A TALE TO BE TOLD.

Although short but it's worth been told cos its true life story

I have had the opportunity of visiting many villages in the state of Kwara, while i was there during a short stay, but i want to speak on one of the villages that nature trilled me the most and the village is called OKE ODE.

Oke Ode is a very small village in the Irepodun Local Government Area Of Kwara state, emanating from the Igbomina tribe of Kwara state, the village carries great title and responsibilities as tied to its name 'OKE ODE'...... translating thus 'HUNTER'S DEN.'

Every matured man in the village is known to be trained from youth the basic tactics of hunting and setting traps for prey, while setting off to hunt it is always said that no hunter comes home without an animal been killed. Often times more than an animal is been killed, therefore other villages nearby grant absolute reverence to the village of OKE ODE for their bravery, and embedded hunting skills.  

The village is made of several chiefs and definitely a ruler (King). The villagers are the hard working type i have seen and met while in Kwara and facing your job squarely at work hours is their daily tolls.

I was privileged to make friends with the Prince of the OKE ODE while i was in Ilorin town the capital of Kwara State, in person of Prince Yusuff Ademola AbulKadir who employed me someday to take me to his home town on one of the weekends and offer me a threat of my life, which i succumb to

On getting to the village on a tour drive by the Prince, i was gladly welcomed by Palace people and the King of OKE ODE himself, HRM Oba Abdulkadir Adelodun Elesha of Oke Ode, welcomed me with open arms and love although at my time of entry the house was so full and the Oba's wives weren't in. The prince aids and co-horst went in and made me a very soft semolina with already made vegetable soup and the king himself gave me some bush meat.....it was a night i can never forget.

Later that evening, the Prince Yusuff, took me to a cool spot in the heart of the village and the place was named Sadia Lodge. On getting to the cool spot, we met with couple of villagers who are fun seekers like we are, drinking and relaxing. 

On sighting the Prince, they started throwing praises and clearing way forward for us to pass and even got us a table and chair set for us both while they grabbed their chairs and join our table as well. Amongst those that sat with us were Police officers, Hunters, Traditionalist, Blacksmith..... With am ambiance of nature surrounding and giving us a reason to eat more smoked bush meat during our quest to cancelling more bottles of beer as it comes.

Alas the weather began to change. I thought and said to myself it was going to rain, but hell no, the weather remain as thus thick and the traditionalist and the herbalist amongst us started conjuring and laying their IFA platform on the ground and they started saying virtually the same thing, the Oracle said

I was a stranger in their midst and i am very welcome, that although they know my visit was short but i am going to be successful in all i tend to do in the state, that i have come with a plain and sincere heart and at such should i continue to live........till we left the place, the climate remain still just like that and i said to myself the god in this town knew a stranger was in and was happy to the extent of wanting to cry out rain........

 

My stay in the town was a peaceful one and i learnt couple of things as a Yoruba born and brought up boy, lessons for life NEVER UNDERESTIMATE THE LESSER gods....... cos they still exists.