Odillo my man!
The first time I spoke to retired Malawi Defence Force (MDF) Commander General Henry Odillo was sometime last year. It was on the phone. Struck with awe, I had to kneel down as rivulets of sweat ran down my face and armpits. He was not an ordinary person guys. Here, I was talking to the Army big gun. But alas! When I introduced myself, he surprised me with a cheery and warm response: “Yes mphwanga ‘If I were’ Garry, ukuti bwanji?”
From then on, I would engage him freely on matters relating to sports, especially football, at times forgetting that I was speaking to the whole Army Commander, probably because it was a matter of a general interacting with a ‘fellow’ general because during my childhood days, I had my own small ‘army’ in the crazy world of toy guns and I felt proud as I watched my troops marching, as I barked ‘Left! Right, Left! Right! Aboooout Turn!
And I need not remind you that when I shot my enemies, they would fall head long and ‘die’, but the same did not apply to me as I told them I was bullet-proof. The reason I did not realise my dream of becoming a real soldier was the discouraging tale of soldiers having to endure long, cold and lonely nights away from their spouses in times of war.
Odillo has come to mind after reading Raw Stuff’s special tribute to him in Weekend Nation. Of course, Raw Stuff already did it to perfection, but I felt I could do it in my own small way as well though belatedly by saluting a ‘fellow’ general.
Not long ago, it was not possible for MDF athletes to be allowed to pursue their sporting careers elsewhere, but it all changed when Odillo took the mantle and we saw Dave Banda playing professional football in South Africa.
It was also during Odillo’s reign that we saw Army teams such as Kamuzu Barracks and Mafco winning silverware with ease because they were motivated in several ways, unlike in the past when the only motivation they would get were tins of beef. By the way, MDF soldiers are also now able to throw rounds of beer. We have also seen boxers such as Chimwemwe Chiotcha, Osgood Kayuni and Wilson Masamba being offered jobs because of their finesse in the ring.
For that, I salute you my fellow General! I know I have not seen the last of you because I hear you are into golf now. Glory be to God. Uloliwe..Uloliwe wayidudula hii…Neng’asiza [The train is pushing].
