What can I say or write? Where should I even start from? Those are the questions I have had to ask myself in the last two days. In fact, it got to a point that it felt like I was dreaming until I saw your grave yesterday. Then it finally dawned on me that you are gone for good, that we can never see again till we meet to path no more.
But I can only take solace in the fact that death is inevitable or how can one explain your sudden exit?
I left home early on Thursday 20th October, 2016, that your death news hit me like hard rock.
Coincidentally, I was driving towards your house when the call came in. The voice at the other end was Dr. Seye Kehinde, the Publisher of City Magazine "Dare, how are you? How is Bola? We have not heard from her and we said we should cross check from you".
I responded quickly as usual, that she was very okay, that I was going to find out and get back to them on why her phone was off, knowing fully well that I was very close to her house.
Only for 'oga', as we normal address Dr Seye, to call me back and asked "like how many minutes should I expect your feedback". Still, I didn't sense something had gone wrong.
Not until another call came in almost immediately after oga's own and it was BKK Ultimo boss, Alhaji Bashir Kolawole Kuti who broke the news to me in a very low tone "Dare, how are you? They said Bola is dead o! As if I didn't hear him properly. Which Bola? The next thing I heard was what are we going to do now? I became so confused that no reasonable answer followed that particular question. I made another call and it was confirmed.
Bola Davies joined the saints on Wednesday 19th October, 2016. And her death brought to mind the great, dull and worst moments we've shared together. She was more than a boss to me; we bonded almost immediately I joined City People Ibadan office, as an Admin Staff, I was directly working under her supervision.
The relationship, within a short space of time, transformed from being colleagues to a family bond. My problem was her problem, while I reciprocated in the same manner. We were each other's best friend and confidant. There was hardly a day passed by without seeing each other.
Even sometimes when I felt we were fighting she would call to blast me, "Dare, Iwo lo mo malice t'o n keep o! gist dey, how soon can you come over to my place? I give you 30 minutes." My house is just about 10 minutes drive to hers.
She trained and encouraged me to be writing stories, as nothing was too much to achieve with her. I could still remember vividly the very first assignment she gave me. The assignment was to get something done with the then first lady of Oyo State, Chief (Mrs) Mutiat Olayinka Ladoja. I was on a 6 months probation without the company's identity card. After the project was executed she said yes! "I like your zeal, it seems you are ready for this job."
That and many other assignments I carried out for the company made my confirmation faster than usual.
We formed a very powerful team together afterwards; Sister Bola, myself and Wole Adejumo, my senior colleague and brother (my Editor).
The team, through Bola Davies' exemplary leadership, became so strong and performed excellently well in terms of story writing and events planning. Ibadan office was at its best.
She was a kind of person that will do all it requires to bring out the best in you no matter how painful or stressful it may be. And that actually propelled me to becoming an awards winning staff.
She was always there for me up till the time I was transferred to Osun State as City People's Correspondent, she still stood by me despite the challenges here and there.
I must also say that I benefited immensely from her generosity, I can't even start talking about that now but her L.G microwave (which was my first) she dashed me is still functioning several years after.
With Bola Davies, getting the job done was the goal no matter how difficult it may be at times.
"When you are not a spy! You are a society reporter. You must go out, you must go to parties and you must meet people." Those wordskept re-vibrating in my head now. I can't count the number of times you said those words to me as I'm not an outgoing person naturally. Truly, I later realised the power in networking, most especially as a journalist.
Bola Davies, you were an accomplished journalist; highly intelligent, beautiful, a fashionista, socialite per excellence, bridge-builder, an amazing and dynamic woman of high quality.
My heart goes to your family at this very moment and I pray that God will give them the fortitude to bear the irreplaceable loss, including us, your loved ones.
The City People family will miss you, my wife, my daughters will miss you as there is no going to be "dad, let's go to Sister Bola's house" again. The Ice Cream, Rice Crisppies and co will not come from you to them anymore.
I will miss you the most, my Omobolanle Olufunke Davies (Nee Ogunsuyi), my gist partner, my friend, my sister, my boss.
I'm not going to get the 'strong-worded text messages' from you anymore.
Lastly, I'm sure the little secret I kept away from you must have become clearly open to you now; the letter through which you recommended me for query and asked me to help you drop at Lagos office never got there. I still have it with me. Wole Adejumo knew about it anyways.
Once more, thanks for the training and discipline you instilled in us.
Adieu dear sister!
Adieu dear sister!
