Photo credit: Daily Trust
We have kings, and we do have kings. As we all know, kings are royalty, and they might not necessarily be concerned with the suffering of the masses.
Remember Nero?
One of the few Obas in Yorubaland that have chosen not to forget the masses is the Kabiyesi I’m talking about.
He’s all about the lecture circuit, which impacts knowledge for various bodies, such as the Nigeria Police, the National Youth Service Corps, Osun State University, Redeemer’s University Ede, and others.
He’s also interested in children, especially children from poor homes.
Because of his interest, he has an orphanage where children from all levels of society are cared for.
He has a secondary school, Abolarin College, Ila Orangun, to crown it all. One unique thing about this school is that it is a no-fee school.
It remains for children of the poor. For instance, there’s a Sefiu who doesn’t know where his parents are in the school. There’s another Opeyemi who was a garage boy in the school.
Learning in school is not straight-jacketed. In addition to the regular classes, pupils are encouraged to farm, and those interested in the arts and culture are encouraged to do so.
Above all, pupils are taught religious tolerance. I understand all pupils are conversant with the two major Abrahamic religions.
The proprietor believes that if we fail to educate the children of the poor, our own children might not be safe. But he has unknowingly put a lie to the claim of those who say free education is not possible.
The Kabiyesi himself, Oba Adedokun Omoniyi Abolarin, is a great mixer. He doesn’t look down on anyone.
He welcomes the elderly just as he welcomes Youth Corps members posted to his domain.
Even in his agbada, made from aso oke, he goes boogying yearly with his old Ife mates.
Kaabiyesi is making a statement with his every move!
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