Hottestgistnaija.com
I am in Uyo for the Uyo Fashion Week. I was flown in by my sister, Lady May to come and handle a masterclass where I would be discussing entrepreneurial idsues with Akwa ibom youths
In excitement, I jumped into the beautiful Ibom Air aircraft with the former Governor, the legendary Obong Victor Attah and landed in the exquisite 104 apartments in Uyo with very talented homeboy and fashion designer my brother and Uk based Clemas waiting for me with bowls of Afang
Then he said, I just dey come from RMD room and I said oya take me there
He sat like the king he is, grey beards like King Herod and strong white teeth gleaming from a beautiful mouth with cascading rich grey beards covering an elegant jaw line like a well manicured lawn, the type you see around the famous American White House
RMD is a legend and eventhough this sounds like a cliche, the statement is truly a factual one
41 years in the public eye, wafting thru a kaleidiscope of roles taking the public from stage, thru journalism and publishing, pulling us through a motely ensemble of TV roles, movie intereptation and then a firm stamp on our fashion and as if that was not enough jumped into leadership with an 8 year run as a Commissioner then finally just being self by not being carried away with all the noise and public adulation.
It is no wonder that I immediatly fall on my knees as I am led into the expansive and olympic sized living room of his stately apartment here in sleepy and rainy Uyo
Clemas shouts, Duke you dey prostate? And RMD says – abeg leave am, he reach to prostate, I no be him mate and I Prostrate cos true true, this one pass me.
This one na Icon, a rare plumage of fine artistry, enmeshed in a sweet human form.
Tall and elegant like a gazelle.. Although age is slowing him down in physical movement, age does nothing to his looks.
He still has the bright sparkle in his eyes, skin as demure as cream caramel, smokey voice that screams entrapment to females and huge charisma that fills up a room.
How do you maintain the relevance, I ask as I run into turbulence
He immediately sits up and with fire in his eyes, tells me matter of factly – Edgar wetin be maintain relevance.
Nothing like maintian anything – he continues.
I no maintain anything. Its all about self. Its the being of self and the conection by the public with you being you.
I no understand but I nod my head before dem throw me out of the balcony
I say tell me more and he continues – Edgar, you see why I never work with you, na cos you never bring project wey attune to me. Wey connect with what I want be after 41years.
I am in retirement, so I choose my jobs and relax and worse, I jump enter plane go play with my grandchildren.
As I begin to understand, he relaxes, reclines on the elegant leather couch and continues
See, na 84 I come Lagos and I start as a thespian, fell into journalism by accident and then them push me into TV.
Today, I no fit take appointment but that no mean say, I no respect the office na why anybody can direct me
He offers me a swig from the whiskey he is taking but I opted for water as he took me down a deep and philosophical excursion into not only his mind but his thoughts of the Industry and the role he is playing as a well sought after enabler.
His skits with Basketmouth and Ay comes into focus as sure examples of his enabling role in the industry.
Same role he is playing in fashion.
Now, I have to confess. I had quietly gone to gossip with Mudi, the super talented fashion czar and in a gossipy nature had mentioned – Mudi, why bros dey wear every tailor cloth, he no good.
The thing dey diminish am and Mudi do like he no hear me o.
This evening, in Uyo drinking a bottle of water with the mercurial RMD and with Clemas swigging his own whiskey from a tea cup, RMD drops the bombshell
The other day, Mudi ask me why I dey wear everybody cloth – my people piss catch me.
Did Mudi call my name, I wondered. I was preparing to deny the way Peter deny Jesus and even with more gumption when the man jumped into the deep end of a philosophical journey
See, Edgar if I feel say my lending myself and personality to young tailor go help him business and career why not.
Dem no fit pay me na, but na to help them and pull them up and I no get regret for that one.
I nod my head in agreement but not before making a note to go knock that urhobo man head for Anthony Village.
Anyways, it was time to leave and as I stood up, I looked at the beautiful sage once again and he cut the image of the late legend Sean Connery with the grey beards and I smiled at him and shook him and said, we go see tomorrow abi and he said yes and I turned to walk away but with a lingering thought in my tired mind- God, hope I go still fit fine like this when I reach him age. Kai.
RMD is in uyo for the huge Uyo Fashion week and me sef, I am in Uyo for the same event but in a* *different capacity – me come chop afang*
