My Town in My RuckSack

My Town in My RuckSack

Igbotako: A Town so Ancient
by Temidayo Akinboyo.

Now in the belly of my town, ever serene that one could take it for a funeral ceremony…that is one defining feature of an idyllic village of which my home-town is a perfect example. The rural folk like it this way for it enhances their productivity.

Igbotako, oja ghele ro, is an ancient town located on the hills; hence, no enemy can triumph over it. A land of the Omotoshos who were shaking the world wherever they are, of course, I am proud of my illustrious cultural enclave and the history of my forebears. My town is forever a town in motion; both the ancients and modern cohabiting at the same time…yet, profound peace is always maintained.

All hail the king, The Rebuja of Osooro kingdom; he is the Lubokun IV and presides over the affairs of such a sprawling empire, he’s no other person than his Majesty, Oba Gbadebo Bajowa, a descendant of the Jibulu Ruling House.; we remain loyal to your majesty, long may you reign on the throne of your forefathers and long may peace reign in our land.

My land remains the envy of all in terms of serenity and homogeneity. I like it this way and the chemistry of understanding among the folks is unusual. That does not rule out occasional squabbles; after all, it is a human community, but the beautiful thing is that there are checks and balances to resolve our differences.

My town boasts of a first class king, two government owned secondary schools and a numerous private ones; a village some call it, but I disagree. A community that has a Magistrate Court, an ultramodern Police station, a general hospital has gone beyond that tag of a village.

My town has given birth to a lot of rich men and women, they are captains of industries their own respective capacities, but that is yet to morph into any evident development, apart from the Micro-finance bank located in the nucleus of the town, courtesy of Chief Ade Ogunjumelo; also there are few petrol stations. I plead to other sons and daughters of our town to invest in this abode of peace; I ask, what value is that oracle who does not contribute his time? Perhaps our big bothers and sister are coming up with something big; but for how long?

My town is a microlopollis and melting pot for what is good about the Ikale heritage. I am proud of my little Jerusalem and I long for its development all day and night. I will continue to propagate my land. I am a true born of the land and will never stop to agitate for its progress, “Oya Oma Lubokun, a jeja tun ulu yi seo Ajobi agbewa o. Now I return to the bush along Omiaghon for my morning hunting being the forest where the best games are located; but I will always carry you my town in my rucksack, and will never forget you.