Celebrating Frank Abiodun Aig-Imoukhuede at 90

“With long life, I satisfy him and show him my salvation” – Psalm 91:16

One of Nigeria’s preeminent public servants; celebrated journalist, writer, artist and poet, Frank Abiodun Aig-Imoukhuede, OON, turns 90 on Wednesday, January 8, 2025, a significant milestone in a long and chequered life. His family is rolling out the drums to celebrate him for his unparalleled attainments and memorable contributions to Nigeria. Uncle Frank, as he is fondly called by friends, associates and family, including the children, has been a household name in the contemporary Nigerian arts sector in the last five decades, having played prominent roles in the organization of FESTAC’77; the conception and building of the National Arts Theatre in Lagos and the formation of National Council of Arts and Culture, among others. He’s been practically involved in every aspect of the Nigerian art form since the end of the civil war, either as an administrator, collector, curator or connoisseur.

In his younger days, inspired by his father, Rev. Isaiah Aig-Imoukhuede who created the popular Yoruba children’s song, ‘’Iwe kiko, l’ai si oko’’; Uncle Frank was a prolific songwriter, a playwright who wrote several radio plays; a sculptor who won many prizes; a musician who played many instruments; a poet who wrote many poems, mostly in Pidgin English; a storyteller; photographer, who owned a dark room and a collector who kept many Nigerian artefacts at home.

“Our home was like many galleries; he had musical instruments from all over Africa; collected artefacts and even comics. In a week, he would buy up to 25 comics for every age group, and would read all of them,’’ recalls his first child, Prof Erekpitan Ola-Adisa, a professor of architecture at the University of Jos, in an hour-long conversation with me. She continued: “My dad thought that I was going to turn out as an artist; he introduced me to his friends who were artists, people like Ben Enwonwu; but even though I ended up cutting a different path, I am proud to say that what he taught me long ago has had immense impact on my career. I am very close to him; he mentored me; encouraged me and I can say that my professional growth was influenced by him.’’

Dark-complexioned and tall with sharp facial features, she is a spitting image of her father. “My dad found a kindred spirit in my mother,’’ she continued, remembering her mother who passed away in June 2021. Pastor (Mrs) Emily Aig-Imoukhuede was also an art aficionado, who built one of the first private galleries in Lagos. A former president of the Nigerian Council of Women Societies (NCWS), she was also a minister during the Ibrahim Babangida regime. Ola-Adisa describes her father as a fearless man of strong convictions who raised his children on the core values of honesty and hard work.

Uncle Frank was born to Rev. Isaiah Aigbovbioise and Eunice Aig-Imoukhuede in Edunabon, in what is now Ife North LGA of Osun state, the fifth child of six children. But he became the last child when two of his siblings died in infancy. Three short years later, his father died, leaving the young Frank in the care of his mother who ensured that he was well educated up to university level. Uncle Frank was born into royalty and nobility traceable from Oba Ozolua the Great, founder of the Sabongida Ora family ancestral homestead, who ruled Benin in the 15th century.

Little wonder that he grew up to become Nigeria’s repository of culture and arts. A loving family man, he sired four children who are successful in their chosen fields. Following the professor is Aigboje, the banker and philanthropist. Next is Kemi Balogun, the servant leader of Rebirth, a prayer ministry with worldwide reach, who is married to one of Nigeria’s leading investment bankers, Mobolaji Balogun. The last is Aigbovbioise, who works in financial advisory and is named after his grandfather. He’s married to Funke, a fashion entrepreneur with her own clothing line.

Over the Christmas holidays and well into January, the family has been busy putting together a reception to celebrate the new nonagenarian who had bequeathed so much for the children. In return, they adore him for varied reasons. “He was a good disciplinarian who taught me how to be independent very early in life,’’ said the last child Aigbovbioise, managing director of Coronation Asset Management Limited. “My dad taught me how to pay NEPA bill when I was 9 years old; and when I was in primary school, he made me pay my school fees on my own – he would give me his First Bank cheque; I would take it to the branch at Apongbon, near Marina, withdraw the cash; take it to school in Ikoyi and pay my school fees. I can say that he taught me the first principle of financial planning or planning for life which is cutting one’s coat according to its size. My dad was very particular about living within one’s means,’’ he recalls with that last-born excitement. “My older siblings used to act my father’s plays on TV, but my interest was reading the many comics he collected.”

Besides, Aigbovbioise enjoyed his father’s company during his travels around western Nigeria. “He would take me along on his trips to Ibadan; Abeokuta, and all around most of southern Nigeria,’’ he added.

Bolaji Balogun has a strong and cordial relationship with his father-in-law. He describes him as ‘’one of the best repositories of Nigeria’s art; culture and art history who is very knowledgeable about Nigeria and its history’’, and added, rather succinctly, ‘’he is a father; my friend and very easy going. He looks for and looks out for his children and grandchildren, and would always come to visit us at home and work’’.

The relationship between a young woman and her husband’s parents could be complicated in many ways, for many reasons. But for his daughter-in-law, Ofovwe Aig-Imoukhuede, Uncle Frank is a role model, a repository of family history, a humorist and a storyteller. Married to first son Aigboje means she would have to curate a special relationship with the old man. Herself the daughter of a prominent Urhobo public servant, Senator Fred Brume, Mrs Aig-Imoukhuede calls her father-in-law grandpa and holds him in high esteem and immense admiration.

“When I first met him, he seemed an imposing and distant figure who did not suffer fools gladly. However, as I got to interacting with him more, I found out that he was a deeply intelligent and personable family-oriented man, who has a passion for Nigeria’s culture and art; and is keen to share them with everyone around him,” she told me candidly.

She added matter-of-factly: “He is a repository of family history, and loves to tell stories of the Imoukhuede and Aig-Imoukhuede families, making sure that we all know who is who and sharing insights into the various family personalities. He also delights in studying all his grandchildren and revealing ways in which they are similar to family members who are no longer with us. As an avid art lover, he particularly enjoys talking about art with his grandchildren and encouraging their artistic pursuits.” Uncle Frank has 17 grandchildren, some of whom are budding writers whose writing skills can easily be traced to his input.

Mrs Aig-Imoukhuede is the executive vice chairman of the Aig-Imoukhuede Foundation, a charity she founded with her husband in 2015. Svelte and soft-spoken, she speaks passionately about her relationship with her father-in-law.

“He treats me very nicely, with love and affection; I have learned so much from him. I learned the importance of family from him and the essence of remembering our roots. I also came to appreciate the amazing culture of our country, much of which seems to be ignored or hardly talked about. Through his stories, I discovered a Nigeria that I had never encountered before, one that is rich with beautiful traditions that deserve to be celebrated more. Nigerians definitely need more people like him; people who help us to remember our traditions and keep them alive. His amazing books in which he catalogued Nigerian culture are vitally important and should be featured on coffee tables around the world.’’

In 2006, President Olusegun Obasanjo bestowed the Order of the Niger (OON) National Award on Uncle Frank in acknowledgement of his immense contributions to the development of Nigeria’s art and culture. He deserves more: an honourary doctorate degree from one of our universities and a road in Abuja, Lagos or Benin named after him would be a fitting recognition. The children should come together and write his biography, for his has been a life of virtue, integrity and enlightened thinking. As son-in-law Balogun says, “Nigeria does not understand or value its history and legacy, but his family, loved ones and friends are immensely proud of his contributions to our history”.