Photo credit: the Punch
At least, one positive thing Ogbeni Aregbesola could have been said to have done right during his tenure as governor was the correction of our ignorance in looking down on our culture. He established the Isese Day, that is a day in which African Traditional Culture is celebrated.
I understand virtually all the Southwestern states in Nigeria have joined the chorus.
By the way, the culture of a people includes the customs, arts, social institutions, achievements etc of the people. We are all living cultures in the sense that the way we do things now may be different from what was practiced before us.
But then, the Yoruba in their wisdom have a saying that a child who throws away their culture has postponed their suffering.
Now, what is going on in Nigeria which includes the homeland of the Yoruba couldn’t have happened in a nation governed by Omoluwabis. The Yoruba concept of omoluwabi is much more than the European concept of a gentleman.
An omoluwabi will not be one if he’s the only rich person in his community. That’s why the Yoruba would say, if there’s a wealthy person in a community, then the whole community is poor.
What do we have today?
Isn’t it only those in government and their lackeys that could be said to be rich?
Where did we put the Oyo system where we had the Oyomesi who sat in council with the Alafin. And God help the Alafin who was a terror because he ended up committing suicide.
Meanwhile, the Oyomesi’s power was checked by the Ogboni.
But we were brainwashed that we didn’t have a democracy and our system wasn’t good enough. Just like we were told our mother-tongue was vernacular.
When one looks at democracy and socialism, I stand to be corrected to say they are not suitable for Africans. The guiding principle of democracy is capitalism. And as we can see, capitalism is so selfish that it’s only a few that controls the commonwealth.
Socialism is not in any way better. The Russian invasion of Ukraine has shown that while a few Russian oligarchs are enjoying themselves outside Russia, the common man is left to suffer.
Rather, I would think a system of African Communism which incorporates, aaro, ajo, grandparents looking after the young ones and teaching them the mores and values of their society would have been preferable.
For now, how I wish the ruling class in Nigeria, will agree to swear, not say a powerless oath, by an African God before occupying office.
We’ll get there one day!
082023
