“Don’t Taunt the Poor”: How a 2004 Trip to England with Late Olubadan Reshaped Senator Fatai Buhari’s Life

In a stirring tribute that captivated the audience at the Ibadan Cultural Festival, Senator Fatai Buhari revealed the profound moment his worldview was shattered and rebuilt by the late Olubadan of Ibadan Land, Oba Lekan Balogun. Speaking before the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII), Senator Buhari recounted a 2004 journey to London that served as a masterclass in humility, financial prudence, and the ethics of leadership.

The story began on the high streets of England, where a younger Buhari attempted to lead the monarch through the glittering aisles of luxury boutiques like Salvatore Ferragamo and Louis Vuitton. Despite the prestige of Bond Street, the late Oba Balogun remained unimpressed by the exorbitant price tags of designer footwear, questioning why such wealth should be spent on a single item of vanity.

The turning point occurred when the duo stepped into a Clarks shoe store, where the monarch discovered a pair of durable, thick-soled shoes. Senator Buhari described his initial shock when the Olubadan pointed out that three pairs of the sturdy Clarks shoes cost less than a single designer pair from the previous shops.

In a moment that Senator Buhari defines as a pivotal “turning point,” the monarch turned the purchase into a life lesson. As he paid for the shoes in oxblood, brown, and black, Oba Balogun told him that the collective lifespan of those three pairs would far outlast the luxury alternative, emphasizing that true value lies in substance rather than status.

The monarch then delivered the piece of advice that Senator Buhari claims has been a guiding principle throughout his career: “When you have it, don’t flaunt it in front of the people that don’t have.” The late Olubadan further cautioned the Senator against using his success to taunt or intimidate the less fortunate—a philosophy Buhari credits for his dedication to his constituents and the people of Ibadan.

This revelation sheds new light on Senator Buhari’s public service, framing his advocacy and legislative focus not just as a political choice, but as a direct inheritance from the wisdom of the late monarch. As he pledged to continue his philanthropic efforts by providing for more families in the coming weeks, the Senator underscored that the best lessons in leadership are often found in the simplest choices, such as the soles of a pair of shoes.