangelist/Genera/ Overseer; Chief Commander; President-General; not to mention Asiwaju, Olorogun, Bashorun, Balogun, Areetc or Yeye this or Yeye That. Our author and his wife are not interested in any of those appellations. How very odd. By the author’s admission, he is actually a prince:
“My mother was an Ajose, a prominent Lagos royal family. I just don’t believe in calling myself a prince. Many of my cousins call themselves princes and princesses. I have the Egba, Lagos and Sierra-Leonean blood in me.”
How very odd.
As for national honours, they are pretty cool about it. In his book which I am yet to read, Professor ‘Folabi declares that he is perfectly contented with the awards bestowed on him by both CMS Grammar School and Igbobi College. I gave up reading the book when I discovered that the respective school songs of those institutions are published among his collection of poems and in the autobiography.
How very odd!! Also, as confirmation that he was the archetypal odd man out, we have his own affidavit and confessional statement: “Other students were outgoing and popular. I was a totally different breed.”
To be continued
J.K. Randle
