Another peep through history’s window, by Michael Olatunbosun |

Any society that is desirous of progress and development must have a sense of history. Therefore, a study of the past, and of our heroes and heroines and their contributions to what we have achieved so far, is pertinent. Every endeavour of man today must be predicated on the approach and foundation that was laid in time past. Thus, the present generation must ask how the leaders of yesteryears laid the foundation of society in order to be able to decide on the structures to put on that foundation. The book, Of Rusts and Gold: Snippets of History (2016, Akoosa Publishers) is the bridge between the past and the present. 

“Of Rusts and Gold: Snippets of History,” is authored by Hon. Barrister Femi Kehinde, a lawyer, historian, writer, and politician.

In 1999, he was elected to the House of Representatives to represent Ayedire/Iwo/Ola-Oluwa Federal Constituency in Osun State, and he was in the parliament from 1999 to 2003.

In this book, the author, Hon. Femi Kehinde, presents a panoramic perspective of the social and political life and activities of the South-Western Nigeria. In the book, special attention is paid to the political, economic, and social life of Ibadan, the largest city south of the Sahara.

In the book Of Rusts and Gold, he gives us a historical and factual focus on the roles played by Ibadan, the political capital of South West Nigeria.

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In 249 pages, the author collects for posterity his articles on Yoruba cultural and political history, contemporary Nigerian politics, as well as the entrepreneurial spirits of early Nigerian traders and industrialists. 

In the section titled Ibadan: A Melting Point, the author tells the beautiful story of Ibadan’s charming cosmopolitan beginning and how the city was able to throw up some of the greatest academics, entrepreneurs and professionals. Borrowing from the metaphor of rust and gold employed by JP Clark to describe Ibadan, Femi Kehinde pinpoints some of the landmark historical advantages that Ibadan enjoys in  the Nigerian mix. He writes that as a matter of fact, Ibadan “was hitherto, the most cosmopolitan city in Africa.” The British developed the Ibadan Colony to facilitate its commercial activities and it shortly grew into a major trading centre and political centre point of the Yoruba nation. Consequent upon these, the first railroad in Nigeria started from Lagos in 1898 and got to Ibadan in 1901, when the Dugbe Train station was formally opened. The early economic growth of Ibadan was thus intrinsically linked to the railway.

In this section of the book Of Rusts and Gold, Hon Femi Kehinde proceeds on a vivid voyage of cataloguing the earliest business men who opened Ibadan to world reckoning. He specifically mentioned Chief Salami Agbaje, father of the first Ibadan medical doctor, Saka Anthony Agbaje; first Ibadan lawyer, Mojeed Agbaje. The author also mentioned Samuel Adebisi Giwa Idi-Ikan, a wealthy man, as well as other people, especially political leaders who were charmed by the Ibadan aura.

He also celebrated the many firsts of Ibadan and the stories behind some of the places like Yemetu, Oke-Are, Oke Sapati, and Bowers Tower. He talks about the political brilliance, wizardry and economic sagacity of the Awolowo-led Action group in bringing about the first television station in Africa on 31 October 1959, the first Stadium, the Liberty Stadium now Obafemi Awolowo Stadium patterned after the popular Wembly Stadium London, opened in 1960; the first dualized road in Nigeria – the Queen Elizabeth road and the famous University College Hospital, UCH, amongst many others.

In this book, the author specifically gives us an opportunity to peep into the major political events and intrigues that happened in Ibadan, the Western Region Parliament, Ibadan, and the roles of key players of those days.

The author gives us the rare privilege of encountering S.L. Akintola, Obafemi Awolowo, Adegoke Adelabu among others. Of Adegoke Adelabu, the writer specifically mentioned that  “Adegoke Adelabu was another storming petrel of Ibadan politics… he was an extra-ordinarily brilliant scholar…” (p25) Of Samuel Ladoke Akintola, the author writes: “Ladoke was an enigma of a man… Verbally gifted and naturally gregarious attorney, … scholar, … street and world wise, brilliant, witty, humorous…” (p46)

In this book, the author also provides a rich exposition on some important personalities like Oba John Adetoyese Laoye, Timi of Ede, Ooni Aderemi and Sijuwade, the intrigues before the coronation and installation of Ooni of Ife, Oba Olateru Olagbegi II and the popular Yoruba writer and mystic, Daniel Olurunfemi Fagunwa. 

The concluding sections of the book Of Rusts and Gold, are dedicated to discussing contemporary political intrigues in our national life, with specific mention of personalities like Goodluck Jonathan and Bukola Saraki 

Apparently, Hon Femi Kehinde has some soft spot for former president, Olusegun Obasanjo. Recalling his time as a member of the National Assembly from 1999 to 2003, Hon Femi Kehinde writes that he was an ardent and unrepentant supporter of Chief Olusegun Obasanjo. He stated that he and some of his colleagues made sure that the impeachment plot against Obasanjo failed, foiling in the process the planned disgrace plot in the wake of the impeachment. He stated that this move by him was altruistic, and to ensure the sustenance of our nascent democracy. But he expressed his disappointment with Obasanjo. “However, the third term debacle and the attempt of rail-roading it, without regards to ethics, panache, morals and the future and stability of this Country, leaves a sour taste in the mouth.”

This perhaps suggests that the third term agenda of then president, Olusegun Obasanjo was a reality which was cut short by the National Assembly then.

Well, the book, Of Rusts and Gold: Snippets of History is a book for all lovers of history, and it is a great resource material worth having.

. Olatunbosun, a broadcast journalist, fact-checker, and book reviewer at Splash FM 105.5, Ibadan can be reached via 08023517565 (SMS and WhatsApp only) and miketunbosun74@gmail.com.