ENCOMIUMS AS BOOK ON HISTORY OF IMESI-ILE WAS LAUNCHED IN OSOGBO
A former Secretary to the State Government (SSG) in Osun State, Elder Folorunso Oladapo Abiona has expressed happiness and satisfaction over formal presentation of a book titled “Imesi-Ile : The ancient capital of the Ekitiparapos (a journal of historical journey) Volume One” in Osogbo Osun State capital on Friday.
This was part of his opening remarks as the Chairman of the occasion, where he described the author of the book, Prince James Oludare Arinloye as a true son of Imesi-Ile and a historian per excellence, found in this current generation.
According to him, the book is very significant because of being historic in the existence of Imesi-Ile, as an ancient town in Yorubaland.
Elder Abiona who pointed out that the Holy Bible and Qur’an are read worldwide today however lamented the inability of the entire black race to write history and publish books from time to time.
According to him “our situation as a people has been in a mess because writers of history are no more. Why is the blackmen not writing down their history? Anytime I see Africans putting pen on paper, I feel happy”.
Elder Abiona also lauded the focus, doggedness and knowledgeable inspiration of the author, who painstakingly concretize important happenings about Imesi-Ile inside the book.
Earlier in the author’s welcome address, a graduate of accounting, a lecturer and historian, Prince Arinloye has pointed out that history writing ” must not be left exclusively to the historians” and that he has commenced work on the book exactly 45 years ago. “The journey started in 1976 as a primary school pupil in Imesi-Ile” he said.
The presentation day, according to the him is historic. “It is a day of history because I am presenting to the world a book that journalizes the historical journey of a town (Imesi-Ile) that once served as the capital of a Confederacy of towns and villages in Yorubaland”, he explained.
Prince Arinloye maintained that it was his own quota, towards progress and development as an indigene of the town.
“I have written more than 10 academic books, apart from journals, but none of these was of any direct benefit to my community (Imesi-Ile). So, this publication is a token of my contribution to community development” he said.
In his words, the Arojo of Irojo, Oba Moses Olusegun who represented the Owa Obokun of Ijesaland, Oba Dr. Gabriel Adekunle Aromolaran, criticised the alarming rate at which Yoruba norms, values and cultural heritage are gradually going into extinction.
Oba Adekunle berated the educated Yoruba people for being the enemies of Yoruba race. He frowned at some Yoruba parents who speak borrowed languages to their children and whose cultural heritage has been jettisoned.
Oba Adekunle who expressed Oba Aromolaran’s happiness and interest in the book therefore urged all Yoruba indegenes to turn over a new leaf and uphold the cultural ethos of the Yoruba race at all times.
The Ooni of Ife, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II was also represented and was indeed very glad at the author for the documentation of a vital Yoruba history, contained in the book.
The Arole Oodua also prayed for the author towards more progress and positive attainments in life.
Important dignitaries whose presence graced the occasion included but not limited to Mr. Folusho Aderogba who agreed to review the book after it has been appraised to be a good read, not only to the people of Imesi-Ile but also for the entire Yoruba race in this generation and posterity yet unborn.
Oba Enoch Ademola, Oyoyo II of Imesi-Ile who was represented by Elder Kayode Omole, Barrister Ojo Williams and a former Permanent Secretary in Osun State, Sir Olusola Oni were among those who saluted the persistence and courage of the author for the great achievement of the book.
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