Seven (7) is a unique number that means several things, howbeit positive. Worthy of number 7 of those who made the outgoing year 2025 worth the while for me despite some teething experiences are the duo of my elderstatemen, our own Canada-based egghead Sir Adebayo Adeniyi Adedosu (Eruobodo) and our globetrotter pillar of support, Engr. Badru.
A lot of Progressive folks can attest to the humane and candour personae idiosyncratic of Sir Adedosu (a.k.a Tenderbiggie). A philanthropist to a fault. I remember how several of our progressive brothers and sisters benefited from his large-heartedness on X (formerly Twitter) barely 2 years ago through his financial support. He was always ready to give, give, and give again, even till tomorrow.
We both met during the 2022 Osun gubernatorial poll when he travelled down to Nigeria. I had gone to Osun (my state) as part of an election-monitoring team from Abuja. I then met with Sir Adedosu at the Government House Annex, Oke-fia, Osogbo alongside other Progressives including, but not limited to my brother, Jubril Gawat, the SSA (New Media) to Governor Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State, Hon. Ahmed Ningi, the SSA to Vice President Kashim Shettima, Ismail Omipidan, then Chief Press Secretary to Governor Gboyega Oyetola, Dr. Dayo Israel, the APC National Youth Leader, CBN Akinsola, Comrade Dada Olusegun, the Special Assistant (Social Media) to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu amongst others.
My confabulation with Sir Adedosu in Osogbo was the beginning of our camaraderie. We both featured prominently on TV stations canvassing for Tinubu presidency. While he spent his hard-earned resources to campaign for the Renewed Hope project pro bono, I operated under the Nigeria Diaspora for Asiwaju (NDA). Sir Adedosu did not stop only during the campaign. He went further to organise post-victory feast where he garnered some Progressives together in Lagos, and we all wined and dined all at his expense.
Why am I telling this story? Sir Adebayo Adeniyi Adedosu has done so much for the APC, and he has always protected my interest at every given time, discussions, rendezvous, and ‘covens’. However, his efforts have not been rewarded in any way sadly.
I remember a visit he made not too long ago to the country. He’d invited some of our Progressive brothers to his hotel room somewhere in Abuja. Unbeknown to all of us, he’d brought several gifts all the way from Canada to everyone present inside his room that day. By my count, guys were not less than 6 or 8. And I am cocksure no one left without getting a pair of nice legs. That’s who Bayo Adedosu is – a giver with no end. I can only wait for when he will have his due recognition by the party.
Engr. Badru – the Miner, daddy gbogbo wa. He is a man not given to many words, reticent, laconic, and highly taciturn, except when he’s in the midst of his like-minds. If you are looking for a silent support pillar with no noise for the Progressives, look no further but towards Engr. Badru. He never stops giving regardless of the number of times he is called upon.
One thing I know with Egbon Badru is that you should not engage him once you are less intelligent because he will embarrass you (smiles). He is super-intelligent and knows too much of everything. This Ebira scion, ‘Mr. How much?’ (as we fondly call him in our ‘coven’) has repeatedly helped many of our Progressive brethren on several occasions, including Yours Truly. And he is not tired of helping again and again.
Each day, I wake up, I’ve always shown gratitude to God for the kind of persons He has surrounded me with. Without God and then the support of these individuals, this outgoing year would have been a lot more excruciating.
To these, my wonderful ègbóns therefore, permit me to thank you very profusely for making year 2025 a memorable one for me. I crave your indulgence to do more again come 2026 in sha Allåh, in sha Jesus, àṣẹ Èdùmàrè!
Thank you, both!
E-sign
Your darling àbúrò,
OMOLUABI OMOGBOLAHAN BABAWALE (O’CZAR)