"OSEGBE" It will get to your turn - A MESSAGE TO THE CONFAB DELEGATES
I once watched a Bini movie title OSEGBE meaning "it will get to your turn". The story was about two friends Uyi and Ode. They were so close that they did almost everything together. They eat together, farmed and hunted together. They were more like brothers because you could always see both of them together. On a fateful day both of them were resting in the farm when a coconut fruit fell from its tree. Ode was lucky because it would have lanced on his head, thanking God he wasn't hurt he decided he was going to take the coconut home.
After sometime the coconut began to grow, He thought it was better he planted it in his yard. He had to borrow a hollow bowl from his best friend to protect the young plant from erosion or foot steep and animals that grazed. Time went on by that both men decided to marry and settle down. They lived happily coexisting with each other. Uyi had a daughter named evbu who was always convulsing, luckily for him Ode had the cure for her ailment. He gave him a necklace made out of coral beads to put on that it would always prevent it from occurring ever again. He tried it and it worked his daughter was free from convulsion.
As time went on by, Ode's coconut grew and it became a very tall tree. Its fruits were said to be the sweetest in the land. It drew praises to him and he was always talked about. To the extent that the King always wanted to have him bring some to him as gifts. He was favored because of his coconut, he always remained humble because the tree reminded him of how close he was to death. Meanwhile Uyi was boiling in his hate pool, he always frowned when he heard people talk about the tree. He even stopped eating the coconut and warned his family not to eat making up storied of how Ode has gotten everyone under his will because the coconut was evil.
Time went by, men grew older boys became men and girls became women. After so many years Uyi came to visit his friend who was pleased to meet him. As both men were in a merry mood, Uyi asked Ode to return the bowl he gave him to protect his coconut tree. Ode was amused and almost choked thinking his friend was joking. After seeing the straight face of his friend and the tone of his voice he knew it was not a laughing matter. After so much pleading Uyi refused, he was begged by the people and he bluntly refused standing his ground that he only borrowed him the bowl and he never intended it to be his property. After so much ado about nothing Ode was to give his bowl Uyi insisted that he didn't want it to be cut or scratched which implied that the tree was to be cut off. The tree was cut and he got his bowl back sacrificing his friendship with his best friend.
Evbu the daughter of Uyi grew to become the prettiest woman in the town, she was so beautiful that the princesses always wanted her around. She was the talk of the town and most men would run errands for her father and help her mum with chores. The crowned prince who on a fateful day saw her playing with his sisters was captured by her beauty, He spent most of his time spying on her and begged his sisters to set up a meeting for the both of them. His wish finally came true and after some time of dating he decided to marry her. The king was happy for his son but he never forgot what Uyi did to his best friend. The wedding date was set and it was going to be a royal wedding the kind that most people have been anticipating for. The news went to all the corners of the kingdom and his environs.
On the wedding day, no one would have expected the bride to be to be prettier than ever, she was so pretty in her attire that other kings present lauded the host king that she was truly the finest woman around. She was dazzling and her beauty radiate it was believed that she could even make the moon put out its light. The drums were beating, people were merry, dancers were doing what they knew how to do best. The women were singing gifts were pouring in. The father of the bride was swollen by his pride already in his mind he was going to be the father of the future queen and grandfather to the heir to the throne. Nothing could spoil the day because even weather was in their favor the sun was shinning moderately and the wind was soothing the guest. It was a glorious occasion full of joy and merriment.
The wedding rites were to begin. when a ghost in Uyi's past came to visit him. Guess who came to the biggest wedding of that era, it was Ode his old time friend. The villagers were surprised because they knew that both of them have stopped being friends. Uyi was full of pride and welcomed his friend saying come sit with the father of the prettiest bride the kingdom has ever produced. the queen mother looked away in disgust because she used to be praised in such manner. Ode was happy to be welcomed by his old time buddy both men were drinking and laughing like old times. After much drinks and laughter Ode asked for permission to speak. The king allowed him to speak up, he told them he came for one thing only. He asked his friend if he remembered what he had given to him long time ago.
