Bayo Surakat: An uncle for all season

By Jide Ajani

Between his moustache and his hair,  I never knew which he paid more attention to in those days. 

However, his well-cultivated moustache made me admire him from a distance.In fact, the first day I saw him at his Festac residence, my gaze was fixed on his moustache as he entered the living room just some minutes after 6 O’clock in the evening.

Unfortunately for me, while I fixed my gaze on his moustache, his stern look of astonishment at the sight of a total stranger in his living room poured cold water on my admiration for his moustache. 

“Good evening, sir”, I said in a panicky tone.

“Good evening, how are you?” he responded. This was sometime between February and March, 1984, some 42 years ago. 

While, the conception of the story of my relationship with Uncle Bayo started from 2nd Avenue, 22Road, F Close, Block 2, Flat 12, the story developed into one of brotherly love at his residence of 41 Road, F Close, Block 3, Flat 3.

It started with one Uncle Kenny Shoye, who used to live and hangout with his friends at the 22Road residence of the Kayode’s (Foluso, Jimmy and Bukky). 

I was preparing for my WAEC examination (May/June, 1984) but I was not convinced enough that my English Language preparations were in order, so, to Uncle Kenny I went.

He linked me with another Uncle Remi. Now, I can not remember if Uncle Remi lived in the same apartment of the Surakats, but he brushed me up in the preparations for the English Language Exam. My first script scored 11/40; the second was 15/40; while the third was 17/40. After that Uncle Remi said because he had applied the strict marking scheme of WAEC to my script, and I could score 17/40, he was certain I would pass. And I did with an A2 in English Language. In those days, an A2 in the English Language was rare. 

What Inspired the title of this birthday tribute would become manifest soon. 

In that apartment – just a two-bedroom flat – apart from Uncle Bayo and his irrepressible wife whom we all called Mama Deji, and the kids, the following uncles were also being harboured and catered for: There were two Gbengas (one was tall, while the other was sturky); then we had Bayo, aka Ateme (whatever it meant; it was much later that I got to know that Uncle Ateme’s real name is Adebayo Adejuwon; he’s now resident in Canada); Toyin (also know as Tunde) and Kenny. 

Not that they lived there permanently, but for the about three months I was preparing for my WAEC Exams, they were mostly there and each person contributed to preparing me for the exam. 

It would take a man with a large heart and an understanding wife to live in that apartment with all the big uncles. That speaks to Uncle Surakat’s accommodating nature. 

Back to my first meeting with him. 

After arriving in his Volkswagen Beetle 1300 model and greeting me that evening, he went straight to his bedroom which was directly in the opposite direction of the entrance door. 

He wore a frown when he went in. But by the time he came out minutes later, he had become much friendlier, asking about my parents and encouraging me to focus on my education.

Whatever happened when he went Inside to meet Mama Deji, I do not know. 

But Mama Deji accepted me once she saw me the first day as if I was her brother. 

Since this is about the celebration of Uncle’s 70th birthday, some revelations can be made. 

I’ve always heard some of those uncles saying “Broda Bayo ati Mama Deji o ni se ra won le se” (Hope Uncle Bayo and Mama Deji will not injure each other). 

I did not understand what it meant until much later. Those gossipy uncles are alive and they know themselves. 

But as for Uncle Bayo and his inspiration to the younger ones, his apartment played a significant role in my evolution from a secondary school student, to attending Federal Polytechnic, Bida; Ogun State Polytechnic, Abeokuta; as well as an unfinished Masters Degree programme from the University of Leicester. 

Because Uncle Bayo admonished me then that education is the only legacy that belongs to you, it also spurred me to go for Executive Courses at Oxford University’s Smith School of Enterprise And The Environment; Henley Business School; Aston Business School, University of Birmingham; and Alliance Manchester Business School, University of Manchester, all between 2014 and 2016. 

Apart from the academics, the role 41Road played in my life remains inestimable. 

My wife today, Sekinat, had the turbulent aspects of our relationship resolved at 41 Road. 

Whenever we had any issue of disputatious nature, Mama Deji was always on hand to counsel. Once in a while, Uncle Bayo would walk in, drop one or two hints and just head straight into their bedroom. 

Today, all those uncles are successful. For me, I’ve since become a successful journalist, courtesy of my A2 in English Language and the mentoring I received from 41 Road. I’ve served as Politics Editor; Deputy Editor, Sunday Vanguard; Northern Editor; and Sunday Editor of Vanguard. I also served as Special Adviser, Media, to Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, between 2019 and 2022, after which Vanguard recalled and promoted me to be its General Editor, my current post. In the early 1990s, I worked as Assistant Staff Writer at The Sunday Magazine, TSM (1991-1992); and worked as Special Assistant to General Domkat Bali (1992-1995). 41 Road played a major role in all these. And all thanks to Uncle Bayo Surakat and his wife, Mama Deji.

