MADIBA IS NOT EXACTLY A HERO

Nelson Rolihlala Mandela, the foremost South African leader died on the 5th December, 2013 from a lung infection. The world stood still, flags began flying at half mast and world leaders began sending in their condolences to the family of the man who somehow became the only turning point in the history of the black nation. Like Martin Luther King Jnr, Frederick Douglas and their likes, Madiba as he is fondly called stood up to white dominance, they made unflinching dedication to the course of the black people and today, thanks to them, the black race can say we amount to something.
However, as the mourning continues, I believe a few points of observation will be necessary at this crucial time in world history. Contrary to widespread beliefs, I do not exactly believe Nelson Mandela was a hero. He achieved remarkable things, stood out in history as one of the greatest that ever lived, yet to me he is not a hero.....HE IS FAR MORE! He surpasses the definition of a hero, his personality goes far beyond that of a legend, he is worth more in living and even in dying.
We should ask ourselves, what exactly does the name Madiba mean? Madiba is a South African title of respect for South Africa’s most famous icon, Nelson Rolihlala Mandela. While alive, Nelson Mandela was affectionately called Madiba by South Africans and people outside his country. Madiba is the name of the XHOSA tribe in South Africa that Mandela belonged to. In that region of Africa, naming a man after the name of his tribe is considered one of the greatest honours that can be given to a man. So Mandela was just not a hero, he was and will always be an embodiment of the values, the hopes and the aspirations of the African people.
Prior to the year 1990, Mandela had spent 27 years of his life in prison because he stood up to challenge the inhuman policies of the apartheid regime in South Africa. I examined this situation and I realized not many men alive can suffer such lengthy incarceration for the cause of his people and come back out fighting the same cause. This tells me, that Madiba was not just a hero; he qualifies to be considered a good believer in Christ and in God. He persevered, suffered just so his people could be free...Mandela was not a hero, he was and will remain so in dying, AN APOSTLE OF CHRIST.
At the expiration of his first tenure as President of South Africa in 1999, he refused to seek re-election. In his words to Olusegun Obasanjo, “Olu, show me one country in the world whose President is 84 years old”. Obviously, Madiba was still not aware of the greedy tendencies of the likes of Robert Mugabe and Paul Biya, yet he believed it was abysmal for a person to rule a nation at such advanced stages. Madiba was not just a hero, he was and will always be a model for governance, a reference point, a lesson in good manners for the likes of Mugabe, Eyadema family and the Biyas of Cameroon.
Madiba once said, “A man’s success is not in how many times he falls but in how many times he falls and rises again”. That statement directly speaks to many and speaks to me too, that failure is not final. He could have said this theoretically, yet, his life was a practical example of falling and rising after every fall. To me, Mandela was just not a hero, his life is a practical example of determination and persistence...the traits people like me need most.
I could go on and on....but as Obama said, “he no longer belongs to us; he now belongs to the ages”. When the roll is called up yonder, I believe Madiba will be counted as one of those through which God sent to man, the gift of freedom and equality for all men. His name is printed in gold, for the Mugabes, the Biyas, the Eyademas, the Jonathans, the Assads and their likes to see. When a great man bows out, then death beckons on little men to hasten up and do something. Mandela is out, I sincerely hope we do something to this crumbling world of ours.
Adieu Madiba...go take your place behind the stars!

ALAKISA N JO L'ORU...BO PE ILE A MO L'OLA!

