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Thursday 22 May 2014

THE STORY OF BODE THOMAS: A LESSON OF RESPECT AND HUMILITY TO LEARN FROM

The story below looks like fairy tale but it was true. It was a story that all of us need to learn one or two things from; especially youth of nowadays that refused to show humility and respect to their elderly people in the name of (OLAJU) developments and the so called human rights.

I will like to emphasis it her that an ‘Oba’ that is an ‘Alaiyeluwa’ need total respect from all his subjects both home and abroad.

A lesson on humility to learn from the story of Bode Thomas. a lawyer by proffesion whom was posted to Oyo as the chairman of Oyo Divisional Council during  the time of Oba Adeyemi , the Alaafin of Oyo (the father of the current Alaafin).

The story goes thus ‘Bode Thomas, yes, the same Bode Thomas, whom the Surulere Street was named after, died on Nov 23, 1953 in a most mysterious manner.

Bode Thomas was born to a wealthy trader, John Thomas in 1918. He, FRA Williams, Remi Fani-Kayode (Father of Femi Fani-Kayode)  attended Law School in London, and they established the first law firm in Nigeria, called "Thomas, Williams and Kayode". The law firm was established in Jankara, Lagos.

Bode Thomas was an excellent lawyer, but he was also very arrogant. Because of his education, he was made chairman of the Oyo Divisional Council at one time, while the King of Oyo, Alaafin Adeyemi, (the father of the current Alaafin) was a mere member!

On Bode Thomas' first appearance in council after being appointed chairman, all council members stood up for him in reference, to welcome him, except Oba Adeyemi,( Oba to to....Kaaabiesi o) who, for cultural reasons, should not show reference to anyone in public, not even his mother!

Bode Thomas rudely shouted at the King "...WHY WERE YOU SITTING WHEN I WALKED IN? YOU DON'T KNOW HOW TO SHOW RESPECT?" At that time, Bode Thomas was 34 years, while the Alaafin was in his 60's. The Alaafin felt very insulted. He said "SE EMI LO NGBO MO BAUN?" (Is it me that you are barking at like that?)

Bode Thomas responded by shouting some English sentences which the Alaafin didn't understand, so the Alaafin just told him... "MAA GBO LO" (continue barking). The confrontation happened on November 22, 1953.
Bode Thomas got home and started barking! He barked, and barked and barked like a dog all night until he died in the early morning of November 23, 1953.

Bode Thomas was the Balogun of Oyo. So, when next you drive on Bode Thomas street in Surulere, remember that man, who cut short his own life because of his arrogance and being haughty. Be Humble! ’

....with :Tunji Dabira Bakare

1 comment:

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