THE INNER RECESS OF A CONSUMMATE FASHIONISTA (Hypnosis 8)
Essays On The Mystique Of KSA The Sage
By Tunji Ajayi
In this Biography on King Sunny Ade, whose glimpse I have been running in the past 6 weeks, I had devoted a whole chapter of the book to discuss how this music maestro had consciously or otherwise applied basic management principles to run his effervescent King Sunny Ade & The African Beats for many decades; perhaps to the amazement of management scholars the world over. In researching on the essence of applying managerial skills in whatever we do, the assertion of an erudite management scholar had caught my attention, and which taught me a lesson. His name is Koontz O’Donnel. This specific chapter which discusses King Sunny Ade’s innate managerial skills is entitled “The Portrait of An Astute Manager.”
But hear Koont O’ Donnel, et.al. and the lesson we all need to learn: “Every person needs to apply an organized managerial knowledge to whatever business he operates, whether a financial institution, a grocery store, a poultry farm, or a musical troupe, the essentials of managing are the same.” Koontz, et.al. went on without mincing words: “. . . Principles and theories . . . if accurately formulated and properly used should be eminently practical. The real test of their validity is the crucible of practice.” From the foregoing, we will see clearly that the meticulous application of unassailable management theories and principles in whatever we do is essential. Very essential. Sunny Ade did exactly so either consciously or intuitively, in running all his administrative offices set up in the city of Lagos, Nigeria to facilitate his entertainment works of over five decades now. The thorough exposé will be found in this KSA’s Biography. And so, permit me to leave this issue till the book is finally opened for reading by his teeming fans to get themselves entertained and titillated.
But what actually struck me most during one of my numerous visits to one of his offices, which made me make an incontrovertible assertion therein? I had written unequivocably that: “King Sunny Ade pays high premium on sublime tastes. He is ever finicky. A visit to any of his magnificent offices in Lagos, Nigeria would clearly confirm his unsurpassed love for nature, decency and distinction. He can easily win a public bid specifically meant for interior decorators competing to provide aesthetics for Buckingham Palace! He does nothing in a lackluster manner. Like a spinster expecting to welcome her fiancé in her room, Sunny would personally decorate and re-decorate his posh offices to suit his high tastes, or his often high profile visitors; placing or replacing this flower vase, or that memento at the vantage position to lend exquisite beauty to his surroundings.”
I have no apology for saying so. Indeed when a theorem or principle is eminently proven beyond doubt, scholars do not hesitate to add that popular William Dunham Euler’s Latin interjection “Quod Errat Demonstrandum.” Thus, permit me to add his Q.E.D. cliché to my claim. I had been to one of his offices one day in pursuance of this book project during which time this enigma called KSA once again stunned me with bewilderment. It was after we had been moving from one live show to another, for about three successive days. The teetotaler feeds mostly on water! Yes. Sunny Ade loves water but holds alcoholism in strict abhorrence. He could stint himself of sumptuous food for days while latching on mere water. And once he mounts the rostrum for his ever-scintillating performances, he becomes ecstatic! Indeed, it is safe to aver that KSA’s most sumptuous “food” is exquisite showmanship to please his audience. Nothing more.
And so, trailing him with bloodshot eyes due to self-inflicted vigil to see first-hand his idiosyncratic mannerism, we both entered his sprawling office located in an imposing high-scrapper. Up till now, I have never been to the office of any executive Governor in Nigeria. I am not a politician. But if anyone tells me a state governor’s office is more beautiful and aesthetically furnished with sophisticated interior décor than KSA’s, a jig-saw puzzle may surge up in my personal psyche. I may be tempted to ask if such an office was emblazoned in gold or emerald.
Indeed, the manner KSA often appears as a consummate fashionista on the entertainment stage is not a "veneer". His aristocratic poise is real. You will be stunned at the finesse of organization and aesthetic interior design by which his office is elegantly festooned. Yet, if mind could be accurately gauged, it may still not have measured up to a good standard in our KSA’s estimation.
Settling down in his office, I had thought he would request for food having performed for three days in succession. Nay. Our man did not. On my own part, I had throughout the period been eloping, albeit stealthily, to please myself with sumptuous meal. I am not a music maker but a writer. KSA loves pleasing his friends and visitors. He didn’t even bother that he had not eaten for almost three days. What did he do? He rather offered me soft drink through his Secretary. Sunny is very finicky. Yes. Permit me not to say fastidious, perhaps to avoid being extreme. The lady innocently acceded to his request to host me. But, unknown to her, she had committed a faux pas, which evidently drew the ire of our finicky KSA. She had placed the bottle on the table before me with an aristocratic-like glass cup to sip the iced-cold drink. Sunny murmured slowly and almost inaudibly in his charmingly sweet tenor voice. “Did you notice her annoying mistake.” I retorted in my repulsive baritone voice: “No sir, I didn’t.” And our fashionista quipped: “Oh! You mean you didn’t see that? How does a hostess serve her guest drink without placing it in serving-tray?!” I understood him clearly now. The dripping water from the iced-cold drink made an unpardonable mark on the table! And he didn't fail to show his disgust.
The workaholic Master Guitarist surprised me more. He had noticed something again! Does he even ever get weary? I mused? He wanted a “better” placement of his Secretary’s posh, chocolate-coloured coated office desk. That good placement I had admired on entry didn’t please KSA. And so he beckoned to me. What does this querulous Sunny want of me? Lifting the desk up, KSA and I were re-positioning and re-positioning, and re-positioning, the desk. And whether the new placement actually pleased him thereafter, only our KSA knows! Perhaps, he might re-adjust in the future. Oh, Sunny keeps a date with fashion and decency!
A writer owes his audience a huge debt. And it is to never dither or renege in his promise to keep titillating and entertaining them, regardless of any circumstance. I hesitate to use the word “educate” for fear of appearing presumptuous. The Caveat? A bus is a bus. Calling it an Executive Bus is a misnormer and mere nomenclature. Trust Nigerian road and air transporters, and indeed our airlines; they would always quaqdruple transportation cost and air-fair at the approach of Yuletide or indeed, any festivity to profiteer to high heaven; regardless of fuel price stability. And so I faced an ordeal. Thus, you may need to please forgive whatever human errors found in this week’s Hypnosis 8 written inside the bus, en route Ebonyi State, for the Public Launch of one of our LC-Studios productions – A sizzling audio-visual Bio-Documentary on “Nkwa Umu Agbogho – Dance of the Maiden” slated to be formally launched on December 29, 2019 in far away Afikpo.
Nigeria has amiable culture and traditions. And it is every writer's responsibility to help promote our rich cultural values and languages which, unfortunately are gradually facing extinction in favour of colonial languages and foreign practices. Our languages and beautful cultural practices urgently need revival. A society that denigrates her own cultural values and traditions does so at her own peril. Our languages, cultural practices, etc are a mark of our identities. Let our aged people start to write their biographies and package their documentaries. Afterall, like James Morton averred, “Free minds and free lips are necessary so that men may grow and learn."
Until next week when we meet on this page on Essays on the Mystique of KSA The Sage, Deo Volentim, bye for now.
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