By: Sodiq Lawal Chocomilo
Yes, we will not live forever but we should try to live well while alive. We only come to this world as a guest. Whatever we achieve in life would outlive us except good character and relationship.
High Chief Orisa of Iloko-Ijesa was a very intelligent, smart, courageous and brave man. He was accommodating, reliable, and trustworthy.
He did not only come to this world as an occupant. He came to break records and he was successful at it. He became a licensed and registered surveyor at 25.
How did a young man from an ancient town gasping for development in the 19th century become a licensed and registered surveyor at that age? He was simply brilliant and did not allow opportunities to pass him by.
High Chief Orisa did not build up his profile. He also contributed to communal development. With grace and honor, he ruled Iloko-Ijesa through its difficult times and did not compromise. Babarisa served three prominent and ever progressive kings as a high chief.
We are not strange to Yoruba history and the perceived hypocrisy within the traditional council. We are not strange to antics of ambitious chiefs who always want to share power with their kings. Babarisa was different. He was submissive, engaging, loyal to the palace and town.
The last time I saw him, he looked weak due to old age but he was lively. I saw him walked his royal majesty, Oba Akeem Ogungbangbe, ‘the leopard’s son who’s not afraid of race’ to the hightable during the New Year festival which was covered by WITHIN NIGERIA.
As Babarisa takes his final bow, abandoning all what he loved and cared for while on earth, we should not pity him. He has lived well and ended rightly. We should pity ourselves, ask if we will live well and end rightly.
Babarisa is gone. He will not come back again. Only memories, the good and bad ones. The gate has been locked. The ever young, enterprising and intelligent became old, interesting and wise before he met with the grim-reaper.
As we mourn the Babarisa who donated his life for communal service, tell a friend to inform another that the clock is tickling. Nobody would live forever. Continue Reading
Olayimika ni ki e se daada!
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