KAYODE OLUWU JNR: WHO DID YOU OFFEND?

This is a very painful story I am about to tell. So, braze up and listen. Kayode Oluwu is one of those dreamers, those people who really believe not only in the system but also on the need for us to create opportunities outside of leveraging on governments and its warped patronage system.

When you listen to him, you begin to wonder if this is a second generation ‘connected’ Lagosian. His late father was in the Government Advisory Council with almost everybody in the state from the highest level to the lowest in power on his speed dial. He even sat on the great Awolowo’s laps as a child that is how ingrained he is to the mainstream ‘Yoruba ethno-political millie’. Na me form that one sha.

Anyways, after coming back into the country, he started off with the baggage wrapping system still being used in our airports. He then went to work for the Lagos State Government in various agencies including being the Project Manager of BRT with LAMATA. He was also instrumental to the Lagos Refrigerated Van Project along other such laudable initiatives like the Lagos City Cabs amongst others.

Seeing opportunities, he decided to go into Marine Transport and built one of the most enviable Marine franchises in the country along the Lekki Corridor which saw the President of Yamaha worldwide attend the launching with my Governor Sanwo-Olu sending a representative.

The business supported the revolutionary water transport initiatives that is taking over Lagos and other corporate and individuals who have sort water transportation as a viable alternative to the chaos of Lagos traffic.

Now the wahala, me I don’t understand the details, you know I no be lawyer or government official. Anything land for Lagos, I no put mouth o. The only time I enter EFCC problem na on land matter since then I move far on anything that has to do with land.

But from what I have heard, the struggle between his landlord and the government on the land got to a head that despite a court injunction that came two days earlier, his N200m business franchise complete with spare parts, boats and all were destroyed at 4 a.m. one morning. All the calls to all the top government officials that morning could not save the franchise which had over 100 people under employment.

The man stood there that morning in his Pajamas to see half-drunk officials gleefully wreck his dream. He sought tears but could not be consoled. All he wanted to do was to support the government with their plans of turning the water into a powerful resource instead of a point for dropping faeces.

As he spoke to me, I could feel his pain. He asked, ‘Edgar, they didn’t even give me notice. The court injunction came at 4a.m. the next day, my life was in rubbles.

I say my brother, ‘Please take heart’. Abi what else can I say at this juncture. This one pass me o. He even strong sef. If na me is it not to tie my naked body on the tractors and they will be using my scrotum to be smashing the boats.

The question he kept asking and which I am asking at this point is, ‘Couldn’t we have found at least a middle ground? If for nothing else but for the economic service, the jobs created and all? I hear the whole thing could have been dismantled in 14 days, so the hurry to pull down is kind of confusing.

Anyways, my advice to him is not to use juju and pursue anybody, he should not be like Fela who carried casket to Dodan Barracks and carry ‘Ebo’ to Alausa. Even though I can provide advice on that one. You know in Shomolu we used to see plenty. I even know the ones that will come from Apata. That one used to have eggs and palm oil, the one that comes from Igbo Igunnu will have kola nuts.

I said, ‘Bro, be an inspiration. Go to the site of the wreckage with a Press crew and proclaim to the world that see where I am now, down. But wait and see me rise again. Tell the whole world that you will build a bigger and better jetty and from the ashes of this wreckage, you will emerge.

He smiled and said, ‘Duke, the thing dey pain me. I say my brother he reach to pain. Na so I nearly die when Banji one stupid boy snatch my girlfriend for University, I almost die. But from that wreckage na Russian halfcaste I hit. So, if I can do it, you sef can do it.

My brother, God will work with you no worries. Even as I console him, the words from a stranger keep haunting me. The young man had said, ‘Dad if this can happen to you a second generation well connected Lagosian, what hope do the common man and the rest of us have?

My brother na that kind question dem dey answer with, ‘the answer my friend, is blowing in the wind….