By Adewumi Sikiru Adekunle
There are many concepts to describing situations, events, personalities and characters in the Yorubaland. Notable among the concepts are Jegudujera for corruption, Wonbiliki wonbia for greediness and selfishness, Jagidijagan and Mondaru for Thuggery, alapapin for embezzlement to mention afew.
There is a particular word that the Yorubas find very rare to call anybody, before anyone could be defined in such a context and with the concept, thorough researches and observations must have been consistently made.
This concept is called the OMOLUABI.
Omoluwabi is an adjective. “Omo-ti-Olu-Iwa-bi” ‘Omo’ means ‘child’ , ‘ti’ means ‘ that or which ‘ Olu-Iwa is a name of a ‘ God ‘ in Yorubaland, which translates to the initiator of Iwa, character. ‘Bi’ means to give birth to.
The Yorubas believe very strongly that Omoluwabi means a child begotten by the ‘Olu-Iwa’ , the custodian of character. A child of ‘Olu-Iwa’ is expected to be a scion of character, and an example of good virtues. This is the reason you will not see an ‘Omoluabi’ in the gathering of thieves, fraudsters, ritualists, marauders etc. They are great assets to humanity.
When values, virtues and integrity matter in the society, the concept of Omoluabi was what determined resources and power allocation. This snowballed into the commonly said adage that “Kato feniyan joye laarin ilu, Oni lati jeni rere” meaning that before anyone can be made a chief in the town he must be a good man.
The fact remains that the contemporary world has shifted from virtues to materialism and things go worse and worse everyday. The societal values and concept of Omoluabi is most times jettisoned, trashed, trampled and replaced with ills in the social, cultural ,religious and political arenas.
An Omoluabi is a person of honour who believes in hardwork, respects for the rights of others, renders selfless service to his immediate society and remote environment.
Omoluabi is a man whose words are his covenant, whose love and respect for humanity is undaunted, a man who gives much respects to the constituted authority.
An Omoluwabi exhibits the inherent virtue and value of ‘Iwapele‘ gentility, and iteriba, humility. No matter how rich an Omoluwabi is, he will never disrespect the elderlies. Omoluwabi is guided by the tradition of integrity.
An Omoluwabi considers the interest and growth of his community above personal interest. He will not take a decision that can affect the peace of his community for whatever reason(s). An Omoluwabi believes in the reality of ‘time-factor’ in the affairs of men. He knows it is a great thing to wait for one’s time. An Omoluwabi is not desperate; he can only manifest the traits of a visionary; ambitious.
By all known standards, Victor Olumuyiwa Kolade is an Omoluwabi. He is a leader per excellence and for those who had met, or had encounter with him; they will attest to his generous and meek character. He considers himself a vineyard and fountain for people to draw life. He is a great teacher.
That he agreed to the decision of the APC leaders who resolved to zone the last representation of the area in the National Assembly to ijero local government after he had invested hugely is a demonstration of his loyalty and not despiracy.
How else do we measure an Omoluwabi? How else do we identify a leader who can be trusted with our mandate? Victor Olumiyiwa Kolade VOK has shown a rare capacity in the realm of politics in our constituency. For showing or teaching very many aspiring leaders and leaders how to lead, we can only ask God to continue to protect him for the huge task ahead.
VOK is a light from God. Like the book of Ecclesiastes retorts: “For everything under the sun, there is a time.” We are confident that this time is for VOK and for us.
VOK has through the Omoluwabi in him influenced very many people with the ideals of integrity, good name, hardwork, giving, boldness, and unblemish love.
Adewumi Sikiru Adekunle also known as Omo Imam is a political analyst. He writes from Igede Ekiti