Visiting Ofiki, Oke-Ogun, Ọyọ State
Those are pictures from Ofiki, Oke-Ogun, Ọyọ State. I was there to give talks at the invitation of a prince of the town – Mr David Adeoye – who has mentored many already.
His dream is to bring enough generational development to the community through education, experience and proper motivation. So we did our best to explain how to navigate through life, attain good results and why, against all odds, one must be educated.
Educated as an individual effort and through school. The entrepreneurial session was handled by Ọlanṣile “Advantage” Ọlanrewaju. Tobiloba “Host” took the session on maximising school experience in the senior classes. Otitọ took the speech session.
Although I had no idea how fine they could speak English [it was fantastic], the kids had a debate. They thrilled us with how they marshalled their points and reinforced their arguments with facts. They are just as good as their counterparts elsewhere. And I kid you not. Otitọ taught them how to make their speeches better.
We visited the palace of the Aarẹ of Ofiki. We were well received by the king — an alumnus of the University of Ibadan and fine gentleman with a proclivity for the development of his realm — and his Olori, who treated us to dinner. The
Aarẹ shared his plans for developing the economy and life of his people. I was impressed. His people mattered to him very much. And the cap? That is my heirloom quality.
My father was a cap-wearing officer, and I liked it. So I became a perpetual cap-on 😄.
In the last picture is the pellet of the hunter’s weapon. The pellet had lodged in that part of the bush meat I was lucky to have. I have kept it for memories. It’s my first outing in January, and I feel fulfilled already.
It’s reminiscent of my first speech last January around the same day I visited Iganna, also in Oke-Ogun. I am sure the kids will do well.
Ibadan, Nigeria.
ojderemi@gmail.com
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