He had come to take it back because it was needed urgently. Uyi in his drunken self looked in dumbfounded manner and asked if it was the wine that was getting to his friend. He was brought back to his real state of mind when Ode mentioned the necklace. Uyi was shocked because he had long forgotten about it. He was angry and said Ode was jealous that was the reason why he came all the way to ask for a mere necklace. The king who was lost asked for Ode's explanation and after he had been told what transpired between them. Ode told them he was going to use the necklace to save his granddaughter was on the brink of death. Uyi in his rage wanted to cut the necklace he was politely instructed to leave the necklace uncut. He realized that he had to cut his daughter's neck in order to do so. He begged his friend who was as firm as the root of an iroko tree insisting he needed the necklace fast because time was running out.
The king was asked for his judgment on the matter, he spoke transparently and he ordered Uyi to return the necklace to his friend who he had once forced to cut something that had life and brought happiness to Ode and the village. He said same will apply to his daughter to serve as a lesson to the people and generations to come. He advised them not to demand payment on something you know is not important. That was when he told Uyi "OSEGBE".
This story implies to what we are facing in out country presently. You all may be aware of the matter that has been dividing the Elders which were given the golden opportunity to make amends to the mistakes that have been made for more than half a century of our country's existence. I don't believe in Mosaic Law which is an eye for an eye or a tooth for a tooth. I believe in equality and transparency. I don't seek unity because as long as we are humans we will never be united. The only time humans were united the wanted to see the face of God and build a tower to reach the Heavens. So lets face the issue on ground and be bluntly honest about it.
Decades ago if not more than half a century. You might have heard of the Groundnut pyramids for those of you that never knew about it here is a picture below:
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After sometime the coconut began to grow, He thought it was better he planted it in his yard. He had to borrow a hollow bowl from his best friend to protect the young plant from erosion or foot steep and animals that grazed. Time went on by that both men decided to marry and settle down. They lived happily coexisting with each other. Uyi had a daughter named evbu who was always convulsing, luckily for him Ode had the cure for her ailment. He gave him a necklace made out of coral beads to put on that it would always prevent it from occurring ever again. He tried it and it worked his daughter was free from convulsion.
As time went on by, Ode's coconut grew and it became a very tall tree. Its fruits were said to be the sweetest in the land. It drew praises to him and he was always talked about. To the extent that the King always wanted to have him bring some to him as gifts. He was favored because of his coconut, he always remained humble because the tree reminded him of how close he was to death. Meanwhile Uyi was boiling in his hate pool, he always frowned when he heard people talk about the tree. He even stopped eating the coconut and warned his family not to eat making up storied of how Ode has gotten everyone under his will because the coconut was evil.
Time went by, men grew older boys became men and girls became women. After so many years Uyi came to visit his friend who was pleased to meet him. As both men were in a merry mood, Uyi asked Ode to return the bowl he gave him to protect his coconut tree. Ode was amused and almost choked thinking his friend was joking. After seeing the straight face of his friend and the tone of his voice he knew it was not a laughing matter. After so much pleading Uyi refused, he was begged by the people and he bluntly refused standing his ground that he only borrowed him the bowl and he never intended it to be his property. After so much ado about nothing Ode was to give his bowl Uyi insisted that he didn't want it to be cut or scratched which implied that the tree was to be cut off. The tree was cut and he got his bowl back sacrificing his friendship with his best friend.
Evbu the daughter of Uyi grew to become the prettiest woman in the town, she was so beautiful that the princesses always wanted her around. She was the talk of the town and most men would run errands for her father and help her mum with chores. The crowned prince who on a fateful day saw her playing with his sisters was captured by her beauty, He spent most of his time spying on her and begged his sisters to set up a meeting for the both of them. His wish finally came true and after some time of dating he decided to marry her. The king was happy for his son but he never forgot what Uyi did to his best friend. The wedding date was set and it was going to be a royal wedding the kind that most people have been anticipating for. The news went to all the corners of the kingdom and his environs.
On the wedding day, no one would have expected the bride to be to be prettier than ever, she was so pretty in her attire that other kings present lauded the host king that she was truly the finest woman around. She was dazzling and her beauty radiate it was believed that she could even make the moon put out its light. The drums were beating, people were merry, dancers were doing what they knew how to do best. The women were singing gifts were pouring in. The father of the bride was swollen by his pride already in his mind he was going to be the father of the future queen and grandfather to the heir to the throne. Nothing could spoil the day because even weather was in their favor the sun was shinning moderately and the wind was soothing the guest. It was a glorious occasion full of joy and merriment.
