By Muyiwa Adetiba
The Moderates Club honoured one of its own last week when  it hosted Oba Michael Adedotun Gbadebo to a 70th birthday lunch.

Situated on the third floor of an unpretentious, nondescript building opposite St Gregory’s College — its rural setting belies its importance— Moderates Club used to be home to many of Lagos aging socialites and businessmen.

Now it is re-inventing itself by bringing younger, middle aged executives who I guess, have learnt to wash their hands in order to dine with elders.

*Oba Michael Adedotun Gbadebo

Those at the table last week were probably not more than 30. But it was a powerful assemblage of the old and not so old that included a prominent Southwest politician and former Senator, a former Chief of Naval Staff, a couple of retired ambassadors and insurance gurus.

Oba Gbadebo was obviously at home with the gathering as he spent time with many of the invitees. Although the hosts and guests deferred to him in words and mannerism, gone were the sometimes superfluous obeisance and genuflections accorded the olden day Obas.

This set me thinking about the evolution of royalty in Nigeria, especially the Southwest of which I am familiar.The Oba was deified in the past and was an absolute ruler who could do and undo. The caveat to his absolute power however was that he was held accountable for the ills — and good—of the community which included but not limited to famine and harvest, peace and war, epidemic and good health. It meant therefore, that in return for the loyalty and obeisance of his people, he dedicated himself to seeking the good of his fiefdom. Do we find that any more?

These days when Obas openly embrace partisan politics and will openly endorse rich politicians whose antecedents are nothing to write home about? These days when the quest for contracts has compromised their independence (we all know the role of a prominent Oba during June 12).

Rare it is these days to find an Oba who would put the interests of his people above his own and defy an unpopular governor. Rare indeed is an Oba who derives his power from his people and not from a State house.

Is it a coincidence that in the week Oba Gbadebo was celebrating his 70 years on earth, another monarchy was celebrating the birth of one of its own? Prince George, a king in line to the British throne, was being presented to the world after a small, private christening. The iconic picture that was flashed to the world has four lines of British rulers — the Queen, her son Charles, her grandson Andrew, and her great grandson George.

This does set you thinking doesn’t it? The fact that 40, 50 years on, they already know who their king will be. We used to be like that according to our history books and folklores. Ascending the throne of your fore fathers was a duty and a privilege which was largely pre determined. At what time did we deviate?

At what time did we allow politicians and military rulers pick our kings based on expediency? Why did we as a people acquiesce when the least in line was fast tracked to the throne because his face —and his pockets— were convenient to the powers that be? At what point did the installation of a king even of a hamlet become a battle royale of the fittest? When did the crown become cash and carry? When did rogues become princes and princes rogues?

Just a week before, another Oba was celebrating its Ojude Oba which traditionally, is an occasion for the Oba to interact with his subjects. Sitting majestically by the Oba’s side, was the Governor of the state sharing and dividing the attention of the subjects. An indication perhaps, of where the real power lies. How then will a king’s dance steps not match the tunes of his piper?

Despite the largely self inflicted whittling down of royal influence, the king is still respected as witnessed last Friday at the Moderates Club. Is it still possible to use that influence as a moral force to promote values that will yield to a better society? Can Obas be trusted to once again lead by example?

‘LETS GO MISBEHAVE’: A tribute to Yinka Graig

It is, I am told, five years already since Yinka Craig passed on. Yet it seemed like yesterday that the news of his death filtered into our consciousness. Five years that would have entailed many adjustments in the lives of his wife and children. Five years of trying, by his friends and associates, to fill a vacuum left behind by a truly rare breed.
At another time and in another place, I hope to write a full article on him that will detail our relationship from the 70s when our paths first crossed, to that night when I made the last call to him on his hospital bed in the US.

Today, I just want to bring a smile to those who truly knew him by relating a brief experience. Yinka and I lived in Festac Town but we had not seen for a while. Then we met at one of those corporate dinners in Victoria Island. We sat together and shared jokes throughout.

At the end of the event, he said ‘Muyiwa, lets go out one weekend soon and misbehave’. This statement comes to mind many times when I think of Yinka because it encapsulated him —his zest for life and love of fun. He was a multi-talented person who was very comfortable with people irrespective of status.

Anyone who knows Yinka, truly knows him, will know it’s the kind of thing he would say; the kind of thing he would do. I hope his close friends will remember that side of him more often.