Life, living and passing; confounding phenomena exciting continual scrutiny from human keenness, that acute awareness in a being and the inexorable transition to the vortex of new beginnings, with all benumbing propensities, direct, almost always, preferred courses charted in mankind’s quest for happiness. The race for survival often blurs the consciousness of Being arising from Nothingness. The consuming impulsion for visibility, in this quest, goads mortals to interact with their natural environment, leaving indelible imprints.
Existence precedes essence, whose tenure hangs on vaporizing tentacles of vanishing realities. Great structures, iconic and abiding, locked in a fatal combat, perennially, with Time, soon bow to its suzerainty; patient, resilient and overbearing. Heroes and villains have their appointed destinies with the impartial equalizer, after slipping into Hades, dissolving into objects of historicism. Ascendance and descent, rise and decline, germination, blossoming, death and ultimate decay, all possess innate, antagonistic characteristics maintaining the equilibrium in the natural order. They belong in the same essential duality which sustains the universe.
History, that weapon of the triumphant, a pastime of the jaundiced, the vocation of tutored chroniclers, presents accounts of remarkable interventions in varying shades and complexities. Actions and activities are gleaned from varied and variegated prisms, depending on sociopolitical expediencies. Interpretations of historical events are slanted, almost always, to promote triumphalism, bigotry, among other instruments of social coercion and control. The purpose for which an account is rendered matters. The interests and beliefs of the chroniclers are of great significance too.
The subjects of scrutiny and, sometimes, deliberate and crude revisionism, and the consumers of the concoctions of the epochal chronicles are indispensable agents in the politics of historiography. Motion, movement, growth and development, all bear that unique natural characteristic, innate, organic impulse, that predisposition to continual purposeful agitation, uncomfortable with complacent stillness. Potentialities transmute into actualities, which give provenance to imprints, most times fleeting, rarely remarkable. It is the daring and resilient spirit who leaves a mark of indelibility. Existence is given, essence is sublime.
Fortunate indeed is he who stands as a witness to history in the life of a group, society and country. Happy are those granted the privilege to partake of the unique and memorable events in the affairs of any people. The lives of great men remind us that even we can make ours sublime. The sterling qualities of exceptional personalities point to the infinite possibilities of achieving greatness, if we remain focused, consistent and persistent until an impact is noticeable. Outstanding individuals in human societies possess these attributes. Though not entirely blameless, the frailties integral to the composition of the species of homo sapiens ensure the progression towards the ultimate goals in fits and starts.
Remarkable deeds stand in praise of heroes and heroines. The deleterious impact of misadventure and disruptions of human programmes of activities, considered beneficial to the human society, remain in utter damnation of the narcissistic and avaricious misanthropes, hypocrites and parasites, burdens of pestilential proportions on mankind. Any person, whose existence provides a soothing balm on the excruciating pains wrought by happenstances and circumstances of existence, is a hero indeed. A teacher and mind molder is indeed an architect of an abiding society. Veneration is given; celebration for the deserving must be ensured by all those who understand the meaning of greatness. As the villain gets the deserving scorn and reprimand, genuine contriteness should attract condonation. Perfection belongs to the celestial realm.
Very few relish in the beneficence of purposeful living, graciously permitted by providence, to lead a life of achievement and fulfilment. Longevity plays no significant role in the quality of existence. A family pedigree or social status may be a fillip propelling the determined towards greatness. It is not the sole determinant. The offspring of great men are not necessarily going to be great. Nature offers a redemptive oasis for even the unfortunate litters of the insignificant and lowly to lead exemplary lives. The cyclic movement spirals, sometimes into acceleration whose rapidity falls beyond the realm of control by mortals, inexorably setting in motion and maintaining the natural ordinance regarding existence and essence. Life’s mystery will continue to confound all still.
SOLA AJISAFE: writing about this enigma excites deep emotions, depending on the divide of the political spectrum in Nigeria, particularly Ondo State. Nevertheless, there is bound to be a unanimity of opinion on the essential character of this special being who radiates peace, decency and uncommon humility. Those privileged to share affinity with him, not only on account of consanguinity, cannot but agree that here is a man in whose presence one feels instant, unpretentious warmth.
He has an ear for every reasonable solicitation, despite his modest means. What appears as lacking in material acquisition abounds in essence. Abundance is not measured solely on rapacious acquisition of filthy lucre. A life spent in moderate revelry and egregious chivalry should be far appreciated than a pretentious, sycophantic and hypocritical existence. Nobody can assert, without looking funny, that this man has, either by implied or expressed conduct, ever joined the misanthropes with ubiquitous and oppressive presences. He has chosen a permanent spot on the side of the downtrodden.
I attest, boldly, and without any reservations whatsoever, that this is a man whose conduct earns the trust of decent people. His presence in any gathering also reminds the unscrupulous of the limits to uppity and hubris. I was a beneficiary of his fair-mindedness while I had the privilege of serving in Ondo State under the gadfly, Aketi. I recall with fond memories how he stood to be counted among the few who stood by our principled stance on public service for the good of the people.
Fondly addressed as Fundamental Ajiology, this uncommon activist was among the few functionaries in Aketi’s Government who stood to be counted among those who held aloft the banner of rectitude, despite acute privation by power- mongering sycophants. I had been accused of slapping a pregnant woman in the marketplace. The wicked fabrication was well orchestrated by some disgruntled members of Aketi’s cabinet who supported others from the leadership of the transport unions made to give up a paltry part of the humongous revenue they stole with the connivance of these enemies of the people.
Sola Ajisafe was resolute on the need to join issues with the elements bent on killing the Mockingbird from Ogere Remo. He challenged the purveyors of mendacity to come to the public space with facts evidencing recklessness. He took this position, consistently, until the last days of the Administration. He remains steadfast still. It was, therefore, not surprising identifying him with a political tendency of the rump of Aketi political group in spite of the open sesame of political harlotry.
I count myself lucky to be among those considered his friends. He confided in me reasons why he felt that Aketi had wronged him. I agreed with him and challenged my Egbon on the manifest injustice. A mutual acquaintance also supported us and some mitigation ensued, even if grossly inadequate a recompense for loyalty, honesty, humility and friendship. I begged him not to leave the government and he listened. I thank him for it, even now. He had every justification to have joined the erstwhile beneficiaries of large-heartedness and good upbringing who decided to kick their benefactor when he was at his weakest. He kept his record of consistency untainted till date.
Sola Ajisafe attains the age of sixty with the dignity expected of a freeborn in our space. Longevity is meaningless shorn off the courage one brings to life. The quality of existence is of greater value than the number of years spent on the terrestrial plane.
I join all good people to celebrate my friend, brother and Comrade, Fundamental Ajiology.
Igba Odun, Odun kan ni.
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