Chief George Arayesomo Orilabawaye: 29years after.

 

Chief George Arayesomo Orilabawaye: 29years after.

Biyi Orilabawaye 

It was early morning of Friday, 6th of July, 1990. He was planning,as usual to go to the farm, he was trying strenuously to wheel out his Motorcycle he parked in the pavement of the house. My younger brother, Kayode Orilabawaye ( now deceased) that first sighted the old man, struggling to pull out the motorcycle. He drew my attention to the scene, and, pronto, we rushed there to help but, the man was shivering and stuttering! What could have happened?

Immediately, we sent for our mothers that were already on their ways to the farm and alerted his younger cousin of our discovery. They rushed in and called in the village pharmacist, ( Bob Risky) who later came in to insert some of his medical gadgets to no avail! 

 Before long, the community people had started gathering in cycle, whispering some inaudible instructions. I got alarmed when I overheard some Chiefs saying, how would the children in the cities be contacted. Oh, it's getting serious, I soliloquized!

All efforts to revive him failed and by 10pm on same day, my father passed away. ....

On reflection, did he know he would die soon? Why the numerous instructions given to us all including my mother, that he would soon be traveling. Where exactly did he intends to go? Few weeks before his demise, I moved to one of the boys'quarters behind the main building. He ordered me back and told me pointedly that who will I be leaving his house for?!  I didn't really understand the drift.

Another telltale signs he left, was: Baba had a tradition. He wouldn't allow us to go to school during the first week of resumption. He believed that, no serious academic  work will take place. He broke the rule a day before he died. While still observing the mandatory 1 week absent from school, he suddenly called me on Thursday of same week, handed me my school fees and ordered me back to school! He died the next day! 

Chief George Arayesomo Orilabawaye, was in the middle of four other brothers ( Two Older and two younger than him). He was a very industrious and enterprising man. He was a timber seller, farmer, clothes and shoes seller and even a tax collector at different times. He was the head of Olorogun family until his demise. He was a community leader and spearheaded lots of community oriented development. 

Through communal efforts, the only government secondary school till now was built by them. Some specific days were dedicated for road maintenance. I ransacked his room recently, I was not surprised that Baba  was Chairman of countless "Esusu" contributions. I saw as well his membership card of UPN, a financial commitments card where the inimitable Chief Obafemi Awolowo duly appended his signature.

Ordinarily, by virtue of age, I should be his grandson. My mother was his youngest wife where some of his children were older than her! In the family, some of my nephews and nieces are older than me, but, I remain their uncle! That's how we roll.

Since he was already old, but still agile, when I was growing up, I was incharge of most of his activities ( apart from money oooo). I knew where and what were being kept. Whenever they were attending some important meetings, we carried their chairs and sat behind them. Perhaps, that was where the initiation started...

Personally, I have a lot to write about our Father. He was strict, firm and rigid.He was neat and handsome. He wore white clothes often. Outside the house, he hardly talks. Behind him, we the children nicknamed him an old Soldier! For he used his cane lavishly on us, trying his best to whip us to sanity.

For 29 years, several events have taken place in the family that have tested our resolves. Inspite of all, we must appreciate God almighty and thank Him profusely for keeping the family together. 

Ara San

Ategun Fe

Iji ja, sugbon ko gbe wa lo.

May God uphold the unity of the family. Henceforth, may He give us visible blessings. May the storm of untimely death stop forever. 

Pray for the family. 

It's well.