There is a street in Surulere Lagos, the street was named after a very clever,brilliant and resourceful young lawyer named Bode Thomas.
Chief Bode Thomas was a Nigerian lawyer, statesman,politician and traditional aristocrat. He was a noble man and a privy counsellor of historic Oyo clan.
He was called to bar in 1942 and he came back to Nigeria to establish what became a successful practice in Lagos with the likes of Rotimi Williams and Chief Remilekun Fani Kayode.
He became the first Nigeria minister of transportation in 1951 and also the Balogun of Oyo in 1949.
He was an ingenious lawyer but very rude, ill mannered and arrogant which hassled his relationship with Obafemi Awolowo, Ahmadu Bello and Alaafin Adeniran Adeyemi the II.
It was recorded that he displayed an unruly attitude to Alaafin Adeniran Adeyemi the II at Oyo divisional council meeting just because Alaafin did not stand up with regards to him. While others stood up, Alaafin sat down due to traditional norms. He then shouted at Alaafin in a rude way he said;
“Why were you sitting when I walked in?,you don’t know how to show regards for people at all”
As at then, Chief Bode Thomas was just 30 years old while Alaafin was 60 years old. You can see that Alaafin was even old enough to be his father.
Alaafin replied him, he said;
“Se emi lon bawi baun?” which means “am I the one you’re referring to in that manner?”
Chief Bode Thomas replied him again in English language because he knew that Alaafin would not understand. Alaafin then replied him by saying;
“Maa gbo lo” which is being interpreted as “keep on barking” This controversy happened on Nov 22nd 1953. Immediately Chief Bode Thomas got home, he started barking like a dog, he barked all through the night and died.
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