Femi Fani-Kayode, a former Nigerian minister, has penned a deeply personal tribute to Prince Nazir Ado Ibrahim, a close friend and brother figure who recently passed away. In a lengthy reflection, Fani-Kayode recounts a 60-year bond filled with shared adventures, from childhood in Lagos to wild nights in London and New York, and laments the loss of a generation that once embodied wealth, power, and unity.
A Brotherhood Forged in Childhood
Fani-Kayode describes Prince Nazir as the "living symbol of my lost childhood" and a bridge between Nigeria's North and South. Prince Nazir, an Ebira prince from Kogi State, spoke Yoruba fluently yet was proud of his northern heritage. The two grew up together, sharing experiences at Atta Lodge in Yaba, Lagos, and later in the United Kingdom, where they frequented exclusive clubs and faced police scrutiny over their flashy cars.
Their bond was forged through shared adventures and dangers. Fani-Kayode recalls how they fought back-to-back against assailants, communicated in code, and survived the "dark side" together. They learned to ride horses, played polo, and navigated the rough streets of Lagos in luxury cars.
Memories of a Golden Era
The tribute is replete with vivid memories of nightclubs such as Legends, Tramp, and Studio 54, and restaurants like the Good Earth Chinese Restaurant and Mr. Chow's. Fani-Kayode recalls visiting Prince Nazir in Geneva, New York, and driving to Syracuse to meet their friend Des Braithwaite. He remembers the Porsche 928S and the police questioning their wealth.
Fani-Kayode also lists a litany of friends from their elite circle, including Azad Ado Ibrahim, Des Braithwaite, Tonye Amachree, and many others, describing them as "the best of the best and the brightest of the brightest." He notes that Prince Nazir later became his in-law after he married Saratu 'Baby' Atta, the prince's cousin.
The Decline of Nigeria's Economy
Amid the personal memories, Fani-Kayode starkly contrasts the past with Nigeria's present economic woes. He states that in their youth, one naira equaled one dollar, but today, 1,400 naira equals one dollar—a devaluation of 99.93 percent. He calculates that one million naira in 1980 was worth one million dollars, but today it is worth just $726. Conversely, one million dollars today buys 1.3 billion naira. "Inflation has done its worst over the decades and our nation has been pauperised and brought to its knees!" he writes, urging faith that recovery is possible.
A Final Farewell
Fani-Kayode concludes by committing his brother to God, praying for forgiveness and eternal peace. "I miss you already. I miss our fellowship. I miss our shared experiences and our many secrets," he writes, addressing Prince Nazir as "Suku Su." He acknowledges their generation as a "dwindling" one and asks the prince to greet those who crossed before him, including his own brother, the late Rotimi Fani-Kayode.
Femi Fani-Kayode is a former Minister of Culture and Tourism, former Minister of Aviation, former Senior Special Assistant on Public Affairs and spokesman to President Olusegun Obasanjo, Nigeria's Ambassador-Designate to South Africa, and holds traditional titles including Sadaukin Shinkafi and Aare Ajagunla of Otun Ekiti.
