Segun Odegbami continues his reflective narrative on the lessons his father never taught him. The story picks up after a childhood incident involving stolen jerseys and a police station visit. His father, Pa Jacob Adebola Odegbami, had initially been angry but later relieved when the police confirmed his son's innocence. However, the lesson was far from over.
The Midnight Family Meeting
At midnight, Odegbami was awakened by a slap on his backside. His father summoned all three children for their first family meeting. The eldest sister was about 15, and the eldest brother, Dele, was already in secondary school in Abeokuta. The meeting was a sermon, a deep dive into their roots.
His father pointed to an almanac depicting Chief Obafemi Awolowo, a revered Yoruba leader. Awolowo was worshipped for his vision, simplicity, wisdom, and spartan lifestyle. His teachings emphasized equity, education, integrity, honesty, transparency, religious tolerance, justice, and the common good. He lived by these principles.
Lessons on Egba Heritage
Pa Odegbami spoke about Abeokuta and the Egba people, their township Ago Ododo, and the deep history and culture of the Egba. He highlighted the sophistication, freedom of religious practice, and well-established traditional institutions. He shared stories of his birthplace, Wasimi Orile Olose, and his globally famous brother, Amos Tutuola, author of 'The Palmwine Drinkard'. Both had only reached standard 3 in education.
He confessed he played football in his youth but not obsessively like his son. He stressed the importance of remembering one's roots and the Egba values of impeccable conduct and character. He warned against accepting bribes, gifts from unknown sources, mortgaging their rights, and emphasized the importance of a good name over riches.
The Omoluabi Principle
He spoke about leadership in Yoruba land: never choose a leader based on wealth, power, or education, but on the demonstration of Omoluabi values—good conduct, honesty, humility, service, fairness, and wisdom. A true leader would emerge defined by his life and ways.
Odegbami now lives in Abeokuta, striving to enjoy his roots and the lessons his father taught. However, he realizes his father never told him the price an Egba man pays to mortgage his heritage. He asked a political scientist from Ibadan what it would take for an Ibadan person to accept an Egba leader for Oyo State. The answer was 'Nothing. It is simply not possible.' Odegbami wishes he had asked his father about that price. His father died 24 years ago.