I was a little younger than this when this wonderful home video was produced; it was titled ‘Saworo Ide’ meaning ‘Brass bell’ (I sincerely hope my interpretation will find favour with Yoruba linguists). I do not intend to rubbish the efforts of today’s actors, actresses and movie producers but I must sincerely say the films of nowadays can hardly compare with the soundness of the ‘Saworo Ide’ storyline. It was one wonderful piece of art.
In one of the scenes of the film, the prolific Yoruba elder statesman, Adebayo Faleti mockingly sang a song to one of the Chiefs of Oba Lapite (Kayode Oyewo). The song went this way, ‘alakisa n jo l’oru, bo pe ile a mo l’ola’ meaning ‘the man in rags is dancing in the middle of the night, no matter how long it takes, day will break tomorrow’. The man in rags could dance in the middle of the night truly, at least the darkness of the night would have made it impossible to see him in rags, but no matter how long it takes, when day breaks, the world will clearly see that he is still in rags and his shame will be uncovered.
I sincerely hope I did not confuse you with the funny analogy because that analogy is not the exact destination of this discourse. The destination of this discuss is the way that analogy applies to every evil doer who thinks for some instantaneous reasons, their evils will not be blown open. I have a very bad news for such people, when the truth is let loose just like daybreak in the analogy, their shame will no know bounds and the world will see them for the evil doers that they are.
All evil political office holders in Nigeria should get ready, daybreak is almost here and they will soon be put to shame, likewise all political leaders and their cohorts, light has almost come and darkness will have to give way. Let this warning sound clearly in the ears of the PDP manipulators and the APC liars, the APGA pretenders and the ACCORD sycophants, the LABOUR hypocrites and the DPP deceivers, let them know that when the freedom bell jingles, they will all be making merry in their prison cells. Let the warning sound and sound aloud, that when Karma comes around, alakisa won to n jo l’oru, bo pe ile a mo l’ola.
This warning bell should be sound aloud in the ears of Ogbeni Aregbesola, his cohorts and his blind-folded praise-singers, that when the justice bell sounds, a blanket of lies will not be sufficient to cover their naked shame. Let them know that the lies about the true amount of debt Osun State is in, the bogus contracts for the construction of Mega Schools, the propaganda about road construction that is leading to more flag-offs and no commissioning, let them know all these lies will soon be blown open and when day breaks, all lies will be exposed and all liars will go on vacation to prison.
Sound the warning bell to Stella Adaeze-Oduah, the woman with serious love for bullet-proof BMWs, let her know that when day breaks, no GEJ will be able to shield her from the repercussions of her wasteful spending and corruption. Assure her that she will have no place to run to when her shame is exposed, let her know.
Tell all the Tinubus, the Edwin Clarks, the Asari Dokubos, the hawks of the Nigerian political class that day will soon break and their rags will be seen. GEJ should watch his dancing steps, let this warning sound clear in his ears, that when what goes around comes around, he will languish in someplace worse than the Island of Patmos if he does not watch his steps.
Alakisa n jo l’oru, bo pe ile a mo l’ola.............  

I-BUCK FREE SKILL ACQUISITION PROGRAMME

Over the past few months we have attempted to execute free skill acquisition programmes in and around Ejigbo Local Government of Osun State, Nigeria.

The skills package includes Graphics and Web Design, Make-up Artistry, Wireworks, Animal Feed Production, Fish farming on large and medium scale, pig farming, snail farming and a host of others.

Each time we tried, technical difficulties made it impossible for us to proceed. However, after fine-tuning the entire process, we are ready to attempt executing this programme in a bid to better the lots of the vast population of unemployed youths in Nigeria.

To pre-register for a seat in this programme, send a mail to ibuckresources@gmail.com containing your name and phone number or you may send same as a text message to 08025885374. Let's come learn together!

Team I-BUCK

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MONARCHS ARE TO PLAY THE ROLE OF POLITICAL OBSERVERS - HRH OBA SAKARIYAU OWOLABI OLADIMEJI 1, THE OLUKA ORANGUN OF IKA-EJIGBO

In our bid to bring Royalty closer to the people and portray Nigerian traditional rulers in the true light of fathers and community leaders that they are, our team had an exclusive interview session with the Oluka Orangun of Ika, Ejigbo Local Government Area, Osun State Nigeria on the 14th day of October, 2013. In this all-encompassing interview, the distinguished Monarch bares his mind on various issues pertaining to the ancient Ika town and his dreams of making Ika a better place during his reign. This interview that also touched on the culture, taboo and tradition of Ika people was not just satisfying but very educating. See excerpts below:

TO DOWNLOAD THE INTERVIEW IN AUDIO FORMAT, PLEASE CLICK HERE

1.       Can we meet you sir?

I am Alayeluwa, Oba Sakariyau Owolabi Oladimeji 1, the Oluka Orangun of Ika, Ejigbo Local Government.

2.    We believe you must have had a very interesting childhood. Can you let us in on your childhood background?

Smiles...Well, I cannot describe my childhood as a smooth one, Infact it was the grace of God that saw me through those days. When my mother died in the year 1960, the responsibility of taking care of me fell solely on my aged father who was already very sick at the time. He tried his best though, but when he could no longer combine managing his health condition with taking care of a little boy, he had to hand me over to my mother’s younger sister who took me to my mother’s family house (Babasale Compound, Ejigbo).

Ilorin:    February of 1961, my elder brother, Mustapha Oladimeji who was at the time working in a cloth factory in Ilorin as an apprentice sought the permission of his boss to have me come and live with him. The boss, an Ijesa man, consented to the request and gave him the permission to bring me in. Thus, in February 1961, my brother Mustapha came to pick me and took me to Ilorin with him.

