Intervention has no idea whatsoever of the artistic or cultural weight of Ebun Oglegba, wife of Benue State Commissioner for Finance. But she was able to pull out Bongos Ikwue to her to his 50th birthday on June 30th, 2024.
Bongos in action but from a sitting position
Bongos was not only there live, he also sang for the audience a total of five of his old but never fading numbers. One of them is titled ‘Amen’.
It shows how wedded to music the legend remains, even at 82. This time, he was with another legend in his own right, but from the bar.
Bongos sat with Barrister John Ochoga, a member of the Body of Benchers and the traditional title holder of Akpa Olofu. That has its own significance, of course but what the younger generation might find more interesting about John Ochoga is his spirit of spatial dare.
He was not satisfied with going to the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria where students from Benue Plateau and Kwara states converged then. His curiosity took him to far away University of Ife, now Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife.
The universities at the time were not just awarding certificates, they were also national unity practicum grounds. It contrasts with today when a graduate might not have met anyone who spoke a different language or worships differently from him or her.
Legends at work, indeed!
