Dr Michael Afolayan
This Kabiyesi is himself a marvel. He is like a proverbial “thief” who knows how to track the footprints of a thief even on a rocky path. Kabiyesi is a man of honor and dignity; he never looks down at anyone, not even the students – the least of his subjects, his adoptive children in his school, Abolarin College, Òkè-Ìlá. I’ve been there, and I have seen him in class with the students, on campus chatting with them, and in life mentoring those precious jewels. It is not surprising, then, that not only did Oba Dr. Abolarin notice this attribute in Falola, but reflected over it, and reduced it into serious writing. It’s the stuff that great minds are made of. Again, thanks a bunch, Kabiyesi. May the wreath of royalty stay long on your brows and may you wear the regal shoes for a long time to come!
Kabiyesi, you truly put the right peg in the right hole. You spoke the truth. I don’t know your old school principal, but I know Professor Toyin Falola, as he is a mutual friend to both of us. You spoke well and spoke right. I have never been a kegite, but I borrow one of their “comradic” greetings here to say, “Kabiyesi, you are highly carried!”
Indeed, you are right, TF is respectful, I mean very respectful! He remains remarkably grounded despite his considerable achievements, wearing his success with quiet humility. He is a man blessed with a rare gift for achieving at a high level while treating everyone with equal respect. He leads the huge pack of scholars with grace and never lets his rank or achievements create a barrier with the team. He is as approachable and egalitarian as he is accomplished. Am I surprised at his paying obeisance to the octogenarian? Not one tiny bit. In fact, we were together at Comrade Hassan Sunmonu’s house the following morning, and he paid the same due respect to the great statesman. The good part of it is that he would do the same if he were to come in contact with an elderly beggar on the street. A fraction of TF’s achievement would turn some into an ìgunnukó looking down at all others from their high towers of what our elders call “the horse of roaches” and their elephantine chests would become that of a chimpanzee. Not so for this man, and I can vouch for it. Falola wears the ethos of ọmọluwàbí as his second nature, but don’t try to cheat him o. If you do, that’s the only time you may be forced to know of his Ibadan ancestry – from Àkánrán. Seriously speaking, he certainly knows how to wash his hands, and will forever dine with the elders. May his tribe increase among us!