THOUGHTS OF FEMOLAD: DELE'S SLIPPERS

 

DELE’S SLIPPERS

A couple of decades ago I had the rare privilege of being employed by a very powerful Nigerian.

He was (still is) very wealthy. With a staff strength of over a thousand, the daily turnover was in millions of Naira.

We looked up to and at him as high and mighty. .;

 

His raiment and apparels were way beyond our reach. The array of luxurious cars tarpaulined in the premises was intimidating.

He was also a very generous man. He was fond of giving out gifts during festivities and festivals.

We looked at him as a benefactor.

None of us ever thought of him as possibly a beneficiary in any way.

That was until Dele was employed as a junior staff.

When Dele got his first salary he went to the market and bought “Baba Olowo” a pair of leather slippers.

We laughed at him, wondering what the opulent big man would do with Dele’s cheap slippers.

He went to present it and came back smiling with satisfaction. We still laughed at Dele.

To our surprise the Oga wore Dele’s cheap slippers the rest of the day.  We (including Dele) thought that was enough honor.

We forgot about Dele’s slippers thereafter.

Some weeks after, I had reason to visit the home of our Boss in company of another colleague.

Lo and behold, Dele’s Slippers sat in a place of pride in a glass frame on the wall, with Dele’s name inscribed at the bottom.

At the next monthly staff meeting, Dele was recognized and eulogized to high heavens.

We were envious.

Some years back, (After about twenty-five years) I had cause to visit my old boss at his high brow residence in Lagos.

There on the wall was not only Dele’s Slippers but a picture of Dele and the Big Man on his wedding day.

So much for Dele’s slippers.

We all have Ogas, Political, Social, Business, Family and others.

They do so much for us. We get so much from them. We look up to them.

Do we ever think of giving to them, no matter how little.

That little inconsequential gift means a lot. It is so much more valuable than the monetary value.

DELE’S CHEAP SLIPPERS  STOOD HIM IN GOOD STEAD IN LIFE.

I am still

Femi Ladapo (Femolad)