EXTRA: An ode to Feyi Smith at 70 — by Fred Chukwuelobe

His name is Feyisitan Akinropo Smith.

Professionally, he is known as Feyi Smith, or simply Feyi. We met at Champion Newspapers Limited in 1992. He was Deputy News Editor when I joined and later became News Editor, a position I also occupied.

I worked under him and found him to be an extraordinary human being. He was very caring and approachable. He deployed me to the labour beat, from where I covered the industrial unions and employees’ associations.

Being a Yoruba man in an Igbo-dominated organisation, one might have expected him to be unkind to people like me who combined journalism with business – what we fondly called hustling. But Feyi was different. He covered me, protected me and encouraged me.

He went as far as encouraging me to request one year’s study leave without pay after one of my brothers tried to frustrate me from doing what virtually everyone else was doing – combining work with part-time schooling. Along with my dearest friend, Igwebuike (Ike) Abonyi, he gave me the support I needed to become somebody in journalism.

I eventually left and went to the University of Lagos in pursuit of my Master’s degree. It was hard to believe that I could ask for one year’s study leave without pay when the pay was hardly anything to talk about. But I dared, and I succeeded.

I owe a debt of gratitude to people like Feyi and Ike, the late Ujinge of the Association of Senior Staff of Banks, Insurance and Financial Institutions (ASSBIFI), Chief Godwin Ulocha of the National Union of Postal and Telecommunications Employees (NUPTE), and Senator Adams Oshiomhole of the National Union of Textile, Garment and Tailoring Workers (NUTGTW). These are industrial union leaders who stood by me in those trying times.

But today is not about my story or the frustrations I faced in the hands of my own brothers, which later turned out as a blessing in disguise. It is about a man who made sure that I was encouraged, protected and defended. It is a lesson for those ethnic bigots who try to divide us along ethnic lines. Feyi’s conduct reminds us that humanity, friendship and kindness transcend ethnicity.

Oga Feyi, as I fondly call him, is 70 years old today, and I want to celebrate him.

He has been to my village in Anambra State. He has accompanied me to some social functions in Ondo State and the South-East. I gave him a traditional name: Nwannedinamba – a brother in a foreign land.

Feyi, I celebrate you on the attainment of this remarkable milestone. I thank you for your friendship, your kindness and the many ways you have stood by me over the years.

I pray that God will grant you many more years in good health and sound mind, so that you can continue to enjoy life – and, of course, continue to drink your Big Stout!

Thank you for your friendship.

I join your wife and children in rejoicing with you today.

Happy 70th birthday, my friend and my Oga.

Congratulations, Oga Feyi!