What my sojourn on Substack birthed

PART THREE

Arsenal #4 - On the go

Chapter Two

EDE

Ede  is really a special town in Ipinle Osun that is located in the its southwestern part. The town sits on the banks of the Osun River and is strategically positioned at the intersection of roads connecting Oshogbo, Ogbomosho, and Ile-Ife, all cities in Ipinle Osun. The land around Ede is mostly flat, with some gentle hills and farms dappled all over the place.  History records that Ede was founded sometime in the 16th century by Timi Agbale Olofa-Ina, a great hunter and warrior. Local stories have it that Timi Agbale came from the ancient city of Ile-Ife and was sent by the Ooni (king) of Ife to establish a settlement that would protect the trade routes in the area. Timi Agbale chose the site of Ede because it was a good place to cross the Osun River and also seeing that it intersected other major cities. The inhabitants of Ede are known for being friendly and welcoming to visitors. Over time, Ede grew from a small settlement into an important town and became known as a place of brave warriors and skilled hunters. Ede also became known as the birthplace of the Adelekes. A place to be reckoned with because the lives of the Adelekes have been so heavily intertwined with Ede creating a blurred distinction between the two.

As we drove in, it wasn't the sprawling campus of the Redeemed Church owned University that caught my eye as much as the artisans meticulously laying kerbs along the roadside. That truly captured my attention. Their straight lines were a masterpiece of precision, a small detail that spoke volumes about the care and skill of Ede's people. Ede captivated me. Dusty roads, red earth and road works. The red earth beneath the huge tyres of our SUV visually laid out stories of past generations while the ongoing road works spoke volumes of progress yet to come. There was work in progress on the major road leading into Ede. All, signs of life and upward movement. Demolished homes and businesses spatter the landscape of Ede. The roads were being widened to accommodate more cars, more people, and more progress. This was the cost of development. The cost that everyday people bear without actually processing and reflecting on the burden. ‘It will end in praise’, they say. There are also children everywhere, giving a feeling of more minors than adults living in that vicinity or maybe because it was summer, school gates were locked and businesses took centre stage. Fresh fruits and vegetables are being hawked within the nooks and crannies of Ede by women and children, heads wrapped in hijab and headscarves. There is an abundance of fresh food, locally planted and harvested. You could easily see the agrarian support system that ensures that there would be enough food for the population.

Asides stopping to interact with the locals in the pretext of buying food stuff and asking for directions, our first pit stop was the Adeleke University primary and high school. We met very enthusiastic gate keepers that marketed the school in a very intentional way. I run a school and I strongly doubt if my own gatekeepers could do half as much. I actually learnt something that astounded me which I plan to implement in my own school. It was quite impressive!

I was fascinated by the friendly and courteous gatekeepers and the pristine appearance of the place. It was immaculate. I had done some research on the internet and had the librarian's name handy to aid us in our gatecrashing plans. Two things informed choosing that particular name. One, she was of the same ethnicity as me - Ibo. So, I felt she would naturally be drawn to me as a sister. Secondly, she was female - girl power, sisterhood. You could call this name dropping, it's entirely up to you. But unfortunately, she wasn't there. (Digression: however, the idea worked and I was going to use it again). She worked at the university. The high school really wasn't part of my itinerary but I was glad we stumbled mistakenly upon it because with it, I could use the experience to measure against what to anticipate at the university. The pristine grounds of the high school were just a taste of what was to come.

Driving behind a taxi bike, and meandering through the long  and narrow ‘men at work’ road, we finally arrived at the Adeleke University. You know, the kind of place you feel before you see. You could feel that presence. The presence of ‘something good is happening here’. And true to form, I was held spellbound by the magnificence that beheld us when we got to the castle like entrance. Nothing could have prepared me for the sight that greeted us.

Entrance to the Adeleke University

The entrance took my breath away, transporting me to a realm that felt more like Eden than a university campus. I could literally die and be buried here. (Digression: someone said to me , ‘you have a very morbid sense of humor’ and I responded ‘if you’ve been through loss like I have, you would too’. … not just me: Mark Manson understands the inevitability of death and how accepting this reality can help us prioritize what truly matters. We’ll all go one day.) My companions, despite having lived in Osun State for years, were equally awestruck. It wasn't just the man-made structures, impressive as they were, it was the meticulous attention to the landscape, the serene ambiance that enveloped us. I found myself at a loss for words, reminded of Steve Jobs' "allegedly" famous last words: "Oh wow... oh wow..." (Digression: the use of allegedly so I don't get called out for alternative facts since I wasn't there with him on that fateful day).

Mouth literally agape, we engaged with the same quality of courteous and helpful security details and using the same name, we gained access. We drove into a place that one word couldn’t describe or explain the feeling that had brewed in my system. The ambiance of the picturesque setting left me speechless for a minute. I  checked out the virtual tour of Adeleke university and concluded that it didn't do justice to what I had just witnessed. There was no single thing that was out of place. Yes, there were no students at that time, but if there were, I would bet my life that the pristine nature of that place still wouldn't be desecrated. It takes discipline and a shared community commitment to project that kind of tranquility. And in this place of serenity, I also encountered resistance from the gatekeepers.

Ok, so a bit of major digression here. I have encountered gatekeepers before. Like, they have done me in so many times. I am going to dedicate a whole post to gatekeepers including a full explanation of the ones I met at Ede. But I am just going to touch a bit on it here and hopefully know where to cease and desist. 😭🤣. So, I walked into the library complex considering looking for the school librarian.

