AVATAR Awolowo and Papa Alfred Rewane’s exemplary friendship embodies the ideals of trust, loyalty, and unwavering commitment to nation-building. Their bond is reminiscent of the biblical friendship between Jonathan and David, and echoes Aristotle’s wisdom: ‘Relationships are made up of men who are good and alike in virtue, for each alike wishes well to each other.’” During the Arogundade (Idiagbon-Cobra) era, Kay was a fiery delegate from Unilorin, actively involved in NANS. Meanwhile, I was honing my activism skills at The Polytechnic Ibadan’s Black Nationalist Movement, eagerly awaiting the lifting of the ban to join forces with like-minded student activists. Our paths eventually crossed, united by our shared passion for justice and our commitment to the ideals of June 12. Fate, coupled with our persistent efforts against the IBB junta, ultimately led to our paths converging permanently. This intersection occurred during our tenure in the Oyo/Osun state public service, where we both worked as accountants. From then on, we leveraged labour unionism and the Omoluabi movement to challenge the status quo and combat maladministration within the public service and Nadeco, ultimately seeking justice for past wrongs.
We were colour-blind to gender, ethnicity and religion as our goal was using progressive ideals in overcoming challenges in nation-building starting from public service and Oodualand with Afenifere core values. As a precursor to the Osun state NULGE and NLC delegate conferences, which aimed to elect the first democratic leadership, Kay played a pivotal role. Although he was neither a delegate or a contestant, he was a silent powerhouse and mobilizer who helped us secure the strategic position of treasurership. This victory served as a springboard for our eventual takeover of the Labour movement in Osun, with Kay later becoming the state president. Kay not only rose to the enviable position of the permanent secretary in the Osun State Public Service and national vice president of Nigeria Institute of Management, during these period he not only ensured that workers/pensioners were paid their entitlements as at when due, he also fought their causes at times against the public administrators governing Osun State/ Nigeria. He used open-door policy and superb negotiating skills to actualise workers’ concerns. Even when things got rough and tough and the boat of workers interest/progressive advancement was about to capsize, Kay stood like a rock of Gilbratar. For instance, in the year 2001, when the goons of the power that be not only slammed some of us into detention centers several times on trumped-up charges, Dr. Oyebade Olowogboyega was attacked and almost murdered in his house at Isale-Osun. He thereafter, had to go underground for him to nurture his fatal wounds. However, the Director of SSS and Commissioner of Police officially wanted not only to know his whereabouts but also find out how the labour agitation was still strong. As the defacto leader then, it was only Comrade Kayode Afolabi that was trusted by the entire workers then to follow me to face the interrogation.
Alhaji Kay was, before he became elected president, the ambassador extraordinaire in the core NULGE leadership of 90s and 2003. A case in point involved Uncle Bola Ige (the first executive governor of old Oyo State, then a top minister under Obasanjo’s presidency). As a result of political scheming and sacking of thousands of workers in Osun State then, we embarked on the publication of Great Nulge News to tackle Papa Bisi Akande’s government to reverse the unpalatable actions. So, Chief Bola Ige, as the godfather of the governor, was to come harshly under our radar in the weekly bulletin. I protested to the editor that the article needed fine-tuning, the editor insisted on publishing it as it was. So there was an impasse. Naturally, in situations like that, we always deferred to arbitrators to break the ice. The lot fell on Kay to help in resolving the matter. Thank God he did an excellent job in us reaching amicable position. This particular act saved all of us in leadership and especially the editor as Uncle was murdered some days after the publication. The National Director of SSS and Inspector General of Police not only invited us to Abuja for intensive interrogation but put our bulletin under scrutiny during the period.
How can I forget Comrade Kayode Afolabi gifting me money to facilitate my family’s relocation to the USA? When we were almost stranded with our visa almost expiring, he single-handedly brought NULGE leadership into Action Group led by Papa Aluko and in turn into Alajobi Group and larger Afenifere of Pa Abraham Adesanya. What of his family caring for my immediate family and my mother-in-law when she felt sick at the time I was still financially struggling in the USA?
Thanks for believing in me and our progressive values. Like Morrison says, every encounter I experienced with you, I walked away better, more enhanced, and enlivened.
Although Allan Clark said, “There are no true friends in politics, we are all sharks circling and waiting for traces of blood to appear in the water” but I can unequivocally say that Alh Aliu KAYODE AFOLABI is in the words of Bible …a friend who is better and sticks closer than a brother.”
As you are now in the golden age of senior citizen and retired from public service, we all know that your enviable capacity is waxing stronger and better. So, I can safely say that there are far better days ahead than you ever left behind.
I am proud to say Kay is indeed a very jolly good fellow!
- Omole writes in from Washington DC, United States
