Taiwo Abiodun and MAPA
…….I have spent 41 years abroad
…….No wife, no kid
……. I need a wife
…….. I am a citizen
For over 41 years Benjamin Bodunde Akinrinbola [ aka MAPA] has been incommunicado as nobody heard from him again especially from his country home, Owo, Ondo State. Until last week when Taiwo Abiodun ran into him at African Palace Restaurant owned by Mr.Kofo Osun at St. Louis, Missouri,(America.)MAPA spent a few minutes to chat with this reporter.
It is not funny. it is real. He meant it. He is serious. He needs it . He needs a woman now in his life .He wants a kid . He wants to raise a family . He has wasted years struggling to survive . It is not too late for him for God’s time is the best, the saying goes. Forget his age , age has nothing to do with destiny. But MAPA, as he is popularly called is not a prodigal son, he did not waste his father’s resources but struggled with the storm of life.For him life has not been funny at all.
Dressed in his winter coat, he looked at this reporter and could not believe his eyes , he quickly ‘abandoned’ his friends and screamed ‘’Mr. Journalist, Taiwo ,Bobo T, T Bobo, Babalawo of the Nation!’’, he continued calling this reporter on top of his voice to the surprise of all who came to the Restaurant. He was overjoyed , full of hope and bubbling . It was as if he had won a jackpot but when he started narrating his story his face changed, his voice which was raised before became low. His voice cracked and tears almost dropped from his eyes, he said ‘’, I have no wife and I have no child , I need a wife, please find me a wife’’, he said.
Still in the euphoria of joy, he said ‘’ it is nice seeing you after many years . I have lost in touch of you and many people. I have faced hurdles and that is storm of life but I thank God for my life , that is all I can say. For me life has not been rosy neither has it been fair but I believe when there is life there is hope’’, he said, as he took everything in a stoic way.
Reminded that he left home over 40years, he responded with total humility ‘’ Yes it is up to that , my brother the journey had been rough.’’, he said and started his story;
‘’You know that I traveled out of Nigeria and later had a scholarship from the Ondo State government during the late Pa Michael Adekunle Ajasin regime [1979] and I went to Russia to study. I spent nine years in Russia . From there I came to America. I am now spending 32years in America. I don’t have a wife or a child. Please I need a wife, I mean a responsible one . I am an American Citizen now please I am looking for a wife, I don’t drink alcohol or smoke’’, he told this reporter. He asked after many people he knew at home, and abroad , he was overjoyed but one thing he hope to do is to get marry now and settle down with a responsible woman.
As he took a picture with this reporter while picking up his food he came to purchase from the African Palace Restaurant. As he was about to enter his car , the snow flakes started dropping, yet he clutched his pack of food by his side , opened the door , waved again to this reporter and drove off.
Many who know the man whose nickname is MAPA at home said he is a very nice , gentle and easy going man. Investigation revealed that he had left Nigeria in the late 70s. He had a scholarship and went to Russia to study .However to find his feet was difficult for him , Back home many had the erroneous thought he may have joined the ‘’Saints’’ as they didn’t hear from him for more than two decades while some thought he may have spiritual problem. But whatever the case may be , here is the popular MAPA, he is alive and kicking, “He is not dead” which many thought to believe.
One thing you can not take away from the man called MAPA is happiness, joy , hope and faith. While others in similar situation will keep quiet,be unfriendly, temperamental and lose hope but not for MAPA.
Up to you ladies and single mothers looking for a husband . MAPA needs a woman to raise a family with before he grows old.