By Sunday Adepoju
The birthday song “For he is a jolly good fellow…” aptly captures the qualities of the quintessential enigma whose birthday is today. Today is, indeed, significant as the boy (back then) journeyed to this world.
When the boy arrived, Ifá said he would be great; Òpè pointed out that the world would celebrate him. The boy of then has now transformed into a man of great honour and he is now being celebrated today.
Uncle Sayo Alagbe is an example of Omolúàbí; he is an epitome of knowledge and philosophy. One hardly leaves his presence without gaining a new thing in terms of life and knowledge; no, it’s not possible. He has special angles to special issues.
Uncle Sayo Alagbe is a counsellor par excellence and has lifted many burdens away from people.
Apart from being a thorough-bred journalist of high repute, he is still a ‘ generalist’ – he knows something in everything. Talk about philosophy, education, culture, religion, politics, sports, name it; he is there to have a robust contribution to the issue under discussion.
Uncle Sayo is a lover of youths. In fact, he is youthful and useful. I have heard testimonies about the man of valour and honour from the old and the young alike.
Without being hyperbolic, I have not heard a negative comment about him from people. He is simple, but not a simpleton.
He is a journalist, a writer, a poet, a philosopher, a composer, a film producer, a teacher, a culture exponent, the list is not exhaustive. He uses Yoruba as if he read Yoruba. No, he didn’t. He studied in the social sciences and education. My surprise, up till now, borders on how he gained those insights of his.
He has authored, among others, the following books: “Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi III: His Life, History and Philosophy”; “Ìjálá Ògúndáre Fóyánmu: Ìjìnlè Ohùn Enu Yorùbá”; “Gani Adam: Leadership Challenge”; “Lérè Pàímó: A Quintessential Thespian”; “TimoToye”; a collection of Yoruba poems; 1000 Yoruba proverbs, book of proverbs, among other scholarly works. So many academic researchers working on Yoruba culture have thronged in office for consultation and information gathering.
The media guru has worked with the defunct African Concord, The Comet, among others and established his consultancy firm, Timfred Communications Ltd.
He is a close pal to Iku Baba Yeye, Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi; Chief Gani Adam, Aare onakakanfo of Yoruba land; King Sunday Adeniyi (King Sunny Ade); present Chief of Staff to the Governor of Oyo State, Chief Bisi Ilaka; Barrister Sikiru Adewoye; Lawyer Ayoola Ajayi; Lawyer Fagbemi SAN; Justice Atilade Ojo Rtd; Gen Oladayo Popoola Rtd; Late Oba Samuel Adegboye Osunbade; Chief Wale Ojo Lanre, Director General, Ekiti State Culture and Tourism; Mr Tunde Busari, Assistant Editor, The Nigerian Tribune.
Others are Alhaji Rasaq Adedigba, former MD, “The Comment” & Deputy Director, Bureau of Enterprise; Mr Olayiwola Adeniji, former art editor of The Comet (now The Nation newapaper). The list goes on and on…. Àwon eléyìí mò ènìyàn gan-an!
Join me in celebrating this enigma, role model, Omolúàbí personified, teacher, journalist, writer, editor, and culture exponent as he celebrates his significant birthday today 8/8.
Congratulations, Sir!
Igba odun, odun kan ni lase Edumare!
Sunday Adepoju writes from Ogbomoso.
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