Dr (Chief) Oluwayomi David Atte

 

Tribute

 

Prof. Albert Anjorin: “BODA ALBERT”

 

There I was. A green behind the ears strapping youth, completely lost in the environment of a University. I had registered as a fresh undergraduate of the University of Ibadan in September 1971. There was a gathering in Trenchard Hall – it was the welcome ceremony for new students. It was , I think 2nd October 1971. The big wigs were there and many others. I stood with another fresh student from Iya Gbeddeand we were chatting in our dialect. Suddenly, I heard this boom of a baritone voice, with a forefinger pointing directly at me, “You. Come here”. I trembled like a leaf in the wind as I approached this huge and imposing man. “Where do you come from?”, he asked next. “Good afternoon Sir. I come from Takete IDE in Kabba Division” I mumbled in response. “What is your name and who are your parents?” he asked. I wondered why this huge man before me was interested in finding out who was but I had no choice in the matter. His tone seemed like a command I had to obey. So I told him. Suddenly, completely unprepared for what came next, I found myself off the ground, held in a vice grip by arms that seemed as long and as strong as those of a gorilla. He was huge and I was small. It was not a difficult thing for him to lift me up in a passionate embrace. Swirling around my head was the big question, “who is this man and what is happening?”. He put me down gently but held on to my hand in his big ‘paw’. Still a baritone boom, his voice softened as he said, “I am Albert Anjorin from Ayede Amuro. Welcome to UI” and immediately changed to our very unique ‘specie’ of Yagba.

I was in what was like a dream. This is the great Dr Anjorin whose name and fame, “our first doctor” I had heard in whispers, standing right there, holding my hand and chatting happily with me!. I had known his father and family in Ayede before they moved to Orokere. Who didn’t know the father of the famous doctor? I had, and still have to pass through Ayede to and fro to connect the rest of the world. I passed through Ayede and Orokere on the very day Boda Albert’ left to be with the Lord and did so again as recent as last Sunday (07 December). Back to starters.

After the ceremony in Trenchard Hall, he asked for, and actually followed me to my room in Mellanby Hall nearby. From there he took me to his apartment in UCH, cooked me a meal and returned me to my hostel in the evening. It is a long story because it was ONE DAY that defined the life long relationship we had.

His apartment in UCH became my second home for three years as I spent almost every Sunday after church there. At times he would come to take me out. He became Boda Albert and I became Wora David. That’s how he greeted me from 1971 to the last time we spoke two months to his departure from Mother Earth. Boda Albert lived large and lived life to the full. He chose his path and there was no persuading him otherwise. He let me be with what he called my “fanatic religion” and never disparaged my faith. But he asked me to let him be in his chosen path. He had a wonderful and long courtship. It was romance made in heaven. I saw their radiance faces at the wedding and the fairy tale first months of marriage in their UCH apartment. I joined them in the joy of welcoming Olumide into this world. I also shared in the sorrow and strain of a young marriage in crisis. For once he allowed my faith in God to intrude into his life. But Boda Albert chose his path. However, crises didn’t change him. He remained a man of indomitable character, always carefully choosing what he wanted and sticking to it whatever the “world” said.

I left him in Ibadan after graduation and our paths didn’t

cross again until 17 September 1977. I had arrived in London on 01 September to begin my PhD program at the University of London. I had no idea Boda Albert was in London but somehow someone told him I was in London too and incredibly, he showed up at the front desk of my International Hall residence that day, 17th. The unmistakable Wora David reached me before I reached him. I felt the same bear hug as I felt on 02 October 1971. It was so good to see him. Of course it was not long before we headed for his apartment in his car. There, for the first time in my life, I saw colour TV – 17/09/77!

Unfortunately it was the tail end of his stay in London and three months later he returned home. We relived the three months like the Ibadan days afresh. His open, loud and bombastic laughter and friendliness “without guile”, the hallmark of his entire life, still played out.

I moved to live in the University Quarters, Fate, Ilorin, early 1986. Boda Albert was living almost directly opposite me. He wasn’t far from Prof Fawole while my dear Oga and Mentor, now His Majesty, the Elegbe of Egbe, Uncle Ayo Irekera, lived further down the road (that was when we knew that Tunde, though still young, would go places). Boda Albert’s home became my second home once again until the saga of the “University and 44 Lecturers” erupted and he had to leave. He remained himself, lived large, spoke his mind with uncharacteristic candor and dared the world to oppose him. Boda Albert was my mentor. Even though he was himself unbendable in his principles, he and Uncle Moses Ayinmodu, also my relation from Amuro, did more to tame my temperament than anyone else. I was a rash, bold and undiplomatic young man. Like Boda Albert, I feared no man, spoke my mind frankly and damning the consequences. Our Father, Late Chief Sunday Awoniyi, once called me “an unguided middle” when others quaked in his presence but I would have none of what he was trying to make us do. Boda Albert and Chief Moses Ayinmodu took it upon themselves to tame my rascality. “You say the truth and you stand on good arguments BUT it is important to apply wisdom and respect for people, if not your good qualities will be wasted” they kept admonishing me. They succeeded, more than anyone else could do in remolding me into what I am today. I am most indebted to them. They are the foremost heroes of my life

I cannot close this tribute without saying this. In 2010, the Council of Okun Traditional Rulers under the wise Chairmanship of His Majesty, Obaro OLOBAYO- a veritable and incredible Obaro, and other Okun Elders set up a Committee of Distinguished Okun People to liaise with the leaders of Kogi Central, led by the Ohinoyi of Ebiraland and the Leaders of Oworo and Lokoja to seek their cooperation and alliance in the quest for the creation of Kabba State. The Committee had important meetings all round and was very successful. The point I want to make is that Boda Albert was a member of that Committee and I was the Chairman of that Committee. How can I be Chairman when Prof Anjorin and other notable Okun Sons are there? I wanted to reject that position. It was Boda Albert who said “David, God chose you not man. Where assignments are political like this, you are my Leader and I promise to serve with you” . He was the behind the scene hand that guided me through that assignment. He developed the schedule and strategy with me and came to my rescue when my youthful experience could not carry me through. I will never forget that sssignment and the role Boda Albert played in it. I was no equal to him in any way but he humbled himself to let me be his boss. What a man! What a heart! What a hero! Boda Albert is one of the finest that Okunland and Nigeria have ever produced. I, especially, will miss him. Adieu, Boda Albert

Unfortunately Boda, I will not be able to be at your graveside to bid you farewell in Amuro or pay my personal respects in the ceremony at Ilorin. One my was from Takete IDE on 07 December 2025, I slipped a disc on the rough patch between Koto nKarfi and Gegu. I am unable to undertake any trip now because of my back. Know this, however Boda Albert, I am deeply grateful for all you have done to make my life better. I will remember them and you all the days of my life. I will pass on the story of your life to the coming genenations. Farewell Boda Albert. Rest until we meet again