That Ekiti may indeed be one

The other day, the crème-de-la-crème of Ekiti citizens congregated at Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD), to celebrate the 10th anniversary of Ekiti Panupo, a socio-cultural organization for the unification of Ekitis home and in the diaspora and particularly to chart ways for these monolithic and homogeneous people of the South-West to be able to speak with one voice on most issues.

But the Ekitis got more than they bargained for as Prof. Michael Omolewa, an Ambassador and Permanent Delegate of Nigeria to UNESCO, served them a repast of what he dubbed the (sometimes misplaced) perceptions of the Ekitis which they have had to live by over the years. Omolewa, himself an indigene of Ekiti, brought his professional calling and adroitness as an Historian to the fore by digging deep into history to pinpoint such perceptions as the Ekitis’ legendary repute for learning, their hardy resistant to any subjugation and their independent spiritedness commitment as well as their fanatical commitment to a cause.

Among others, he asserted that the famed repute for education would appear to have been somewhat exaggerated as Ekitis had a late start in the development of education for whereas primary schools were planted as early as 1842 in Abeokuta and Badagry, schools were introduced to Ekiti some 50 years later. Again, whereas the first secondary school in Nigeria, CMS Grammar School, Lagos, was established by Henry Venn in June 1859, Christ’s School, the first Secondary School in Ekiti, was established by Archdeacon Henry Darllimore, a Scottish Missionary, in 1933.

It would therefore seem that those who ascribe educational attributes to the Ekitis are referring to the resolute determination of its people to learn and their uncompromising commitment to invest in education, as a result of which the State has become a prolific producer of doctoral degrees and professorships and has equally continued to produce exceptionally distinguished people, intellectuals and professionals like Prof. Niyi Osundare, the sole National Merit Award recipient for the centennial year of 2014 and ABUAD Founder, a  triple alumnus of the famous University of London, Aare Afe Babalola, SAN.

But what do the Ekitis make of these perceptions? Omolewa believes that for the Ekiti to benefit from the perceptions, they need to learn some lessons. They must become aware that the habits which they form are important, as they are used by others to describe them and to negotiate with them. They should therefore learn to be humble enough to identify and discard those habits which do not bring pleasure, but rather, irritation and discomfort to themselves and the wider world. They should then concentrate on those features that bring favour upon themselves as a community, and to the society at large.

The perception of the Ekitis as fiercely independently minded individuals who do all they can to ensure their pursuit of freedom from all forms of oppression, be it material, professional, emotional, spiritual, and their resolution to fight against humiliation and the denial of human rights, are very important. They must consciously continue to strive to maintain those positive perceptions such as courage, persistence, selflessness and indomitable spirit.

Perhaps the Ekiti will go one step further and decide to share those unique attributes with the wider world through the persistent display of the virtues. There is no doubt that the entire country and the international community requires attributes such as the courage and selflessness of the Ekitis to stand up for what they believe is right.

He lamented that the passage of time has vitiated the validity of many of the perceptions of Ekiti. For example, it is being noted that the younger generation are less resolute in the pursuit of academic excellence as there are many failures in the school examinations. Many of the youths are now slothful with some desiring to earn payments for work not done. It is said that there are now the Ekitis who are vicious and contemptuous, envying others without making an effort to excel.

He lamented with a twinge that there is increasing evidence that the Ekitis no longer work as one body in the defence of their rights and freedom, given the temptations of opportunism and unnecessary display of arrogance evident in the global village and the intolerance of dissenting opinions and views. Even more tragic is the impression given that the preoccupation of the Ekitis is to pull their own people down, developments leading to instability, different shades and types of violence and disharmony among the peoples of the state.

He counselled the Ekitis to urgently, but steadily review their strategies for development. For it is not enough to be gallant and zealous, dedicated and hardworking, one still has to be wise and resourceful, carefully exploiting circumstances to one’s advantage. Resources and talents must be directed appropriately while the energy dissipated by strife must otherwise be harnessed for purposeful production.  The Ekitis must review their ways in the light of these perceptions, deliberately and consciously working to counter stereotypes and misconceptions that humiliate and subjugate the people. The Ekiti people must stand tall, and join in the building of the country and the wider world.

• Olofintila wrote from Lagos.