J.K. Randle love garden and the Super Mario “WORO”

On Saturday 29th October 2016; ahead of the 40th day since both Chief J.K. Randle Memorial Hall and Dr. J.K. Randle Swimming Pool were demolished by the government, the “WORO” decided on a pre-emptive strike – to dissuade the government from extending the demolition to the contiguous properly i.e. “The Love Garden” (now known as the MUSON Centre). For this special task, the “WORO” adorned the “Super Mario” mode in the firm belief that the danger signals are so powerful that matters should not be left to chance. It was bad enough to be caught unawares with the demolition of the first two iconic buildings.

To permit a recurrence with the third one (The Love Garden) would be unpardonable. Even love has its limits! As confirmation that the essence of “WORO” is to counter injustice and excesses, the first item on the agenda was the quote from both the Bible and the Quoran. “The Holy Bible in the book of Deuteronomy Chapter 16, verses 18- 20 says; “18 Judges and officers shall thou make thee in all thy gates, which the Lord thy God giveth thee, throughout thy tribes: and they shall judge the people with just judgment.

“19 Thou shalt not wrest judgment; thou shalt not respect persons, neither take a gift: for a gift doth blind the eyes of the wise and pervert the words of the righteous. “20 That which is altogether just shalt thou follow, that thou mayest live, and inherit the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee.”

And in the Holy Quran in Surat Nisaa Chapter IV verse 135, it was revealed to the Holy Prophet (SAW) as follows: “O you who believe! Stand out firmly for justice, as witnesses to Allah, even though it be against yourselves, or your parents, or your kin, be he rich or poor, Allah is a Better Protector to both (than you). So follow not the lusts (of your hearts), lest you avoid justice; and if you distort your witness or refuse to give it, verily, Allah is Ever Well-¬-Acquainted with what you do.” It bears repetition that the “Love Garden” was a gift from Dr. J.K. Randle almost a hundred years ago “…………..to the people of Lagos for their peaceful enjoyment and recreation.”

He was persuaded that what he had witnessed and savoured at Hyde Park, London could be replicated in “Victorian Lagos.” Till today, Hyde Park is free to all and sundry regardless of their status in life, their gender or their religion. Every Sunday, the park is a behemoth of loudspeakers and vigorous demonstration of free speech. Dr. Randle was convinced that Lagosians were no less deserving of fresh air and free speech.

Anyway, the Super Mario Woro wasted no time in reminding the audience that his trademark satirisation of the rich and powerful was anchored on tradition reinforced by culture – for the good of the public so that those who are in power are continually reminded that they are only holding the power in trust and the rule of law cannot be sacrificed on the altar of the mistaken belief that the end justifies the means.

When Dr. Randle entrusted the Love Garden to the care and custody of Lagos Town Council, it was at a time when public servants were the embodiment of integrity and trustworthiness. Alas, that was then, the Super Mario “WORO” lamented. He changed both gear and tune in order to deliver an eulogy on the public spiritedness of Dr. J. K. Randle who from his house at 31 Marina, Lagos had witnessed someone defecating into the pristine waters and majestic scenery of the Marina. He lobbied furiously to persuade the Colonial Government to build public toilets in Lagos.

The government would not budge. Rather, it insisted that there was no provision for toilets in the budget. Dr. Randle proceeded to build public toilets alongside refuse disposal centres/units all over Lagos with his own funds. Thankfully, many of them have survived till today and they are to be found at Amuto Street; Ita Faji market; Iddo market; Ajele Street; Igbosere Road (behind King’s College); Marina (opposite Cathedral Church of Christ; Olusi Street etc.

The rest have been hijacked or cannibalised by shadowy characters who have turned them into money-making ventures for their own pockets. In an endearing demonstration of self-deprecating humour, the Super Mario “WORO” declared that since his abode is in heaver (“Ara Orun”) from where he is able to see all that goes on (on earth), he is nevertheless baffled by government’s unrelenting efforts to demolish or confiscate property belonging to the J.K. Randle family.

Hence, it is not only the “Love Garden” (MUSON Centre) which is under threat. Chief J.K. Randle’s property – Shell Club, Adeniran Ogunsanya Street, Surulere; Nigerian Ports Authority Sports Club, Surulere; one hundred and eighty-six acres at Alausa; Ikeja (including where the Secretariat of the government is located); Cadbury factory at Agidingbi etc have been grabbed (actually confiscated) under one ruse or the other but no compensation was ever paid.

The thoroughly exasperated “WORO” lamented: “That is not the way we do things up there in heaven (araorun); may be things are done differently on earth. You just grab whatever comes your way without caring a hoot about due process. Heaven is paradise but the earth is a jungle. That is why we venture to come down to earth only one in a while – to deliver divine messages.”

As confirmation of his impeccable credentials, Super Mario WORO proceeded to declare that the forthcoming American Presidential election would be won by Donald Trump regardless of the predictions of the pollsters! The message was meant for the exclusive knowledge of the J.K. Randle family and thirteen well wishers of the family. For me, that was not a problem as I was not hearing it for the first time. Three months ago, the same message had been conveyed and I shared it with the members of the Friday Gregorian Table of the Lagos Motor Boat Club. They were incredulous.

Prince Olu Awogboro even placed a bet of one million naira with me that under no circumstances could Trump win. He was enthusiastically supported by his fellow Gregorians – Chief Bode Emanuel; Professor Theo Ogunbiyi; Dr. Charles Hammond etc. Thankfully, Raymond Ihembe cast his lot with the “Floreats” of King’s College.

Again on the eve of the American election I conveyed the message of the Super Mario Woro to members of Table 4 at the Metropolitan Club – Professor BolajiAkinsanya; Professor FolabiOlumide; Prince Peter Akintade (it was his 84th birthday), Professor Frank Okoisor; Otunba …………. Odugbesan; Folarin Williams; and ChikeNwanze. It turned out, by the following night, that the WORO was absolutely spot on. As they say, the rest is now history. Hilary Clinton has since conceded victory to Donald Trump.