3.       So, Kabiyesi, did you in the course of your sojourn in Ilorin have access to Education?

Yes, I had access to Primary Education while I was in Ilorin with my brother. I attended St. John’s Primary School, Idofian between 1962 to 1969 and that was the only school education I ever had.

4.       How come you did not have access to Education beyond Primary School? Was it that you lost interest or there was not sponsor?

It was in the year 1969 that Alhaji Yusuf Olorunkemi Agbalaya advised my brother to allow me move to Lagos so that I can make a living for myself too. At the time, things were not so easy and it was just right for me to take the opportunity to pursue greener pastures.

Lagos:   In the year 1969, month of May precisely, I moved down to Lagos into the house of Jimoh Adisa Olobi, the elder brother of Alhaji Yusuf Olorunkemi Agbalaya. Jimoh Olobi’s wife, Taibatu Gbeleola Adisa parented me and took very good care of me such that she was nearly a mother figure to me. Later in the year, Adisa Olobi decided it was best for me to go and learn a trade so that I can earn a living too and he took me to Sandcross where they sell fish, where I was to be an apprentice for the next five (5) months.

While I was working in Sandcross and earning fifteen (15) shillings, I met an old friend (we met in Idofian) who at the time was working in a bakery. The bakery apprenticeship looked so enticing to me because of the amount of money my friend told me they earned per day so I decided to join the bakery where this my friend was working. When I discussed with Yusuf Olorunkemi, he rejected the idea on the grounds that I was too young to begin making my own decisions on where or how I worked. Eventually, he reluctantly consented but insisted I was not going to work where my friend worked but he will take me to a friend of his who owned a bakery. He took me there and I began my journey as a baker which was to take me another four (4) years. I saved 300 Naira in the course of my work there and decided to move on after four years because I discovered I was working too hard and earning too little.

My first shop:    After four years as an apprentice in the bakery Yusuf Olorunkemi took me to, I decided to use the 300 Naira savings I had to establish a shop of my own. Alhaji Hassan Agbalaya, son of Yusuf Olorunkemi Agbalaya helped me secure a shop in Malu Road, Ajegunle and he introduced me to the book selling business that he was into at the time. So, I began selling books and I was in that business for three more years.

My Marriage:    On December 15, 1977 I got married to my first wife Taibatu Oladimeji of Olukola compound Ejigbo through Hassan Oladimeji, my elder brother.

The shop in Oluwole:     After three years of selling books, I began thinking of another line of business as I felt the book selling business was not bringing enough profit. So, I approached Sule Olanrewaju Ajao who I had also known from Idofian. He found a small shop for me in Oluwole area of Lagos and introduced me to the cloth selling business. I began selling imported shirts and trousers which Alhaji Abdul Aremu from Ilala, Kwara State was helping me transport. Not long after, 1979 precisely, Obasanjo placed an embargo on importation and difficulties came for those of us who were selling imported goods. Before the ban on importation, I already had 3000 Naira in savings and I felt luck was finally smiling on me. But after the importation, business became so bad that I ran into a debt of around 52,000 Naira. These difficulties made me decide to leave the cloth selling business also.

Building Materials Venture in Mushin: Once I decided to leave the cloth selling business, I went to meet Alhaji Agbalaya in Mushin who was in the building materials business. He wanted to introduce me to the business but I needed 10,000 Naira capital so I had to run to Alhaji Adebayo Adisa, the son of Alhaji Adisa Olobi. He gave me the capital and some very good advice. Alhaji Agbalaya introduced me to the building materials business and in no time I started importing building materials from Belgium. I imported my goods from Belgium for ten (10) years. Later, China became the world power in the manufacturing sector and their products were cheaper than Belgium too. I became the first building materials dealer in Lagos to have sold Made in China glass and since those late 80s, I have been doing business with Chinese people in the building materials sector.

5.       Claps....We must confess, you have answered our questions beyond expectation sir, taking us through the entire timeline of your rise to greatness, and God will grant you renewed strength sir. Sir, but how did your journey to the throne begin?

When in October 6, 2010 Oba Olosunde Emmanuel went to join his forefathers, I came home because I was very close to him before his death. When I left the palace where I went to offer my condolences, the Oosa of Ika invited me to his house and told me “ewu ti won bo sile yii o, iwo naa lo le wo o” meaning “this cloth that he (the dead Oluka) has put off, you are the only one who can wear it o”. He told me I should prepare to be the next king. I vehemently opposed the idea and told him I had no intention of becoming king.

