Mubarak Afolabi/ Sakirat Akinbami (Interns)
The family of late Egba warrior, Olubiyi Akinrinlewo Sodeke on Wednesday converged at their ancestral home located along Itoku-Sodeke-Ikija road in ancient town of Abeokuta, to celebrate him after 180 years of his demise.
Penpushing reports that part of activities for the occasion tagged ‘Sodeke Day’ was a lecture with the theme, ‘A Man Larger than His Frame: Sodeke and Abeokuta in the Eye of History’, as well as inauguration of the renovated building of the deceased by the family left behind.
The guest lecturer at the event Prof Rasheed Ajetumobi of the Department of History and Diplomatic Studies, Tai Solarin University of Education Ijagun, Ogun State in the paper presented described Sodeke as the Moses of the Egbas, who laid foundation for Egba nation
Penpushing further reports that Ajetumobi said the celebration to remember Sodeke should be seen by the Egbas, as appropriate time and avenue for them to be united, stressing that history is to unite rather than to disintegrate.
‘There is never a time in Yoruba or Egba history that unity is needed than now. If a child is not well-informed concerning documented history, he must have met oral tradition and oral tradition is the key to our early history’, he stated
‘The summary of today’s feedback is that we are all products of historical determination. Our identities-what we are, where we are, and who we are-are shaped by the events of the past. Our present is a culmination of all our yesterdays. It is essential to nurture our curiosity and that of future generations to understand and preserve their historical background’, Ajetumobi added.
Penpushing also reports that the lecturer commended the effort of the Sodeke’s family for organizing the ceremony, stressing that the gathering is apt that history brims with the stories of great men and women who did not care much about their own comforts, but committed to welfare of their people which Sodeke was a leading figure
‘There is no way the history of heroes, heroines, migrations and settlements in Nigeria will be written without adequate attention to a man that is larger than his frame. Pa Sodeke is undoubtedly a living legend as he left an indelible mark on the sound of history, his remembrance remains till eternity’, he emphasized
Penpushing reports that he added that the history of Sodeke was tied to the history of the Egba from the ancient homeland in Oko Egba which is located in modern day Oyo state, pointing out that the late Sodeke was a brave warrior who led the Egba to Abeokuta in 1830, thereby laying foundation for the Egba nation
‘Sodeke in relation to ancentral connection was from Egba village of Iporo. He became Secretary of the Egba Army after the death of Derihi who reign was short-lived. He was one of the anointed-the chosen. This is where Chief Sodeke stands in the view of history’, the lecturer stated
‘The administrative ingenuity, leadership skill and firmness of Chief Sodeke made him the undisputed leader of all the Egba in Abeokuta until he was called home on January 10, 1845. Chief Sodeke an undisputed war hero not just to Egba, but also to the Yoruba, did not die as many people felt, but only changed location to become a living legend’, he added
‘The celebration of today is an indication that he is alive. Those that live in the minds of the children and descendants long after they are considered dead, whose descendants have kept the flag of heroism and virtues flying actually did not die, such has been our experience of the departure of our great founding father whose children are colossus in their chosen fields of life’, Ajetumobi emphasized
Penpushing further reports that still on the personality of the deceased, he explained that records showed that he was strongly built physically fit without blemish, tall and handsome, as well as brave and committed to the liberation of his people
The guest lecturer added that late Sodeke was equally known to be very tolerant and accommodating, while his sense of judgment was unequal, and was a nation builder, stating that all these virtues his kinsmen and Yoruba descendants must imbibe to progress
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