Lateef Olatunji Raji
“Had there been a missing link?” is the question I have asked severally after I came across an article about Shakespeare. Varying clear evidences from the article that presented him as the greatest writer in the English Language and the preeminent dramist of his time, there is perceived undertone that challenges his physical appearance, gender, religious affiliation and whether he ever wrote those works attributed to him. This reality has since then given me that better understanding of why the generations of our fathers give deserving attention to history and sources of evidences that make reliability from such accounts. The wisdom in any greatness is to realise how important not to forget the journey that gives the voice of any great man global attention. “Poverty is a stubborn goat, I never leave the cane I once used to chase it” was the remark of Chief M.K.O Abiola in a book titled, “The Legend of Àrẹ́-ọ̀nà-Kakaǹfò”. As the man of remarkable landmarks watches the multiplication effects of his efforts – even when he has not stopped breaking new grounds of productivity – his eyes should be wide opened to the celebrations in appreciation of his consistency.
Our comment could encourage simple act of good deed, the tiniest evil that could destroy the world could be discouraged through it. It looks ridiculous that people often wonder why something happens to them in life. The world will respond to human with what he is ready to path way with in sacrifice. Affection cannot be received when one fails to give love. The world has not ceased to benefit from the kindness and generosity of Prof. Toyin Falọla that is why the day will hardly pass without new texts, titles and honours to his name. You will wonder, how a university in far Belgium has a place named after a black man. “No single road leads to the market” is Prof. Falọla’ approach in his engagements and that is why people have considered him intellectual market as they find different ways to acknowledge his works. He has not only built roads around him, others travel the roads with his guide as they also build roads to reach him.
A library will always be relevant and useful when updated. Prof. Toyin Falọla has become a library and repository of wisdom where people visit to acquire knowledge and wisdom through expensive books. An extension of him offers newspaper articles and essays of societal components. He has created space in his library of electronic media to connect the world and sensitize Africans through valuable interviews. The documentary, “The Genius of Falola”, may appear to have detailed information about him but I understand that the relevance of people like him is eternal and the work that will describe such personalities will be continuous. Prof. Falola’s high-energy levels look mysterious with what comes with that inner strong spirit at his age I have found the observation of Daniel Walter in his book, “The Power of Discipline”, a justification for his unrelenting soul. Walter inquisition was how Deepak Chopra, one the most successful self-development experts in the world, was still very active at 73 as he travelled around the world to give speeches and still keeps his publishing empires with other demands. His response, according to him, was ‘Don’t try, Do”. It is certain that Prof. Falola doesn’t just try, he does. That is why ideals evolve in space. His labour of investment has continued to attract celebrations every time (Béèyàn kò bá fi àná sòfò; kò níí fi òní ṣe ẹ̀sín):
Báa bá wẹ̀kun ayé, tá à rì
Táa gun gègéle, tá à já bọ́
Tí a rin pẹ̀tẹ́lẹ̀ ilẹ̀, tá à rá
Tá ṣe kòńgẹ́ afẹ́fẹ́; tó pa ọ̀pọ̀, táa yè é
Báa bá rántí orí, rántí ẹlẹ́dàá
Tó gbeni, sààbò ẹni
Báa bá gbè fórí, fìyìn fẸ́lẹ́dàá, kò léèwọ̀.
“Ayé lọjà”
Báa bá wáyé nájà jèrè, kì í ṣagbára
Ọ̀pò ló wáyé, wà láàyè bí aláìsí
Orí tó gbeni, lè ṣàtakò ẹni
Orí tí yóò gbè ọmọ Fálọlá
Ló jẹ́ ó nájà jèrè dọjọ́ alẹ́.
Bẹ́dàá bá ronú jinlẹ̀ áá mọ̀
Ká tó dáyé laláyé ti ń ṣayé
Nígbà táa dáyé, à ń bá wọn ṣayé
Ẹ̀yín bá wọn ṣayé, ẹ tún ń ṣayé ire
Báà bá sí láyé, aláyé a ṣayé
Ayé ò dúró, lèrò yín ò fi dúró
Lórí à ti gún ayé, lẹ́ fi dọlọ́pọ̀ èèyàn
Ayé ti ń kọrin, Kẹ́ẹ tó dolórin
Ohùn ọ̀tọ̀ lorin yín fi dùn yàtọ̀ létí ọmọ ènìyàn
Ayé ti ń rọ́tàn, kẹ́ e tó donítàn
Ìtan ò dùn bíi ká mò ọ́ rọ́
Orin dùn lẹ́nu baba
Ìtán dùn lẹ́nu àgbà òpìtàn
Baba mọ̀ràn, mọ̀tàn, mẹ̀tọ́, mètò
Niná ọlá, iyì baba
Fi ń fojoójúmọ́ gòkè
Ọlá ìbí wá ń kún
Ọlá ibi a gbé bí baba
Ọmọ Fálọlá wáá di Ọmọ́kọ́lá
Tí ọ̀rọ̀ rẹ̀ ń fojoójúmọ́ yàn
Béèyàn ò bá fàná ṣòfò
Kò níí fèní ṣẹ̀sín
Prof. Falọla finds his way to the top of his career but he never considered the peak as resting place. As he continues to make the world sees endless values through his works, people also find ways to acknowledge his efforts through the language the world find meanings. Values will continue to attract celebrations (Kòkòrò tó ń jẹ̀fọ́ jàre ẹ̀fọ́, ìwọ̀n lẹwéko ń dára mọ). Thanks to Inni Essiet who came up with the documentary. There are life-long lessons to hold on to from this and this has been summarised as a model for guidance as you continue to reveal yourself to us in other ways that are yet unknown through your works. “The genius is not only what the mind possesses, it is what a person repeatedly does with time.” is an expression that shows that genius may not be born but built. Neither the colour of our skin nor our age could be a barrier to meanings from people, places and the world at large. Our life will definitely become history that generations of people will continue to read.