Barely four days ago when I mentioned Pa Kola Oyewo in the post of birthday wishes for my friend, Feso Oyebade, I heard he died yesterday. He was 80 years old.
Just like anyone in my generation, I first met Dr. Kola Oyewo on the screen, especially as Ọba Lapitẹ in Ṣaworo Idẹ, and that movie about the death of Sule Egbira.
My brothers and I, till date, can quote all the dialogues of Ṣaworo Idẹ off-hand. And the quotes of Ọba Lapitẹ were the most quoted because not only were they profound, they were quite hilarious as well.
“Ta ni o tu n ṣe ọmọ ale ninu yin?”
“Akọni obajẹ, ika o ṣe tiẹ bẹẹ. Shior!”
“Mi o le jọgẹdẹ, mi o si le ṣe bi ọbọ. Idi ọdan ni iyara ọbọ, ẹwọn ni ilẹkẹ idi ẹ.”
“A jẹki ọmọ ale o ma ba ọrẹ rẹ lọ…Iyan ogun ọdun.”
I can continue quoting all these from a movie I watched around 25 years ago. And I will still end up laughing. You could see in the movies that he was naturally jovial, and I got to confirm that when I finally met him. Twice.
First was at a meeting for Heads of Departments for a diploma programme being run at Ekiti State University, where Dr. Oyewo was the acting HOD for the new Theatre Art Department.
I was representing my own HOD when he breezed in wearing a ‘conductor’ dress, with Feso following him. He briefly took permission from the meeting coordinator, asking Feso to represent him.
And academic issue was raised before he left, and he dropped some words of wisdom laced with humour and we all ended up laughing as he continued to speak. I wonder if the man could say anything without sounding jovial.
The second time was at an evening hangout at Dave Hotel in Ado-Ekiti, while waiting for a friend. Real Madrid was playing with Athletico Madrid, and I heard that voice behind me wishing Athletico victory and making everyone around laugh with how he was dragging Real.
Only a Barcelona fan could do that, so I turned and it was Dr. Oyewo. He was eating suya and having a drink. I said, “Up Barca,” he smiled at me and replied, “Up Barca.” He was with a friend and asked that I, as a Barca fan, should join them before my friend would arrive.
I spent the whole time with him laughing while being at awe in the presence of a man I spent my childhood quoting.
That was the last time I saw him, but I followed his news all over, and I remember he was celebrated earlier in the year.
And now he is gone.
At 80, I think it was a life well-spent. He was a legend even before he passed, and I pray that his soul rest in perfect peace.
Ọba Lapitẹ, ẹ ti pari oro. 🙏
