By Babafemi Ojudu
I mourn the loss of a dear friend and fellow worshipper at Fela Anikulapo’s shrine, Mallam Abdul Okwechime.
He was a brilliant journalist with a broad love for Nigeria and Africa.
Abdul was always full of life, exuberant, and joyous. While many of us who were drawn to Fela in our early years eventually moved on to other pursuits, Abdul remained steadfast, continuing to worship after Fela’s demise at The New Shrine run by Femi and his siblings.
Among our co-worshipers then were Kanmi Ishola Osobu, Beko Ransome-Kuti, Soji Omotunde, Chuzy Udenwa, Richard Mofe- Damijo, Dede Mabiaku, Dele Morakinyo, Femi Falana, Lanre Arogundade, and many others who were journalists and lawyers attracted to the radical musician. Both Soji and Chuzy later found another alter in Christianity as they became pastors.
We all had VIP access to the shrine then and sat front row, inhaling the involuntary smoke for many years.
Abdul was an exceptional reporter and writer, whose pen danced on paper in a rhythm as sweet as a maestro’s fingers on a piano. He was a genius, a talented individual who prioritized his art above all else.
The cutthroat competition of life did not interest him. His focus was solely on journalism, music, radicalism, and social and political struggles. He simply wanted to live, love and contribute to the birth of a democratic and great nation.
During the oppressive rule of the dictator Sani Abacha, Abdul collaborated with the late Inspector General of Police, Alhaji Mohammed Dikko Yusuf—also a worshipper at Fela’s Shrine in the 1970s—to oppose Abacha. I recall that he would secretly meet with journalists to provide insight and hard-hitting interviews with Yusuf, the first and only radical police IG Nigeria has ever produced. The party he and MD established was the only one out to challenge Abacha when all other parties morphed into one to present Abacha as their sole candidate in what Chief Bola Ige referred to as ‘five fingers of a leprous hand’.
Both worked assiduously to keep Abacha out of Nigeria’s political space until he expired.
As you rest in peace, Abdul, we can only express our gratitude for your humble contribution to the birth of democracy in Nigeria and advancing the cause of humanity. Rest well, dear friend and brother. Your infectious smile will forever remain indelible in my mind.
**Ojudu, a senior journalist and former Senator, writes from Abuja
