THOUGHTS OF FEMOLAD: ONILAJA AKESAN (The Peace Maker of Akesan)

 

ONILAJA AKESAN (The Peace Maker of Akesan)

 The market institution has been an integral part of the Yoruba community and custom since time immemorial. Markets are a mainstay of the Yoruba community as majority were farmers who could not eat their produce alone and had to exchange some for other commodities and services. And with the introduction of money into the economy and creation of permanent sites for marketing activities, the markets became more integral to every community.

Markets were not only the economic sustenance tools but they became the centre for information dissemination, town meetings, religious and political gatherings as well as social engagements. Consequently, specific days were set aside for market functions, making the periodic market the first to evolve within the Yoruba society; though the exact period it started cannot be easily traced in history.

In Oyo town, Akesan market, also called Oja Oba (King’s market) is very close to the Alaafin’s Palace.

In the olden days (and even up till now) traders, farmers, artisans and other people came to Akesan even from very far places. People came from different parts of Yoruba land. Ife, Ilesha,Ibadan Okitipupa, Eko (now Lagos), even as far as Dahomey(Benin Republic). It was not out of place to find people from present day Benue and Plateau states as well as Fulani traders with their cattle.

Akesan was the biggest market in Oyo.

 

It was not just a trade center but also an information hub.

 

Onilaja was an itinerant trader. He didn’t have enough wares to take to the market yet he went every market day. He never missed one. No Akesan market day was complete without the ubiquitous Onilaja. Actually that was not his real name. It was a derisive nick name given to him because of his activities.

Onilaja came to the market only to settle disputes and avert quarrels. He went around the market all day making peace. Everyone who came to Akesan (no matter where they came from) knew him. He was derided and mocked. Many looked at him as a lazy man. Some saw in him a clown to provide comic relief in a very busy market.

But he was undeterred.

He kept doing what he knew how to do best.

To the market men and women his future was bleak, if he had any future at all.

He continued making peace in Akesan.

He was consistent.

One day his story changed.

It started as a typical Akesan market day.

An emisary of a prominent farmer from the middle belt had been sent to Oyo to buy ten thousand hoes. Alaafin’s slave was also in the market to sell hoes. He had more than ten thousand hoes. They were about sealing the deal when trouble started. 

Ikaramu, the farmer’s slave said his master instructed him to buy each hoe for a hundred cowries. Alaafin’s slave insisted he must not flout Alaafin’s order to sell each hoe for twenty cowries. It became quite rowdy. The market activities was being disrupted.

“Call Onilaja”, the market people chorused.

He came and asked both sides what the problem was and each explained. “It is simple”, Onilaja replied.

He collected a million cowries from Ikaramu, gave Eru Alaafin two hundred thousand cowries and collected ten thousand hoes which he gave to Ikaramu. Everybody was happy. The market became conducive for business. They thanked Onilaja.

In one single transaction (without bringing any goods to the market), Onilaja Akesan had made a profit of eight hundred thousand cowries.

He subsequently became rich and affluent.

He had reaped the fruit of being consistent in what he knows how to do best.

Whatever it is you are good at doing. That thing that people know you for. Keep doing it. It pays to be consistent and not be waved by opinions of others.

When a man keeps at it, he becomes more proficient.

Whether it is Business, Politics, Governance or any other facet of life, it pays to be consistent.

Look away and don’t be distracted by the thoughts and opinions of other people who often don’t see what you see.

People will mock you, some out of envy, others because they are far below you.

Neither Ikaramu nor Alaafin could have given Onilaja eight hundred thousand cowries. None of the traders in the market could have made that much in one deal in one day.

Of note is the fact that Onilaja was not doing it for personal or selfish reasons. He wasn’t trying to impress anyone by his deeds. He was just doing his heart’s bidding and enjoying it. He went home each market day beaming with smiles of satisfaction.

 

Seeing other people make money didn’t change him. He had a mission to fulfil. They had theirs.

 

But because he kept on undeterred, his day came.

 

Be constant, be consistent. One day you will reap the fruits, like ONILAJA AKESAN.

Femi Ladapo (Femolad) writes from Ibadan, Nigeria