How the Ooni of Ife embraced him with deep respect and warmth gesture, how Fashola and the other ‘elite guests’, who’re present, admired him with tensed eyes, how the crowd cheered his presence with gestures of unbelief – I doubt I would believe, if told 2 years ago, that GRV would be the ‘man’.
Yesterday, Ile Ife relished the presence of Nigeria’s ‘four hundred’, as His Imperial Majesty, Arole Oduduwa, Olofin Adimula, Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ongunwusi marked his 50th birthday.
The glam presence of the ‘political elite’ at the event was very competing. But none dwarfed the emergence of GRV to the scene. Everyone saw him, everyone felt his aura, and the ‘big wings’ embraced him.
GRV has grown to become a brand – ‘an admired political brand’. He was lavished with the social proof, before the spectating eyes of the crowd at the Ooni’s @50 birthday bash.
He stepped into the venue in his usual style; in spotless white apparel, with bold look, confident smile, and full presence.
At no time did he gesture for validation or wave hands to a lost crowd, or motion to announce himself. No, he didn’t dramatize the fakeness that styles the ‘notice me’ grand entrance of Nigerian politicians at events.
As he entered, in his fullness and depth, eyes turned and the countenance that fell on the faces there gave not just a feeling of familiarity but that of deep admiration.
Saw the Ooni beckon on GRV to match into the fall with him and Ex-Governor Fashola, and it was majestic. The other kings and dignitaries joined behind and beside.
