OMOLUABI AND OMO ORITA: A POLITICAL NEXUS ?
Omoluabi is originally someone who received and imbibed good training from homes and schools ( formal and informal sector). He is someone who understands the law and the norm ( *lameto and lamofin*)
He has finest of manner and beautiful character and he is the toast of everybody.
*Omoluabi* is wanted by all and a prayer point of all parents. Most community wanted people of such caliber and make-up as leader and ambassador, leaning on them as reliable parley.
The most critical of assignment and the heaviest of trust are placed on them . People wired with omoluabi ethos are distinguished and noble.
*Omo Orita* on the contrary is a personality who probably received training but never imbibed training. He is strong and rely on drug, alcohol and alloy for his confidence, ever red eyes and thick voice.
*Omo orita* always stay at junction now called based. Remember T junction is where the Yoruba called *Orita* and it is said to be permanent abode of devil. *Orita ile esu*
They are privileged hands and tools for the devil at any time and ever ready to put head in everything deadly. They are up to akin to all deadly calls. Just little cash, drug and alcohol, they are there to pick up any deadly errand.
Ordinarily *Omoluabi* will not want to relate with *Omo Orita* because they are by training, disposition and world view, a parallel line who are not supposed to meet.
However, the aggressive materialism and change in definition of success has pushed many *Omoluabis* to gravitate towards *omo Orita*
Omoluabi, conducting business, successful and popular will first be identified by an Omo Orita and they will sing his unsolicited eulogy and he has to acknowledge that by giving out something, however small.
You must have heard omo Orita sounding
Baba niyen
Buje budanu
Alanuu mekunu
Iku to bafe pa e, ko pawa ni
Owo meji loke
The omoluabi out of fear and sacrifice will always respond to praise of Omo Orita just like one of Ibadan wealthy omoluabi said during one of such incidence , won saanu mi ni won wa losan , ti won ba wa loru nko? ( They pitied me to have come during the day, what if they come in the night?)
In Politics Omoluabi has all it takes of charisma and integrity to lead, no doubt, but because the material gain attached to Politics has turn it to battle( note that campaign is a military term) of all interested parties. This battle is expected to be more of idea and persuasion of the populace but of recent, especially in Nigeria there is physical content of the political battle.
The physical content of the political battle involving force and brutality, an Omoluabi is not ready to take up personally but by proxy. The Omoluabi in Politics now need Omo Orita to fight the physical political battles on his behalf.
It is in the executing the physical content of political battle that Omoluabi need to gravitate towards omo Orita. We can see how the nexus plays out in various states in Nigeria
The other professionals also use the Omo Orita remember a popular musician who announced how his earning are shared
Orin taabako lode🎼
Wolii aje nibe🎼
Afa aje nibe🎼
Babalawo aje nibe 🎼
Aatun sanwo Oriita🎼
The “owo
orita” is literally referring to settlement of Omo Orita so that the musician will go another outing alive and in peace. The musician case study represented all elements including politicians (who have protocol officer in-charge of Omo- Orita) who enjoys patronage of Omo Orita.
It is pathetic the idea content of Politics is represented by Omoluabi mostly while
The physical strength content is represented by Omo Orita readily available.
The synergy between omoluabi in Politics and Omo Orita is almost official in some states of the Federation.
Our political environment is materialised and militarised. The materialised politics is likely to attract individuals of all kinds who put money first .
The materialised politics is likely to be discouraging to omoluabi who ordinarily will want to serve his community but the militarisation.
Any omoluabi who chose to weather the storm of politics is paying a big price and offering huge sacrifice.
The situation as it is has strengthen Omo Orita.It seems the synergy of Omoluabi in politics and Omo orita seems paying off to Omo Orita as number of them now ride poshy cars and have kids schooling abroad.
As a matter of urgency Omoluabi in all sectors must work together to de-materialize and de-militarized politics and consequently make it unattractive to the materialists among politicians and omo orita
Omoluabi must locate omoluabi in the police and the military to tame Omo Orita who is seriously closing up with relevance in our daily political life. It must be noted they have advantage of population though limited by Education.
Meanwhile omo olomo lo se ranse de torutoru
Meaning you are happy to send other people’s children into hot water just like turning stick.
Mo soyi mo duro naa
I rest my case
IDRIS KEHINDE ISMAIL
E8/58
ILE AJEJA
OJE, IBADAN