                Again, Osolo called me some weeks after and told me he had a dream that I became king. To ward off the propositions they were making, I encouraged Waheed Jimoh, a younger brother of mine to go and contest for the Oluka stool. In the course of all these happenings, I came to Ika to discuss developmental issues with the Chiefs and while we were discussing, Ika people, old and young, women and children came singing to my house calling me Oluka, Kabiyesi etc. I started crying and it seemed it was from that day that it became clear to me that there was nothing I could do to reject the throne.

6.       During the reign of Oba Olosunde Emmanuel sir, the Ika king was referred to as Oluka. But since you ascended the throne six months ago, you have taken up the title ‘Oluka Orangun’. What exactly is the correct title of the Ika king?

....smiles... Well, you asked a good question. I think I should take you through the history of Ika town so that you can fully understand what the correct thing should be. You see, the Ika people were originally Ila people (Ila-Orangun, Osun State). We left Ila-Orangun when there was a kingship tussle between our people and another family. When we got to Ejigbo, the then Ogiyan pointed his finger at this spot where Ika is located (Ogiyan na ika si ibi yi) and that was why we adopted the name ‘Ika’ meaning ‘ibi ti Oba na ika si’ (where the King pointed his finger).

                Due to the name of the town, it will be correct to give the ‘Oluka’ title to the king of Ika. However, we must try as much as possible to reflect our true background in the title of the king and that is why we have sought the consent of Ogiyan of Ejigbo land and currently seeking that of the State Government to officially adopt the title ‘Oluka Orangun’ of Ika land which will help us keep in touch with our ancestral Ila-Orangun lineage.

7.       Is there any taboo or ancestral fact related to Ika town?

Ika people have been granted freedom by God to live life to the fullest without inhibitions by taboos. However, there is this Olokun river in Ika. No matter how much you cook any fish caught in that river, it never gets done. Fishes from that river whether caught by an indigene or a stranger can never get done. We do not know why or how that came to be but that is how it has always been.

8.       Has the Ika indigenes been supportive since you ascended the throne?

Alhamdulillah... The Ika people, old, young, women and even children have been very supportive since I came on the throne and I have no single cause to regret my ascension to the throne of my ancestors.

9.       Sir, as a traditional ruler on one hand and a devout Muslim on the other hand, how do you combine your Islamic obligations with the traditional demands of being an Oba?

Those two are distinctively different. There must always be a place for religion in one’s life. However, as a king, one must also identify with the traditional aspect of being king because when you become a king, you are king over everybody, Christians, Muslims and Traditionalists alike. One must find time to identify with all of them.

10.   Kabiyesi, being a businessman before you ascended the throne of your forefathers, how do you combine the strenuous demands of running your business with the exhaustive demands of being king and still find time to relax?

Well, God has given me a very wonderful family that has been very supportive. In actual fact, I no longer stress myself over anything. My son is the Managing Director of my Company (SAOLAD Nigeria Limited, Lagos) and he is doing a very good job taking the company to greater heights than I ever could. As well, the Ika people have been very wonderful so I do not have to go through much stress in administering the community. I virtually rest all day.

11.   As the Oluka Orangun of Ika land, what are the programmes you have in mind to better the lot of Ika people?

Thank you. When I came on the throne, I came with a determination to make life easier for Ika and her people anywhere they may be. When I became king, I discovered there was a periodic contribution being made by Ika indigenes towards execution of major developmental projects. I immediately stopped that practice and right now, whatever major project we have to execute, I fund it. The only thing the people may have to deal with is the maintenance of such projects. Out of the seven boreholes in the community, Government sunk five (5), Eagles Club Ejigbo gave us one (1) and I funded the sinking of the other one.

                Currently, I have financed the rehabilitation of three (3) roads in the community and we are still planning to do more in a bid to better the living conditions of the people of Ika. All the people have to do is ensure such projects are safeguarded and maintained as and when due.

12.   On the Issue of Local Government creation doing the rounds in Osun State, how do you think Ika community will benefit from the splitting of Ejigbo Local Government?

You should know there is no community that will not benefit from having the seat of Governance closer to them. If Ejigbo Local Government gets her wish of becoming two Local Governments, governance will be closer to us and will consequently bring development closer.

13.   At present sir, the Oluka Orangun is not a member of the Ejigbo Local Government Traditional Council. What are you doing to become part of the council?

I will say we are working and not working. We are working because I am fervently praying that Oluka Orangun will be considered worthy of being a member of the traditional council. We are not working because we have resolved not to go lobbying for a seat in the council because that will mean we are power-hungry and we believe it is God who can put anybody in any position.

