Before we consign Bolaji Dawodu to history books – By Femi Akintunde-Johnson
AND THE MAN DIED…
In a terse, pain-laden single sentence, by a family member, said to be his son, Kehinde Dawodu, the death of ace director, producer and writer has been announced on his Facebook timeline…about 48 hours ago!
So, it is true that Bolaji Dawodu has died…less than eight years after his closest production alter ego, Amaka Igwe…?
From the early 90s with Igwe’s Checkmate (arguably, Nigeria’s most beloved modern TV show)…and even earlier at NTA on different tele-movies…and much earlier, with Jide Ogungbade (also late) on Radio (drama). He has discovered many of today’s stars… directing them through their maiden goose-steps on the Nigerian tube.
Here is my brief ‘Reflection’ on him in my last book: “BOLAJI DAWODU – Always behind some of the epochal soaps, and videos that pockmarked the creative heights of these past four decades – still a recluse, still working behind the scenes, making stars and telling stirring stories. Impervious.”
Adieu Adekunle Dehinde Bolaji Dawodu…the constantly creative content connoisseur. Rest well…finally.
PS: Before we dispense with the burial rites, and consign Bolaji to the history books, and loving memories of his loved ones, and close co-workers in the moving pictures business… We should take a look in the mirror, and check our humanity pulse. How much do we care about the next person? When signs of depression confront you, do you look away, and play dumb? What do you do when your friend or colleague writes in an open-source suggesting suicidal tendencies, or high depression bothering on cessation of life?
I just found out now – and that doesn’t excuse my culpability too – that about six months ago, Bolaji wrote his “Obituary”! He actually wrote, and mentioned the words “my obituary” twice in his longest, I suspect, Facebook post…. I doubt if it made any impact… beyond 15 shares, and a mere seven comments!
Here it is, unedited…, read it and indict yourself, even in absentia…:
“ATTENTION NIGERIANS-RED ALERT.
Mr President, Minister of Finance, Governor Central Bank, EFCC. I have to bring this to the attention of Nigerians, because if I drop dead any minute from now I want you to know why.
My friends and colleagues have been trying to help me survive the hard times we are facing in our country today. They try to help me out to feed and pursue a project I am embarking on. It came to me as a shock when all the money sent to me disappeared just like that. I bank with GTBANK and STERLING BANK. On the 6th of July 2021, some money was sent to me through my GTBANK account. That morning I went to a POS, I withdrew some small amount to take care of myself precisely I collected #5000 and on the statement of account GTBANK gave me the transaction read:
POS/WEB Purchase transaction-363691-340872-FLW*SODOLABA LAGOS NG.
Before the night of 6th July and the next day 7th July 2021 my account was emptied, the transaction went thus:
6th July 2021
POS/WEB Purchase transaction-380811-032128-FLWMUSTAPHAFA LAGOS NG. 2.6th July 2021 POS/WEB Purchase Transaction-384517-066226-FLWAWIFADAVID LAGOS NG.
3.6th July 2021
POS/WEB Purchase transaction-387276-553980-
FLW*SODOLABABA LAGOS NG.
7th July 2021
POS/WEB.Purchase transaction-567549-241421-FLWSODOLABABA LAGOS NG.
So my account with GTBANK was cleaned out leaving#26:37 So I went on line to complain, I was told the account has been restricted. I was told to go to their branch office and collect my statement of account, which I did. I complained to a friend what had been happening , he sent #3000 for me to go back to the bank and see somebody high up. I tried to collect the money but no way, a neighbor borrowed me some money for transport. So I went to GTBANK Ojodu. They were of no help. The lady that attended to me advised I should block the account, which I did. She now told me to go to the counter that the money sent to me that morning can be withdrawn. I collected it and used it for transport back home and paid my neighbor the little he borrowed me for transport.
Getting home I decided to go online to borrow. I have links with 1. Branch Int. and 2. Fair money. The remaining change I had was used to pay my token loan from Branch Int. and they advanced me another #3000. They forwarded the amount to my STERLING BANK account. I went home thinking everything was okay. The next day,15th July still night about 2:30am my account was debited and debit alert was sent to me which read thus: Acc#:*1910 Desc: OTHER BANK TERMINAL-Olalekanafo/LLO27006938www.interswitLANG 15th-July-2021.@ 2:30AM money withdrawn #3,125.00. That morning when it was day light l went to Sterling Bank to complain they blocked my account, took my details and promised to see what can be done and that if any amount is sent to me now I can only collect it accross the counter only
Dear friends, colleagues and Nigerians that is my plight. I have never experienced this before. Since yesterday I have had nothing to eat and I am feeling funny health wise. That is why I am writing this, take this as my obituary yes obituary. If I should die no need to buy coffin just drop my dead body in front of any GTBank. They should use the money taken from my account the bank to bury me. Thank you guys my appreciation to all those who been supportive. God bless.
Thank you …
Bolaji Dawodu”
And, the man died!
PS-2: Apparently, FB flagged his post, and perhaps with complaints from his benefactors, he backtracked…with a less emotive copy, which he ended thus: “Dear friends colleagues and Nigerians that’s my plight. I could not believe this, it has been pretty difficult. Facebook removed my first posting of this; I have removed all the emotional talks I added to the first posting and just state the facts as they are: This is my second posting. Thanks friends, Colleagues. I Appreciate Bolaji Dawodu”.
This opinion was written by Femi Akintunde-Johnson
