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!
