Where Were You & What Did You Do When Ikeji Ile Ijesa Began To Degenerate?

Where Were You & What Did You Do When Ikeji Ile Ijesa Began To Degenerate?
Dear Indigenes!
Fellow Indigene of this Great Community (Ikeji Ile Ijesa),
I have now come to discovered and agreed that we are the only
one that can build Ikeji Ile Ijesa. So, we have to join hands together and participate in the building of Ikeji Ile Ijesa by doing what we know best in moving our Jerusalem (Ikeji Ile Ijesa) forward so that history will not pose an unable to answered question to us.
If you are a famous young writer, and you do not write about the quandary of Ikeji Ile Ijesa Indigenes, history will ask: Where were you, and what did you do when Ikeji Ile Ijesa began to degenerate?
If you are a prolific young journalist, and you say nothing about corrupt politicians who shares the money for the development of Ikeji Ile Ijesa, posterity will ask: Where were you and what did you do when Ikeji Ile Ijesa began to degenerate?
If you are a flourishing young entrepreneur, and you do not contribute to the improvement of the lives of the destitute in Ikeji Ile Ijesa, future generations will ask: Where were you, and what did you do when Ikeji Ile Ijesa began to degenerate?
If you are a singer, and you do not sing in defence of the downtrodden in Ikeji Ile Ijesa, history will also pose a question to you: Where were you and what did you do when Ikeji Ile Ijesa began to degenerate?
If you are a pastor that refuses to seek the face God for the betterment of Ikeji Ile Ijesa, instead, you keep praying for your self-interest (remember that the ‘betterment of Jerusalem is the betterment of the Jews’), posterity will ask: Where were you and what did you do when Ikeji Ile Ijesa began to deteriorate?
If you are a teacher that teaches the student formal education but you forget to teach them morals, future generations will ask: Where were you and what did you do when Ikeji Ile Ijesa began to degenerate?
If you a Councillor that the people voted for, with the aim of developing the community (because they believed in you, your ability and capability that you will deliver to the downtrodden) but you got there and served your pocket, history will also pose a question to you: Where were you and what did you do when Ikeji Ile Ijesa began to disintegrate?
It does not matter what kind of work you do, there is a role you can/must play to stop the perversion of our Jerusalem (Ikeji Ile Ijesa). Your success will mean nothing if it is not connected with the general advancement of Ikeji Ile Ijesa. Remember a quote that says “A man is not remembered for what he possessed on earth but he’s remembered for his contribution to the Development and Enlargement of his Nation/Community and his Kindred”; our own Community is Ikeji Ile Ijesa and our Kindred are the people in Ikeji Ile Ijesa.
Frantz Fanon said something in ((Wretched of the Earth)) one of his books I read:
I quote; ‘…We who are citizens of the under-developed countries, we aught to seek every occasion for contacts with the rural masses; we aught never to lose contact with the people [who have] battled for [their] independence and for the concrete betterment of [their] existence.’
Extracting my point out of the quote;
‘…We the natives/indigenes of Ikeji Ile Ijesa, we aught to think on how to better the lives of other indigenes (be it morally or financially), we aught to think on how to contribute to the development of Ikeji Ile Ijesa, we aught to ponder what we can do to make Ikeji Ile Ijesa Great.’ Ask yourself now, How and When will I respond to Frantz Fanon’s call?
If you do not ask yourself this soul-searching question, you might find yourself unable to respond when future generations ask: Where were you and what did you do when Ikeji Ile Ijesa began to degenerate?
Who amongst you does not blame on the government for not developing Nigeria without remembering the word of John Fitzgerald Kennedy that says “Let us not ask what our country should do for us, rather let us ask what we shall do for our country” and this way, I think that we will be on the right path to building a greater nation. It is not about how late we start, it is all about starting first that defines our goal, motive, mission and vision to building a great nation “Nigeria”. (It is not how far, but it is how well)? Remember that ‘when you point an accusing finger at someone, the remaining four (4) points to you.’ Please, don’t get me wrong here, It is good to Criticize a Government that is not working, but, as you criticize, try to ask yourself this question ‘what has been my contribution to the development of my Community?’ The Government can’t provide all our needs. So, let us ask ourselves what we can do for Ikeji Ile Ijesa to make her Great. It is not about how late we start, it is all about starting first that defines our goal, motive, mission and vision to building a great Ikeji Ile Ijesa.
I see no person better than You & I to rescue our town from ignorance (which is poverty, poverty of idea) on the side of Ikeji Ile Ijesa based youths. I see no other group of young people better than You & I to lead Ikeji Ile Ijesa to the Path of Greatness. I also think You & I have an immediate responsibility to halt Ikeji Ile Ijesa’s slide into hopelessness. But when You & I do it, keep in mind that future generations will still ask: Where were you and what did you do when Ikeji Ile Ijesa began to degenerate? I guess by then, we will be able to give an answer to the question.

Where were you, and what did you do when Ikeji Ile Ijesa began to degenerate? Will you be able to give an answer to this question when future generations ask you?

Thank you very much!

May Peace Be With You All (Amen)!
Together We Can Build Ikeji Ile Ijesa!
God Bless Ikeji Ile Ijesa!!
God Bless You All!!!


© Oluwatomilola K. Boyinde,
E3/G27, Boyinde’s Compound,
Oke Oja/Odo Ipo Street,
Ikeji Arakeji Road,
Ikeji Ile Ijesa.