I have long known my maternal home is Owu from Abeokuta & assumed my late Dad Paster Baba Oke was also from Owu because he had 6 tribal marks on each side of his cheeks, which is known as the Omo Olowu tribal mark.
Speaking to my cousin on dad’s side, he informed me that we are from Adakeja compound Gbagura in Abekuta. They have a close relationship with Owu. I will have to go there to pay homage & learn more.
Today very few people still give their kids tribal marks, so just looking at a person will not readily identify which part of Nigeria they come from.
People often mistakenly assume I am Igbo, either by my look or my accent. My spoken Yoruba is atrocious. Yorubas call me Omo Igbo, and I often indulge people by calling myself Okechukwu, not Oke, which means rat in Igbo.
Accent, tonation, and names are the best ways to identify one’s origins, but not foolproof, as mixed marriages often mask origins, and some people intentionally change their names.
In any case, with all the intermarriages since before 1960, does it really matter? When you fall in love with someone, does your heart really care where they come from? No, it doesn’t.
Tomorrow is the Odun Omo Olowu Festival of the Children from Owu in Abeokuta Ogun State. Owu la ko da Owu was the first to be founded. Owu can be found in communities & settlements all over Yoruba land. Pres Obj is Owu, not Igbo, lol 😃
Today I visited the old government office in Abeokuta, which is a museum to honour our past governors.
It is in a deplorable state of disrepair & a disgrace to the Gateway State, more or less falling apart with a leaking roof, overgrown weeds, & unkept laundry.
Such a building ought to be a big revenue generator for the state & ministry of culture & tourism but is just a wasting asset.
I have come to the conclusion that government truly is the problem. Many political appointees & evil servants masquerading as evil servants are clueless and shameless. One must ask how much is being generated from our MDA’s monthly, quarterly, half-yearly, and yearly. It is a scandal.
The old government office could be concessioned to a private company that will maintain and upgrade it at zero cost to the state and allow it to exceed it’s former glory, making it a key tourist and leisure facility in Abeokuta, generating N100 million.
The National Sports Festival is going to be held in Ogun State in Jan 2025. There are practically no activities in MKO Abiola Stadium; are we ready for all sports? Where will all the athletes, media, and guests reside? Is there anything like a completed games village?
What about transport facilities and uplifting the state capital for the games? Will Iperu Airport be used to transport athletes & guests?
I’ve gone around, and most people in Abeokuta are oblivious that the next Nat Sports Festival is scheduled for Jan 2025 in Abeokuta.
This is supposed to be a celebration of sport and a celebration of Ogun State to be a bonanza for generating revenue for local businesses & transportation. I’m flabbergasted at the lackadaisical manner in which my state is approaching the forthcoming National Sports Festival in Abeokuta, Ogun State. Can someone in government please respond on this urgent matter, as the last-minute fire brigade approach always results in failure? We are watching.
Watch out for episode 29 Omo Owu Festival What’s your view? Please share, thanks.
Femi Oke Betta9ja