As Uncle Surakat celebrates his 70th Birthday, I pray that the Almighty Allah (SWT) would grant him more grace in long life, unlimited joy and more blessings, Amin.

Remembering Joseph Oghoetomo Ugono, 

Urhukpe of Orogun Kingdom, 10 years after 

By Veronica Ugono

In life there are people who 

make things happen, while 

others either watch things happen or merely ask: What happens? Those who make things happen become societal greats when their efforts are directed not for selfishness and egocentric ends but for the common good of all people.

They are easily identified by their passion to achieve and an uncommon spirit of courage to continue to trace the locus of contemporary society and sustain its fabric and development momentum. More often than not, such men depart this world early due to daily trauma suffered as a result of challenges bedeviling society and several arrows of betrayal and disappointments.

Chief Joseph Oghoetomo Ugono was one of such men in our past history. Fate played a cruel one on him, as his father died when he was still very young and he barely knew his father. Hope of living was almost lost until providence again intervened in his life. His mother’s younger sister, Madam Titi Odigiri, took him to live with her at Obiaruku. 

There he started his primary school at Baptist Primary School, Obiaruku, from 1951-1958. After his primary education, he traced his roots to his paternal family and worked assiduously on farms. He proceeded to England in 1969 and enrolled at Walbrook College, London, and obtained GCE O & A Levels from the Universities of Cambridge and London in 1971 respectively. He attended the famous South-West London College from 1972-1975 under the sponsorship of the British Government and qualified as a Certified Financial Accountant. He did his postgraduate studies at the University of East London between 1976-1977, again sponsored by the British Government, and was awarded the Postgraduate Diploma in Management Studies (DMS) in 1977. In 1977, he was recruited from London as Pioneer Deputy Financial Controller, Societe Generale Bank Nigeria Ltd, Lagos. The Chief was highly cerebral but restless. This made him leave the bank in 1978, and between 1979-1985 he worked as Business Manager with the renowned Eku Baptist Hospital, Eku, where he qualified as a Certified Hospital Administrator. He also worked as Senior Accountant at Bendel Feed and Flour Mill Ltd, Ewu, in the present Edo State, between 1986-1990. Chief Ugono had many professional affiliations. He was a Fellow of the Chartered Management Institute of Great Britain (FCMI). He was a Fellow of Certified Financial Accountants of Great Britain (FFA). He was also a Fellow of the Nigerian Institute of Management (FNIM) and was a Certified Public Accountant (CPA).In 1991, Chief Ugono delved into the murky waters of politics, starting from the grass roots. He was elected Councillor, Ughelli Local Government Area, and was in charge of Works & Transport. Between 1992-1993, he was elected Member, Delta State House of Assembly (DTHA). Here he made immense contributions in the House. 

He was the Chairman, Finance and Appropriation Committee & Chieftaincy Affairs. Chief Ugono was a dogged fighter. He had the spirit of never say never. He was blunt and outspoken, had attention to detail, and he was honest and straightforward. As a member of Parliament, his commitment to his constituency was unwavering. He served his people with distinction, winning their trust, and remained a political leader until his death. Chief Ugono was selflessly community-minded and very interested in the affairs of his native Orogun. He was an accomplished human being with a global soul. His virtues of forthrightness, excellence, and professional contentment were uncommon. He was an exceptional person, a humanist who loved to share the little he had with people who were less privileged. Chief Ugono loved and feared God. As much as he detested fanaticism, he was committed to his work with God. 

He was baptized at First Baptist Church, Obiaruku, in 1963. He later switched over to the Anglican Church, and he was a committed and dedicated member of the Cathedral of St. Andrew, Warri. As we remember Chief Ugono, we celebrate a life of service, dedication, and passion for Nigeria. His legacies will continue to serve as an inspiration to present and future generations of Nigerian politicians, reminding them of the power of public service and the importance of doing what is right. Many people who remember him were unanimous in acknowledging that he was a gentleman, calm, soft-spoken, unassuming, hospitable. 

He was married to Mrs. Veronica Ugono, and he was survived by one wife, six children, two stepchildren, two daughters-in-law, two stepsons-in-law, four grandchildren, two step-grandchildren, brothers, sisters, cousins, nephews, and nieces. Adieu, Papa, adieu the astute politician. Your wife, Mrs. Veronica Ugono

•He was a member of the Delta State House of Assembly, from 1991 to 1993

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