We were educated when education still had value in Nigeria. I had initially wanted to use the word ‘lucky’, but I doubt if that would take care of the conscious efforts which the administrators and the teachers applied in making sure our time in school was worth its while.
By the way, I want to make a confession today. I never knew the ojola, python, was just like any other snake. I had already finished higher education before I realized that fact.
We read the book, Ogboju Ode Ninu Igbo Irunmole by D.O. Fagunwa in which ojola ibinu has a human head. Thanks for the authors’ vivid illustration which built our fertile imagination.
Another one was the series of Alawiye books by J.F. Odunjo. A story we read there brought today’s memories.
There is this elephant that possibly because of its terrorism of the people, they decide to make it king. I’m still seeing the class in which we read the story.
‘Ao merin joba
Eweku ewele
Erin to d’ade owo
Eweku ewele
Erin to te’pa Ileke
Eweku ewele’
The elephant agrees to be made king. But the people dig a pit and use mats to cover it before eventually placing the throne on the mats.
When the elephant sits on the throne, of course, he tumbles into the pit and the people are then able to overpower the elephant.
May the elephants ruling Nigeria be overpowered in a similar manner!
022020