The University library

The Senate building

Met a young man who was affable enough with his time to respond to my enquiries. My access card, the University Librarian wasn’t there. That was a Friday. The owner of the University, Deji Adeleke is a devout Adventist and that meant that by 1pm, administration basically shuts down. I was directed to meet with another high ranking official. Part of the sisterhood or so I thought. I was thoroughly mistaken. Remember I had my arsenals and even an additional one that involved collaborating with the school. I met with her, explained my mission and got this response: Oh, I am sorry, this is the university, that’s their private life. And what you have done is commendable. I wish you well in your pursuit. Head stretched out like an ostrich but no contact with what I had relentlessly worked on… (Digression: and I wondered, what I had done, since my package was staring back at me like a pariah). I understood everything she was saying but that didn’t stop me from feeling leprous. I had a smile pasted on my face but mentally, I had drowned). What baffled me more than anything was the unwillingness to engage. I felt like an ambulance chaser. But I also needed to get up and go. Package in hand and hopes in shatters, I did move and I also did wonder, is this the end of my short life as a writer? I chose not to park my dreams in that garage, so, I moved, my wedges clicking as I moved).

Reluctantly leaving the university behind, with a now chaotic itinerary, we drove aimlessly in the opposite direction of the university. Should we visit the governors office and hope to gatecrash again or should we go to the Springtime Development Foundation? As this decision was being pondered upon, we saw the signage of the foundation and we naturally veered into the premises.

Springtime Development Foundation (SDF) was founded in 1996 by Deji Adeleke, a natural philanthropist who was inspired by a life-changing experience at the 1995 World General Conference of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in the Netherlands. Its mission is to empower disadvantaged communities through a range of humanitarian services like physical church development, gospel propagation by providing resources and giving out scholarships, community development and being wholly involved in education, skills training, and healthcare. Over the past 20 years, SDF has operated on an annual budget of at least 200 million naira. (Digression: look up the naira to dollar conversion. The naira’s instability has made this a chore). Through one man’s generosity and vision, SDF continues to transform lives across Nigeria.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

Here, we miraculously met some people that made us feel that all hope was not lost. It was miraculous because at that time, considering it was still an Adventist organization, work had closed. The welcome was warm and gracious. We talked about the mission and also talked about the access. A call was actually put to see if we could get audience with the governor. Not that day- he was on his way to Lagos. It was in the news the following week that the Adelekes had made a handsome donation to their late matriarch’s church.

The 1billion ngn donation being announced by Dr. Deji Adeleke.

The dancing governor, Dr. Ademola Adeleke.

We exchanged cards and numbers. Then after that, voicemail. Silence. That’s for the gate keepers story.

Some custodians of the SDF.

Ede, strategically positioned at the crossroads of major cities, has a rich history dating back to the 16th century. Founded by the legendary hunter and warrior Timi Agbale Olofa-Ina, Ede grew from a small outpost protecting trade routes to become a thriving community known for its brave warriors and skilled hunters. Ede's economy is a fascinating blend of old and new. While agriculture remains a cornerstone, with farmers cultivating everything from yams to cocoa, small-scale industries and trading have become increasingly important. The vibrant Oja Timi market serves as the town's commercial heart, a place where tradition and modernity collide.

Owing to its three major tertiary instututions, the Federal Polytechnic, Adeleke University and the Redeemer’s University, Ede has grown in leaps and bounds in the academic field. Ede is predominantly a Muslim town, with approximately 60% of the population adhering to Islam. You could easily see that through the heads of hijabs floating around the market place. This religious influence is believed to date back to the 19th century during the reign of Timi Abibu Lagunju, the first Muslim Oba in Yoruba land. The fact that Ede is predominantly a muslim community didn't stop the proliferation of Christian worship centers. There is an abundance of churches to fit anyone's fancy. The rest of the people are believed to be traditionalists following the ways of their forefathers. Their faith is interlocked with their daily life, creating a unique sense of ‘us’.

We drove past before I realized we had just driven past a dam. Ede dam was built on the Osun River in the 1990s. We stopped smack on the narrow bridge to practically gawk at it. It provides water for Ede and other nearby towns and it was just so scenic. Standing on the narrow bridge overlooking the dam, to take a picture, I was struck by the juxtaposition of natural beauty and human ingenuity.

Ede dam

Humans in Ede are its greatest asset. They are known for their friendliness, hard work, and resilience. (Digression: that resilient word again). Despite facing many challenges, they continue to strive for a better future through improving farming methods, developing agro-processing industries and also developing a skilled workforce.

This city is a place of contrasts. It's a town where ancient traditions live alongside modern development.

It is a living, breathing testament to the resilience and spirit of its people. From the red earth roads to the halls of its prestigious institutions, Ede pulsates with life and potential. As I move away from this awesome town, I reflect on the fact that Ede is not just where the gatekeepers truncate dreams, but also and most importantly, where this remarkable and trailblazing family, the Adelekes call home.

Here, Davido, yes, the Davido goes to the Timi’s palace in Ede to pay obeisance.

Writing this wasn't so easy. I felt a bit traumatized remembering the gatekeepers and what I think was going on in their minds as I sat before them. Who the freaking hell is this clout chaser? I don't know how to get rid of that feeling. It haunts me.

See you soon. Peace.