21/09/2024
For a young man to be saddled with the responsibility of piloting the affairs of a Village in Nigeria is a daunting task. The very nature of our traditional Institution puts a premium on the hoary head and it is absent when the Father of the Village is young.
I have been ostracised by my peers due to this position and ridiculed for “relegating myself” to the village as a “local champion” at such a “tender” age. Your new peers who are much older Village Heads, when you start to attend meetings, look at you and say “what is this child looking for here”? You start to explain and explain. Its took a while before some will accept you into their fold. Of course you will be the one running errands for undeligated tasks.
Many of my “former” peers consider the office of the Village Head as one that is reserved for those who have retired, who have “little or nothing” to offer society. What is supposed to be a thing of pride and joy can quickly become an albatross that can prevent one from leading a normal and happy life. You struggle to identify with them because they now see you as one big man and respectfully sideline you.
Many start to perceive you have left the Christian faith. I explain taya. They say one has to be initiated into a “secret society or cult” so you can have “powers” to defend yourself against contending forces. I have talked and talked “ke mbana mkpo” because I have been a Christian for the better part of my life and have access to the Highest Powers so no need for these elementary devils. All my defence has been to no avail lol. I can not be trusted in some places “mbak ndi nor owo ifot”.
It is painful to be alienated and stigmatised for answering a call that is to promote peace and unity within the grassroots. For someone who has assimilated the elements of popular culture and have been used to the finer things of life, getting used to tieing wrapper is hard, very hard. You dress and have to use a staff. I have a aid I am not old so don’t need a staff. But you see the culture was for elders so a staff has been incorporated into the dress code so you can not do without it.
I laugh in Spanish when I tried to modernise some things and met a brick wall. I wanted to electronise announcements and get rid of the “Akpoko ibid” … for where. I wanted to allow women attend village meetings and give women a sense of belonging … they almost had my head.
A young monarch will definitely be on one or more social medium and if you are very vocal and sharp your mouth on things that you should be looking the other way be kiaful. You have to start to choose your words wisely as they may be your last as a monarch.
If you are actively in politics and was looking at vying for an elected office in Government or seek political appointment or you dabble in opposition politics; kiss that aspect of your life good bye. It won’t be happening.
With friends, acquaintances, Church brethren, pastors and business associates chances are they will not understand the significance of the royal family and may fear for their safety by association. Despite all the assurances that “the gods are on your side” and no harm will come to any of your associates, you may not be able to shake off the thought that you have become part of a fe**sh group of individuals and have to take part in their “clandestine village people” activities. For the non-initiates, there will definitely be a lot of apprehension and you may be the “lead suspect” if something happens out of the ordinary.
I have been able to intervene in crisis and avoid consulting soothsayers. As I am a Christian I have established my faith to reflect in Village meetings so no libation or ancestral worship. I can allow it for cultural and traditional displays on festivals just for the entertainment appeal. Maybe my successor will allow the old ways in his time but not mine as I was never accustomed to these practices as a child under a Christian father.
Someone may be asking if I would like to relinquish the throne? I would in a heartbeat and go back to a normal life. However, the times call for youthful injection into the system. Present day realities calls for a physically strong and youthful Village Head, that can rejuvenate our traditional institution. We have to be deliberate in refocusing the youths to the world autonomous vehicles, renewable energy, inter-planetary consciousness, artificial intelligence, robotics etc. China, Japan and many other countries have had traditionals that have spanned a thousand years but had to reposition themselves by reviewing and adapting their tradition to the changing times so their people can prosper. We have to give up some of our traditions or modernise them or risk loosing our heritage altogether.
