Meeting the Black Baron of Paris.

Have you ever had acute boredom in your life?

I don't mean the one hour boredom, i mean days of boredom, of doing nothing. No television to watch, no novel to read, dry pocket, dead phones, dead laptop, no work to do, no action in the neighbourhood, just starring at the ceiling,  for two days straight.

Yep. I saw it this week. I nearly saw it this weekend but thank God for the Black Baron of Paris, i mean meeting him; it was the only thrilling thing that has happened to me in two days. It is uber thrilling when the person is one of those persons that inspires you from afar.

So who is the Black Baron of Paris (his twitter handle)?

I won't take your time. He is simply Onyeka Nwelue. If you're in the literary, filming or music world, chances are you might've probably read or seen something he did in these circles. He is troublesome, can snub online *he is yet to accept my friend request for years now*, thinks out of box, articulate and challenging. He keeps you on his wall for hours with satires and jokes about Nigeria, Africa and other continents. The exceptional thing about Onyeka is this; he dropped out of University here in Nigeria, but today, he is a visiting lecturer to University of Hong Kong. Is he not a magician? When i mentioned this to his ears today; he asked me with some mischievous smiles, "how are you sure that i didn't complete that degree?"
He is also the author of the award winning novel, Abyssinian Boy, Burnt and his latest, Hip Hop is Only for Children that has been reviewed by the topshots in literary world. He is also the CEO of a Record Label, La Cave, and a filmmaker(i hope i got that right?). Another thing you gotta give to this dreadlocked young man is his penchant for globe-trotting. From Lagos to Accra, Kampala to Budapest, Prague to India, Paris to Mexico. All for his passion. I guess that was how he got the nickname.

Meeting him.

Earlier today, I saw a post on Nwilo Bura-Bari's wall (author of Diary of a Stupid Boyfriend) about Onyeka being in UNN. My eyes popped out and i quickly sent him a message. He promised to help arrange a meeting with him. Around 2:30pm, he gave me a call and asked to come over to where they are hanging out.

Well, truth is, on my way, about to enter the venue, i became nervous. But who wouldn't? Especially judging him with his posts? I already had this imagery of an arrogant and intelligent snub whose beard became his crown of swag. He may even probably make joke about how i am dressed, walk or talk. I was really fidgety. But i consoled myself that i wanted to meet this guy. Accept his thrash and get what you want. His knowledge and views. My final verdict as i was at a walking range from where Nwilo and his crew sat.

Even in the crowd, Onyeka always looks outstanding. His dreads, beard, african inspired clothes and jewelries, separates him from others. If he is not a writer and into entertainment, he would've been a proper Rasta Bob Marley disciple. Like the I and I yea man. Lol. Another thing was the freeness and his air of acceptability. I saw all this at just few glances at their table. But still, i was still nervous.

Nwilo introduced me to the crew. He turned to Onyeka and told him about my literature and advocacy love. To my greatest surprise, the Baron picked it from there. Seriously, it is not good to judge a book by its cover and how it appears on Social Media and internet. You will be surprised by its content at even its preliminary pages.

"Really? That's so nice" Onyeka face blossomed  as he motioned that we take a walk. Away from his crew.

"Are you my friend on Facebook?" he asked, increasing the watt of his smile.

"No, but i follow your posts."

I mentioned his article for Wole Soyinka's 80th birthday, how i  felt new after reading it, his famous quote about Nigerian musicians in his new book, Hip Hop is Only for Children: "Many musicians in Nigeria fake it till they make it".

I also told him he will read about our meeting on the blog, he pulled me in for a warm embrace. He asked for the name and said he is expecting.

At that point, i asked him one of the questions i formed in my head for him for a longtime.

"How related are you to Catherine Acholonu?"

He grinned and told me plainly, "i am not related to her. We just happened to do a project together and she introduced me to the shrine of Ogbuide, you know she  was not a christian?"

I nodded.

He called a fellow, Max and continued.

"...he is a fellow both of us worked together with her"

Max, a guy that  looked more like an Ethiopian than a Nigerian, which i failed to tell him, has joined in the conversation. From that point, i went mute and watched two friends that have developed and built bond over years argue. I nodded and i smiled when the conversation warranted it.

Before he left and went  to meet another group waiting for him, i specifically dragged Max, now an acquaintance, to help me with the visual memory of my meeting with the Baron.

I stayed some more, but that exclusive time for me was already spent,  and left later,  with him telling me how pleased he is to see me.

I regretted not getting an autograph after i left but again, i remembered that i am yet to get access to his books. I will one day. That was a promise i have made sometime ago. I will.

So finally, i have something exciting to reminisce about for sometime.