The wedding rites were to begin. when a ghost in Uyi's past came to visit him. Guess who came to the biggest wedding of that era, it was Ode his old time friend. The villagers were surprised because they knew that both of them have stopped being friends. Uyi was full of pride and welcomed his friend saying come sit with the father of the prettiest bride the kingdom has ever produced. the queen mother looked away in disgust because she used to be praised in such manner. Ode was happy to be welcomed by his old time buddy both men were drinking and laughing like old times. After much drinks and laughter Ode asked for permission to speak. The king allowed him to speak up, he told them he came for one thing only. He asked his friend if he remembered what he had given to him long time ago.
He had come to take it back because it was needed urgently. Uyi in his drunken self looked in dumbfounded manner and asked if it was the wine that was getting to his friend. He was brought back to his real state of mind when Ode mentioned the necklace. Uyi was shocked because he had long forgotten about it. He was angry and said Ode was jealous that was the reason why he came all the way to ask for a mere necklace. The king who was lost asked for Ode's explanation and after he had been told what transpired between them. Ode told them he was going to use the necklace to save his granddaughter was on the brink of death. Uyi in his rage wanted to cut the necklace he was politely instructed to leave the necklace uncut. He realized that he had to cut his daughter's neck in order to do so. He begged his friend who was as firm as the root of an iroko tree insisting he needed the necklace fast because time was running out.
The king was asked for his judgment on the matter, he spoke transparently and he ordered Uyi to return the necklace to his friend who he had once forced to cut something that had life and brought happiness to Ode and the village. He said same will apply to his daughter to serve as a lesson to the people and generations to come. He advised them not to demand payment on something you know is not important. That was when he told Uyi "OSEGBE".
This story implies to what we are facing in out country presently. You all may be aware of the matter that has been dividing the Elders which were given the golden opportunity to make amends to the mistakes that have been made for more than half a century of our country's existence. I don't believe in Mosaic Law which is an eye for an eye or a tooth for a tooth. I believe in equality and transparency. I don't seek unity because as long as we are humans we will never be united. The only time humans were united the wanted to see the face of God and build a tower to reach the Heavens. So lets face the issue on ground and be bluntly honest about it.
Decades ago if not more than half a century. You might have heard of the Groundnut pyramids for those of you that never knew about it here is a picture below:
The North has always thrived in agriculture and have been very good with it. Before the discovery of crude oil do you know that Nigeria's economy was stable and our currency was higher than that of the British Pounds Sterling and the American Dollar. We had the best time of our lives then, exportation was booming and the country was in a equilibrium. The North decided the production and the prices on the produce. The country was in peace and the need to control the derivation was never the issue both parts fight over. Then we discovered oil, we thought it was a blessing truth be told it has not made any difference because the aftermath lead to the fall of the naira, ecological disaster to the regions were the crude is found. Our nation is being torn apart with the issue of resource control. We can only fight over things we have and be happy with things we don't.
Japan is a country that has no natural resource yet they thrive on and they are supposedly the fourth largest economy in the world. Why do we let ourselves be driven by greed and selfishness. We have enough minerals in each state they are so surplus that a state can survive as a country if it harnesses its resources well and the government is not corrupt and lacks vision. I don't know about the members of the confab but I know there are pressing issues that need to be addressed. What happens to education, employment, corruption penalties, basic amenities and things that will help the development of the nation. I don't think we can go further if we are still having grudges against each other. We can only move forward if we let go of the past. We all need each other in several ways, you can have all the crude oil in the world are you going to drink or bath with it.
We don't have to be dying of thirst when we are kneeling down in a natural spring that flows eternally. Let the youth decide the way this country is to be ruled for once. We have watched a particular set of people lead I feel there is time for everything. The backstage is also an exit for the one who has the spot light and also a passage to an upcoming star. Africans don't know when to quit that is why we are still backwards. Don't let the young intellectuals give up on this country or be shipped offshore to where they will be appreciated. Focus on issues we really need to address they are so much that by the thing you deal with them you wont have time for who is to have a total say on derivation. God bless Nigeria
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