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Nigerians were quick to slam TV Presenter, Tosin Odunfa after he left a message on Instagram claiming he was the “Bobo Fine” Toyin Cole described in his narrative.
TheNewsGuru recalls that Tonye Cole shared his experience about a young man who ‘disrespected’ the revered Wole Soyinka by asking for him (Soyinka) to leave his allotted seat which the professor sat on.
While many lashed out at the “Bobo Fine” described by Tonye Cole, Odunfa deceived many by claiming he is the young man Mr Cole described in his story.
According to him: “I am the young guy! Yes the one in question with a baseball cap and t-shirt. I am unashamed to be at the prime of my youth infact I blushed a little bit after reading your decription of my chest and muscles. Is thanks to strong discipline that I live a fit life and I am able to go to the gym on my tight schedule,” Odunfa wrote.
“Prof didn’t mind getting up and infact he confided in me as we chatted later on the flight that he would have done the same and that he was more embarrassed by the undue attention. Prof and I actually have a few things in common, we are both in academia, I have a PhD in electrical engineering and teach nano electromagnetic theory at the University of Mannittawiw. He said to me that he thinks that Nigerian youth need to stand up more for themselves than we do and he spoke to me about the ideals they tried to promote when he cofounded a secret society in his youth . I have read up on him now and know for sure that Wole Soyinka is a great man but I sadly was not taught about him in school.
“We exchanged contact information and I will certainly stay in touch. Please note that I am on the Autism spectrum and need the view from the window to keep me from getting sick on the plane hence my insisting on taking the window seat. Finally, Brother Tonye the words on your lap are very inspiring “Everything you want is on the other side of not giving up.”
The Mo Abudu connection
Mo Abudu in the comment section of Cole’s narrative had lashed out at the supposed “Bobo Fine” saying he disrespected Soyinka by telling him to vacate his seat.
On Tuesday, 25th of June ,the EbonyLife TV CEO explained that Soyinka sent her a message refuting having any conversation with the young man.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BzIr1LSABIG/
“Quite a bit has been said about me making certain comments about the young man that refused to give up his seat for Professor Wole Soyinka,” Abudu wrote.
“I will not comment further on this, however as you all know I LOVE and RESPECT Professor Wole Soyinka dearly.
“Based on this incident, I did receive an email from Professor Wole Soyinka this morning and with his permission, its below:
“’Hallo Mo,
Someone sent me Patrick Tonye’s comment on the plane incident, and I saw your brief comment. It was a very minor thing and I’d forgotten all about it. However, after reading the boy’s response, I became curious. First, I never exchanged a word with him throughout beyond inviting him to take his allotted seat. Never spoke a word to him after that. Certainly never exchanged contact. So of course, I wonder if it’s the very individual who’s posted this or a total fake. The phenomenon of stolen identities takes very strange dimensions and has become a source of worry. I wonder if this is one such. Any way of your finding out. I don’t operate in the social media as you probably recall”
Odunfa unmasked
After Odunfa’s statement went viral and Nigerians discovered they have been fooled by his comment wondering why a person with his educational background would not know Soyinka, the only Nigerian to have won the Nobel laureate prize, the outspoken media personality owned up saying he was only trying to defend the young man’s action.
Lastly, there’s nothing satirical about @TosinOdunfa usurping such a weighty public discourse. Its a misplaced sense of humour that should offend our sensibilities & seen as disrespectful. But, he’s young, has the fame, and he’s our friend. So we laughed it off that he fooled us.
— Son of David (@DrOlusesan) June 25, 2019
https://www.instagram.com/p/BzHU4r_g7QF/
In his words: “Youth are often viewed with disdain even when they are highly skilled and experienced, Ageism is a real threat to a vibrant future because the best may be excluded from leadership if they happen to be young,” he said.
“The real #bobofine’s character was assassinated without trial. He needed a fall guy and I volunteered through #Satire and I created a #PlausibleScenario todrive home my point.
“We are all #bobofine! The story creates a plausible scenario of defence for young people who are often judged too quickly.
“An even deeper take away is the point that youth have to rise up and realize that there is a clear and present threat to the quality of their future.
“This threat is embodied by a dysfunctional society that favours ageing-patriarchy (old men) who are not aware of the damage they are doing to our potential. Women are at risk too.”