King Solomon’s relationships were a masterclass in ancient diplomacy, every marriage sealed a treaty and brought peace. Each wedding was practically a “state meeting” with a side of cake! Baltasar Engonga, the disgraced Equatorial Guinea finance ministry official, however, took a different path. Instead of strategic alliances, he seemed more interested in, shall we say, personal adventures. With married partners and a camera rolling, he seemed to be more into spy games than peacemaking. While Solomon was building a kingdom, Engonga was collecting…well, footage.
Solomon’s entourage of wives and concubines was seen as a sign of his status, strength, and political savvy. He practically invented the “royal entourage.” But Engonga? His choice of companions has left everyone less in awe and more in “Oh no!” When Solomon walked in with his royal spouses, people bowed; when Engonga’s alleged videos leaked, people cringed. Solomon may have been a bit of a charmer, but Engonga’s charm is buried under a heap of scandal!
Solomon’s kingdom knew about his relationships, they were front-page news in his era’s scrolls! His palace was open, filled with royals who were there to show solidarity, not secrecy. Engonga’s “relationships,” though, came with a twist: a hidden camera and a lot of mystery. Where Solomon was strategic, Engonga seemed more like a low-budget spy, capturing moments that nobody wanted to see. Who knew he was interested in documenting his legacy quite so literally?
Solomon’s legacy was one of wisdom, with stories of his judgment passed down for centuries. He left a blueprint for kingship. Engonga? He may have left a whole different kind of blueprint on what not to do when it comes to discretion in high office. While Solomon’s reputation for alliances has inspired generations, Engonga’s escapades remind us all that some “alliances” are better left off the record. Solomon showed us how to build a kingdom; Engonga, on the other hand, showed us how to make headlines!
In the end, Solomon may have taken many wives to build a kingdom, while Engonga’s antics look more like a reality show gone wrong. Solomon used marriage as a strategy; Engonga seems to have taken “strategic error” to new heights!
Afolabi Williams is a financial industry information technology expert who holds a Bachelor of Technology degree in Computer Science from the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University and a Master of Science degree in Multimedia and Interactive Systems from Napier University, Edinburgh, Scotland. He is a Senior Management Program (Class 36) graduate of the Lagos Business School (LBS) and a member of Lagos Country Club, Ikeja. Afolabi is one of the founding members of The Trent’s Elite Voices and he blogs at Folabi Williams.
The opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author.