14.   We must say kudos to you sir for the way you have been thrashing our questions from the start, you are indeed a man of words sir. What is the relationship between you and the Ogiyan of Ejigbo land like?

....smiles....I believe I deserve a very wonderful round of applause when we are through so let us just continue. I have a very wonderful relationship with the Ogiyan of Ejigbo land. Infact, I can call him my father, my adviser and my boss. First, my mother’s father is from the same family as the Ogiyan of Ejigbo land, so he is my father. Second, he is well respected king in Nigeria, one that other Obas are proud to associate with so he is my boss. Third, he is a man of wide experience, a prolific man of words so he is a great adviser.

15.   Sir, we will generously give you rounds upon rounds of applause when we are through. In most towns, there are often disputes over how many ruling houses there are and who and who belongs to those ruling houses. What is the ruling house arrangement in Ika like?

For the first time, I will want to skip this question. There are deliberations ongoing about the Ika ruling house arrangement. Those deliberations are aimed at putting our records straight so that no family will feel cheated. If I give a conclusive response now, people will begin to think I have made a resolution on the issue. When the town concludes deliberations, we will put the accurate number of ruling houses and their names in the gazette.

16.   Who are those influential Ika indigenes that you will hope to partner with in moving the town forward?

You see, there is a difference between ‘go to school’ and ‘I want to go to school’. There is a difference between being begged to do something and desiring to do something. These influential people know they are indigenes of Ika, we can only pray God will put the desires in their hearts so they can voluntarily come home and help their community.       

17.   In what areas do you believe Ika community needs Government intervention?

The issue I consider to be utmost for Ika at the moment is for Government to give Ika community its own ward in the ongoing INEC delimitation exercise. The community is now bigger and should be taken out of the cluster of communities making up the present Ward 10 of Ejigbo Local Government and given a separate ward. This will bring development closer to our people.

18.   Kabiyesi sir, what do you believe should be the role of monarchs in politics?

I believe that a King should not be found identifying with political parties. Rather, a King should play the role of an observer. When he observes that a political office holder is doing well, he can advise his people to support such person to bring about more development but he must not get involved in the political game.

19.   What is your personal life principle sir?

Hmmm... I certainly do operate my life on the basis of honesty. I hate dishonesty because I trust everybody.

20.   How have you been coping on the home front? Are your wives helping you to effectively discharge your duties as a king?

....smiles....I thank God for endowing me with my own wives. As you already know, I have two wives and they both have been very supportive right from the onset. The children have also been wonderful and God has been moving us forward.

21.   Your advice to the youths sir.

All I will advise the youths is to always live a life of humility. When you are humble, everyone who is supposed to help you will be happy to help you.

22.   Will there be establishments of industries in Ika town during your reign and connections for the youths and people of Ika?

Let me not promise specifically that an industry will come at a specific time. However, we are seriously working on tapping the opportunities that our connections have afforded us to bring industries into Ika community. That notwithstanding, we have been making frantic efforts to ensure that we connect all Ika youths who are ready to work in any capacity that God affords us even before I became King and that will continue.

23.   Your word for the Nation at this festive period sir.

I implore Nigerians to come together in the spirit of love to move our Nation forward. When we are united, we will have the opportunity to face our challenges together and overcome them.

I believe the time is right to give you a resounding round of applause sir for the wonderful way in which you have thrashed all our questions. We pray that the good Lord who has set you on the throne of your forefathers will assist you in effectively running the Ika community and He will grant you long life in good health to fulfil all your heart’s desires towards this town.

.....claps.....Thanks you sir.

INTRODUCING I-BUCK ROYALTY

I-Buck Media and Communications Company, publishers of the Welcome HOME online journal proudly introduces the new thing on the live journal.....What is this new thing about?

.....It is going to be educating....entertaining.....eye-opening......and scintillating! It is I-BUCK ROYALTY!

I-Buck Royalty is an interview programme that will feature reputable traditional rulers in and around Nigeria. The interview sessions will be published on Welcome HOME, and will be tagged across the social media platforms.

This programme is our way of bringing the traditional institution closer to the people in such a way that will facilitate the popularity of this ever-sacred institution.

Kick-Off Day:      Monday, 14th October 2013
Kick-Off Time:     12:00 noon
Traditional Ruler:   The Orangun of Ika, Ejigbo Local Government Osun State

Readers with questions they need answers to can comment same and the questions will be expressly directed to His Royal Majesty.

Make it a date with us....