WHAT DOES THE ACRONYM T.O.S. MEAN TO YOU?

"Life's but a stage....and all its peoples are merely players!"

William Shakespeare.....as he reiterated this vanity called life.

Deep cuts on the scalp....to which I was called to attend as a government medical officer....some 18 odd years ago....in General Hospital Ikorodu. I also issued a medical report. Patient was a certain Mr Monzor Olowoshago, the editor of Oriwu Sun Newspapers who was physically assaulted by thugs sent by a prominent Chief he wrote about....

Deep concern by Mr Benson Enikuomehin, a barrister afraid that a certain influential man might send thugs to assault or kill him....for daring to litigate in favour of some sons of Owode-Ibeshe whose lands were yanked off them....as they were beaten up and tossed into police cells on the orders of this connected man...

Endless conflicts between a certain prominent Ikorodu chief and the sitting Oba as this "important" man routinely issued directives to the natives of the town at variance with the Oba's instructions....

Spirited attempts by concerned persons to settle the said rift strangely resulting in a compromise venue (Ejina) for this meeting as demanded by this chief....and not the Oba's Palace....

Sustained abandonment of Hotel Bobby, a high-brow hotel in Igbobi-Fadeyi axis of Lagos after the death of Bobby Benson, a famous musician and blood brother of this same chief. Legion had it that sires of the late owner of this property were "scared away" by potent threats issued by this lawyer-chief...

Meticulous choice of a prominent junction between Ayangburen Road and Owolowo Street in Ikorodu made, beautifully fenced, flamboyantly decorated and prepared as the burial site of this "illustrous son of the soil" while he was still alive....

Above fact liberally circulated among the towndwellers during the twilight stages of this man's life...

An unforgettable funeral ceremony held at a freshly-renovated and lavish-decorated Ikorodu Town Hall on the demise of this "important" man as it played host to Ambassadors and Presidents...

An Elated Abike Dabiri, the ever eloquent MC at the said funeral...and a reknowned daughter of Ikorodu....stating clearly to all attendees that the deceased wished to be accorded a "private burial" and implored all there present to respect the wishes of the deceased....

The Chosen Triangle where the REMNANTS of this great "son of the soil" now resides now overgrown with weeds, its walls faded and the bust of the current inhabitant....now very dead....liberally doused in thick dust and cob web! The site required a warning from local authorities to people to desist from converting it into a refuse dump!

....common denominator....
....Otunba T.O.S. Benson....former minister of the republic....prominent lawyer....Senior Advocate of Nigeria....now late!

Before some impulsive fellows admonish me "not to speak ill of the dead", I must emphasize that I have tried to merely state the facts without offering any personal opinions on this matter.

And if any person is bracing up to throw words at me, I can only advise that such persons reserve their vitroil and direct their efforts at renovating the tomb of their idol....

....and its apputenances....
.....in his "cherished memory"....
It is an eyesore!
Dr Tosin Akindele is a Lagos-based Medical Practitioner. He had his secondary school education in a boarding school in Ikorodu. He again lived and practised in Ikorodu for about two decades. He is a public affairs analyst and a native of Ikorodu.

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Articles by Tosin Akindele