S. L. Edu: A life to remember

FOURTEEN years ago, death, the greatest leveler of human beings, stole into the home of the patriarch of the highly revered Edu dynasty and one of the few surviving titans of Nigeria’s pre-independence generation nationalists and statesmen, Chief Shafi Lawal Edu. Shafi was born in Epe, Lagos State, on January 7, 1911. His family and friends celebrated his 90th Birthday with pomp and grandeur on January 7, 2001. He turned 91 on January 7, 2002 and bade the world farewell 24 hours after he turned 91. In line with his wish, S. L. Edu remains were lowered to the mother earth of his homeland Epe on Monday January 9, 2002. The journey of life which started in Epe on January 7, 1911 had been usefully and productively spent in the service of Epe, Lagos State, Nigeria and the global community. His life was a life of service, a life well spent in the service of humanity.

My first contact with Chief S. L. Edu took place in 1993, when Prof. A.O.K Noah and I went to his 26 Oyinka Abayomi, Ikoyi, residence to seek his fatherly intervention in the LASU Crisis during Sir Michael Agbolade Otedola’s tenure as the Governor of Lagos State and Visitor to Lagos State University. He immediately rose to the occasion and LASU crisis was justly and fairly resolved.

In the course of my association with him, I was privileged to be the author of Journey from Epe: Biography of Chief S.L. Edu, (Lagos, West African Book Publishers, 1996). From his humble journey beginning from the arcadian milieu of Epe, Chief S. L. Edu travelled on his odyssey in life, making significant and ground breaking forays into the domain of business, commerce, politics, environment, philanthropy, religion and education. In the process, he indelibly etched his name on the canvass in all these spheres as a man who personified success and achievement. The essence of the life of Chief S. L. Edu is that of an altruistic philanthropist, an astute business mogul of international repute, a great family man, a benevolent educationist, a world renowned conservationist, a self-effacing politician, a patriot and a strong pillar of the Muslim community in Nigeria.

Born on January 7, 1911, Shafi Lawal Edu belonged to a royal ancestry with a rich historical heritage. He was the scion of a highly respected and devoted Muslim family that drew sustenance from the tenets of the Holy Quran and the Hadith of Holy Prophet Mohammed. His grandfather was Buraimoh Edu, a distinguished and seasoned Muslim Mogaji who later became the Baale of Epe. Buraimoh Edu reigned between 1903 and 1917 and is generally regarded as the last paramount ruler of Epe. Buraimoh Edu was one of the most martial and adventurous young men who accompanied Oba Kosoko of Lagos into exile in Epe in the wake of British military infiltration and occupation of Lagos in 1851.

During this cataclysmic movement, Buraimoh Edu was said to be in his early 20s. His decision to migrate with Kosoko was contingent on the fact that he was also a Lagos Prince from the Onilegbale segment of the Akarigbere (White Cap Chiefs) and an ardent adherent of the Oba Kosoko’s cause.

S.L. Edu was a man of modest education but he did not perceive his modest educational background as an obstruction to upward mobility in society but rather as a challenge that must be transcended. In fact, as a template for his self-effort and doggedness, Chief S. L. Edu appreciably improved on his formal education. In 1945, he resigned from Holland West African Line to feather his own nest as an independent business man. At this time, he derived great inspirations from and found remarkable models in such business icons as Oga Josiah Henryson Doherty, the “Prince Merchant of Alakoro Fame”, W. A. Dawodu of Olowogbowo, Chief Timothy Adeola Odutola, Alhaji Sule Oyeshola Gbadamosi, Sir Mobolaji Bank-Anthony and Alhaji Issa Williams, among others.

S. L. Edu’s voyage on the high seas of entrepreneurship started as a ship chandelier, food contractor and timber trader. He successfully and creditably ruddered his way through the storms to the safe shores of a fulfilling business life. His spectacular sense of insightfulness and penetrating vision in business enabled him to expand his business interest in the early 1950s to include transport which he named Slee Transport Limited. This company majored in oil haulage and transportation of petroleum products. From the 1950s to the end of the First Republic, Slee Transport Limited was a major haulage contractor for the British Petroleum. The Time of Friday, September 17 1965 describes him thus ‘ Chief Shafi Lawal Edu ,54, who is president of Lagos chamber of commerce, has built a fleet of eight oil tankers. He owns a silver-blue Rolls-Royce, but usually drives around in a Mercedes – thinks it is less ostentatious.”

Chief S.L. Edu was also distinguished Nigerian politician and a statesman. His stint in politics dated to 1945 when he was elected as a councilor to represent Bado Ward in Epe District Council. In 1952, he was elected as a member of the Federal House of Representatives and served till 1954.

Till death, S. L. Edu remained relevant and significant but he grieved that he had to witness the contemporary deterioration in the state of Nigeria’s economy, governance and international relations. Nigeria’s suspension from the Commonwealth of Nations during General Sani Abacha’s tenure as military Head of State was particularly bitter to him as he was actively involved in the Commonwealth Chambers of Commerce in his capacity as the Chairman of the Nigerian Chapter of the Royal Commonwealth Society for decades.

Chief S. L. Edu lived an accomplished, celebrated, contented and fulfilled life as a philanthropist, astral business icon, seasoned politician, benevolent educationist, foremost conservationist and environmentalist, devout Muslim and patriotic citizen whose prodigious accomplishments will continue to endure for generations to come. He was certainly a giant among giants in business and cornerstone builder in modern entrepreneurship in Nigeria.

•Prof. Siyan Oyeweso, Chief Edu’s biographer, writes from Osun State University, Osogbo.