Photo credit: Wikipedia
I thought I was already late for the event. It was supposed to have started at 6 PM but I got the notice at precisely 6:25.
When I got there it was already some minutes after 7.
But to my chagrin, the hall itself was sparsely populated though well arranged. A band of musicians were doing their usual ‘testing, testing’ below the stage.
The stage itself was well decorated with a throne sitting majestically above all other seats.
I was to later realize the band was playing some of their recorded music.
People were entertained with some well prepared snacks and bottled water. Those who wanted other drinks could go to the bar. However, the bar didn’t sell alcoholic beverages.
‘Native dress was sending native dress message’. Only about four of us were dressed in ‘aso oyinbo’.
The recorded music got to,
Buhari lo le se,
Won bu Buhari,
Won soro si.
Sai Baba!
With that I thought I was in the wrong place. But since I was already there, I decided to make the best of what the disc jockey had made a bad situation.
I then noticed some people were dressed in smart Ankara clothes. It reminded me of the days of ‘ko r’ankara ko je semo’. I was to later discover that those in the egbejoda were from Abeokuta.
A few other people were dressed in royal white.
At 9:05, one of the Emcees came to do some small talk.
I dare not forget what one man who came to see the doctor I was sitting with said, ‘Organization in shambles’.
When the royal visitor had still not made his appearance at 9: 35, the program started with Muslim prayers followed by Christian prayers.
The Canadian national anthem followed by the Nigerian national anthem were also rendered with gusto.
The Emcees then decided that people should be dancing while awaiting the august visitor in the month of August.
They had a fantastic repertoire of Nigerian music. It ranged from Yusuf Olatunji, to Haruna
Isola to Kayode Fashola and even Wura Fadaka.
At around 10:50, His Royal Majesty, Ooni Adeyeye Oguwusi Ojaja II and his acolytes made their entry into the hall.
All the people remained standing while he was helped to the throne. The band welcomed him with the Moremi song.
In his entourage were the Olofa of Ofa and Sarki of Arigidi Akoko.
Immediately he made his appearance, I left with the impression that his handlers did not manage the event well.
The myth of ‘African time’, only remains that.
Time is time.
We should not be seen as if we don’t value time!
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