By Frank Meke
On Tuesday, April 25th, Ebenezer Soji Amusan unveiled his book, Travel Agency Operations in Nigeria: The Historical Perspective . I was on duty as the compere of the event and just wanted to get it done quickly and disappear.
I had left my Surulere home early to avoid the Lagos' notorious hold-up and to which is being criminalised by Lagos traffic merchants.
When you are invited to an event by aviation greats, teachers and mentors such as Soji Amusan, a man trained by the Germans, you have no choice but to shape up.
Needless to keep you distracted, I walked into the beautiful boutique Golfview Hotel in Ikeja, and as expected, Soji Amusan was already seated.
We waited. Lagos traffic was on my mind, and I knew we had to find a way to keep this book outing in focus as key guests may arrive late.
These are usually unseen problems for masters of ceremonies as they need to navigate carefully before early birds who may have scheduled other events for the day would start shifting uncomfortably on their seats.
I walked close to the window of the hall, situated on the third floor, and was soaked in the beauty of the golf course across the road.
I was joined at the free view point by Soji Amusan, and we discussed the rising interest in golf in Nigeria and the demystification of golf as a game for the rich only.
Now, I am getting my attention shifted away from the business of the day, but in truth, I am trained to see a story in everything, such as the baking of this piece.
Back to the book affair, guests trickled into the hall with some family surprises for the celebrant and latest author in town, Soji Amusan.
Chairman of the occasion and Amusan's personal-person, Elder (Dr) Gbenga Olowu sauntered into the hall, a clear sign to flag off the event. The guy got some swag and his attire, some good money well spent. How do I know? I ran my trained eyes from his shoes to his wristwatch and all.
I did my costing. The microphone gave my voice a different slant, and I prayed away the distraction. Gbenga Olowo invited to open the business of the day, simply became aĺl of a sudden a comedian, seriously! No one knew he had such talent, i didn't know.
He knew everyone in the hall, from the Royal father of the day, Oba (Barrister Femi Ogunlewe, former spokesman of defunct Nigeria Airways, the Amusan gang of Femi Adefope, Yomi Jones, and ofcourse, the Aviation Round table community.
One face I cherished growing up as a reporter, Mrs Adeola Yesufu, formerly of Air France, was part of the crowd. She encouraged me while finding my feet as a travel reporter in my days at Vanguard newspapers.
Yomi Jones did too, indeed, as Lufthansa Airlines' boss in Nigeria at that time, he offered me an all expense paid trip to Germany, Frankfurt to Berlin, and I can't forget Lufthansa technics.
Back to the beat, Dr Gbenga Olowo, as chairman of the occasion, must flag off the event. I was afraid he would stray off the script, and I was dead right.
These guys, the big boys of yesterday's aviation school, Soji Amusan, Yomi Jones, and Gbenga 0lowo, are certified humour merchants.
In their midst and company, you don't need the likes Ali Baba to get your eyes streaming with tears of joy. On this day, I couldn't hold back Gbenga Olowo as he went from one table to another, poking fun at the guests, many who were old pals and must have gotten used to the below the belt home made banter, exclusive to these old young men.
Amusan is in his eighties and must have infested the team. Gbenga Olowo was 70 years old last year, and Yomi Jones, ever looking boyish, must be on the 7th floor.
Femi Adefope, too, though not an aviator by profession, but a trained forensic expert, turned travel trade guru, made up the team. Now, I know why these gentlemen kept wrinkles at bay! They can poke fun at anything, even Nigerian aviation.
However, behind those facades of humour and comarade lies fearless and courageous strongmen. In between them, these aviators had seen the best of the industry, were trained by the best, and retired from the wings with their integrity intact.
I have had several close encounters with these guys, and in truth, I know their weakness, the love for the Nigerian aviation sector, and, in particular, travel trade.
Gbenga Olowo as President, Aviation Round Table, powers towering influence to shape best aviation practices, particularly on policy matters.
Femi Adefope was the most fearless and fiercest, pound to pound critic of government and foreign airlines oppressive treatment of Nigeria Travel Agents in his time as President of National Association of Nigeria Travel Agencies (NANTA).
He wears those custom-made smiles, but behind the measure of friendliness is a tested lion, a fighter for the good of the industry. Some people, however, note that old age is beginning to tell and including maybe the huge portfolio influence and investment in the downstream of the aviation sector and tourism.
On this Tuesday, his presence in the hall was whispered into my ears, I invoked my powers as the compere of the event and got him standing to a rousing ovation from those who should know.
He cornered me afterwards and warned me in his usual bantering style from troubling his retired spitfire tongue. Yomi Jones was a revelation with his ladies' killer demeanour.
Gbenga Olowo poked him endlessly and dubbed him the "liquidator"of Nigeria Airways. It was a joke, though, the type that could trigger off a civil war among competitors but not from these age long pals.
Trust me, I robbed in the salt and balm but came to the defense of Yomi Jones, who as the last Managing Director of Nigeria Airways before its liquidation by government, tried and made spirited efforts to revive Nigeria Airways.
Edmund Abayomi Jones didn't know he was up against Nigerian power brokers who really wanted Nigeria Airways dead and not back in the air.
I was with Yomi Jones when the stop work order on Nigeria Airways came from the hunters in Abuja. Yomi Jones wanted to fight the clique but thought otherwise. Jones is alive today because he kept his emotions in check.
And to the subtle response to the dark days of Nigeria Airways, he likened Nigeria to a naked man, who struts around, pretending to be clothed.
Jones spoke in tongues, and for the sake of those who must appreciate our stupidity on how not to manage our immense national resources, Jones explained that the abundance of our gifts and mercy of God, remains our "coverings" which has kept us from shame and disgrace.
Gbenga Olowo poked in with a hard bite and wondered why Nigeria could not support Air Peace as a flag carrier and save capital flight out of the country.
I could sense the coming of tsunami from these accomplished Nigerian aviation greats. They are bold, experienced, and fearless. I had to stop the warm-up and let the Amusan book contribute to the knowledge gap in the sector.
These guys know their way around our aviation industry, and we can not pretend we don't need their help. If you want to know more about Nigeria Travel trade business, the history of Nigeria Aviation, and about Ebenezer Soji Amusan, go get a copy of TRAVEL AGENCY OPERATIONS IN NIGERIA; HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVES.
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