A glorious future for Nigeria — by Adedokun Abolarin

My major assignment on the throne is to assiduously continue to work for a glorious future for our country, Nigeria.
I had an encounter some days ago in Osogbo that reminded me why this assignment is so urgent.

I was at ACE Supermarket , Alekuwodo , when I saw some school children around at a time when they ought to have been in school. I could not walk past them. I stopped and engaged them in a discussion.
They told me the truth. They were habitual latecomers, and the school had sent them away for the day. They told me themselves that it was a terrible habit.
I counselled them and I scolded them. I was with them for about 15 minutes, taking them through life — teaching them that lateness is not a small thing, it is a thief of destiny. That a child who cannot keep time today will struggle to keep opportunities tomorrow.

I rounded it up with my beautiful Abraham Lincoln statement: _”I am going to read, get myself prepared, thinking that my own time would come.” They felt remorseful. They were sorry. And in their eyes I saw hope — they did not need punishment, they needed guidance.

So I decided to walk them to their school for forgiveness. The school authority was happy to see me. After the children made a promise to be of good conduct, they were forgiven and allowed back into their classes. That is what leadership must be.

Our future ought to be a joint responsibility of us all. Parents, teachers, traditional rulers, government — we must all rise to correct our children with love, not abandon them to the street.

If we can save one child from the habit of lateness today, we may save a future President, a future Governor,a future Yoruba traditional ruler, a future teacher, a future father and mother tomorrow.

That is my assignment. And by God’s grace, I will not fail.

–Oba Abolarin is the Orangun of Oke-Ila