Femi was an encyclopedia of the history of Highlife music in particular and of pop music of yesteryears, and hardly a musician of note in Nigeria was not on personal terms with him. Though a loving father and devoted husband, Femi also loved nightlife and lived it to the fullest, a pastime that exerted a great toll on his health
IT was in 1970, or thereabouts, that I first met the man, Femi Esho, whom fate later turned into the enigma and national icon that he was – as foremost collector, patron, and preserver of music of yesteryears, not only music of Nigeria but of the entire West Africa subregion.
I was working in the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) as a Clerk Grade 2 and living in Ibarapa area of Ebute-Metta (West); my years of youthful peregrinations. But, regardless, I was also guardian to one of my younger sisters, Bolanle, who had come to Lagos from our Igbajo hometown to stay with me, with the hope of getting a job. It was a time when familial responsibilities were matter-of-fact and taken seriously, adult roles devolving on the young as early as late adolescence.
I soon got Bolanle to join the staff of late Dr. V. O. Awosika’s group of hospitals as an auxiliary nurse. I had met Dr. Awosika (the late famed “Zero Party” proponent) at the NRC hospital, Ebute-Metta where he also served as a consulting doctor. He told me a story of himself as a medical student at the University College, Ibadan at the time my late sister, Bisi, was also a student. We became friends and he took special interest in me during his lifetime.
With Bolanle, then aged perhaps 19, working on the Lagos Island it was clear to me that she would sooner than later be involved in an amorous relationship with the opposite gender. So I sat her down one day and told her I’d rather she took the courage to invite home a suitor of her choice than get into any secret relationship game. Before long she took to my advice and came home one day with this dashing young man who looked my age. As guardian, I played the role of my younger sister’s father, took Femi to the side, and sought to know what he truly wanted of Bolanle, imploring him to leave her alone if his intentions were not noble!
As the banished Duke admonished, in Shakespeare’s As You Like It: “What would you have? Your gentleness shall force/ More than your force move us to gentleness.” It was a shot straight to the heart of Femi who was then working as a personal secretary to the military governor of Lagos State, Brigadier Mobolaji Johnson. Aged 24 and handsome, Femi was a most eligible bachelor, but he made me a promise towards my sister and, most uncannily, we became not just brothers (in-law) but best of friends till the end of his life! So much so that the dominant narrative is of my sister meeting Femi through me rather than of me meeting Femi through her. A narrative she helped by her mocking reproach that once her brother sees his friend, Femi, he forgets about her.
I cannot recount all of our escapades that went beyond the shores of Nigeria to England where he visited me together with his wife, Bolanle, in 1981. I’ll leave out our adventures in Soho etcetera, it was a visit from which Bolanle returned to Nigeria pregnant with their last child, Tokunbo! Nor can I recount all our business enterprises, bold entrepreneurial initiatives, from Business Concept Ltd to Calendar Manufacturers, to Panorama Agencies of Nigeria, and sundry others, before nestling in Evergreen Musical Company that began as a hobby, became a passion, then developed into a force on the nation’s music landscape upon which the enigma Femi Esho loomed large!
Always giving of himself, kind and gentle, Femi’s loyalty to friendship was matchless. There is a poignant episode to recall.
It so happened during Buhari-Idiagbon military rule of 1983-1985 that Femi literally offered his life for me when the junta’s armed soldiers stormed his office on Gray Street, Yaba, Lagos looking for me aware that it was my operating base whenever I was in Nigeria. In his office, after lunch, Femi was seated behind his large mahogany desk whilst I lounged on the sofa, ‘gisting’ as usual. Suddenly and rudely, some soldiers burst into the room, about 6 of them, in battle fatigues brandishing their arms. True, Femi and I looked a bit alike, but on the assumption that it was my office and I was the one sitting behind the boss’s desk, they moved towards Femi ordering him to get up and follow them. “Tunde Fagbenle, get up and come with us,” they commanded. Femi caught my eye where I lay but said nothing, got up, and followed them as ordered. I remained stretched out on my back watching the proceeding with some cynical amusement. Then as they all got to the exit door I spoke out, “Gentlemen, I am Tunde Fagbenle,” I said wryly. They all turned, rather sheepishly hiding their embarrassment, dropped Femi, and went for me, demanding my passport! Outside, in front of the office, were soldiers and more soldiers in their large military trucks as if going to war. There could be no greater mockery of the sanctity of the Nigerian Army!
I should not move on without easing the mind of the reader of the mystery around the event. Buhari/Idiagbon had just overthrown the democratic government of Shagari and set up a Special Investigative Panel (SIP) that embarked upon wanton arrests of politicians and civilians in government suspected of any financial malpractice. My friend, well-known journalist and writer Haroun Adamu who was the head of Kano State Government newspaper, Triumph, was one of those hastily arrested and kept in solitary confinement on the orders of the new military governor of Kano State. I had just flown in from U.K. where my book publishing company, Terra Firma had a publishing liaison with Triumph. I was all over Nigeria media demanding the release of Haroun and castigating the military regime of witch-hunting their personal enemies under false accusations. I had set up a SAVE HAROUN ADAMU COMMITTEE of which I was Secretary. So Femi Esho, my friends, family, and I knew that my arrest was a probability and only a matter of time. I was flown to Kano upon my arrest “to go confront the military governor being abused.” A story for another day!
Femi was an encyclopedia of the history of Highlife music in particular and of pop music of yesteryears, and hardly a musician of note in Nigeria was not on personal terms with him. Though a loving father and devoted husband, Femi also loved nightlife and lived it to the fullest, a pastime that exerted a great toll on his health. Convivial and happy amongst friends, our little watering hole and relaxation spot, Pub 9, in Yaba was second home to Femi as it was to the founder, Tunde Dawodu “OmoBob”. And when, a year ago, OmoBob died, and Pub 9 with him, a big part of Femi, and of many of us, also died.
For me, a good brother and true friend is gone. My wife, Buki and I shall surely miss you. Adieu, Femi Esho. Rest In Peace bro.
Tunde Fagbenle
