Sometime In September

L-R Bamidele Oni, Mike Wingfield ( President International Union of Forestry Research Org), Jimmy Pavon

Sometime ago I came across a rather word of motivation that says "Aim for the moon, if you miss, you may hit a star" This I can affirm to as my "Green the World mission" took me through an unexpected journey. This style could sound a little different from my usual writings but it sure does no harm to add a little story to the many serious notes.

Earlier in the year I came across a post online as regards an opportunity for young and motivated innovators to speak concerning their relative social projects at a world congress in South Africa. I was greatly motivated to submit an application and in a way I was really hopeful that I could possibly make it this time around and be part of the winners to make it to the global gathering and even as I had always dreamt of such opportunity to showcase my works and be a motivation to other youths from around the world. 

So it all started, with many great competitors from all around the world with mind blowing initiatives and fantastic projects. For the records, I must say, there has not been a generation that is so full of potentials that could set a course of change for the whole of humanity. It is indeed a period in our history that a lot of young minds are so filled with incredible ideas as to changing the world for the better. As part of the winning steps, every competitor needed to make public their relative entry page which comprised of a video and a descriptive blog) and this was meant to enable a strategy of public voting and endorsement, so the more likes and endorsement an entry page has, the greater the potential of making the final listing.

The period was quite an engaging one as I had to constantly share the link on my social media platforms and more importantly with friends and fans so as to garner more likes. The process took like forever and while this was going on I came across a related opportunity that entailed a sponsorship cover to attend the same event and of course with extra responsibilities. I decided to take my chances with the application as well and at the end of the day I had my expectations at both ends but with a lot of focus on the bigger stage.

Some few weeks to the event I received a mail notification that I had been shortlisted as a winner of the all paid round trip to the event. It was quite a great news and I was certain I was going to make it to the World Forestry Congress in Durban, South Africa, but still a larger part of expectation was so attached to winning the part of the Youth speaker category. While still waiting for the results I decided to make do with the already much guaranteed sponsorship and I went about with the trip logistics. I had obtained my visa and gotten my ticket ready when the announcement finally came out and it was not in tune with my expectations, my entry did not make the final listing for the youth speaker category but with the consolation of my Green Impact Initiative being among the entries to be exhibited on the screen. On one part I was sad but at the same time I felt a contentment that I would still be at the event.

Alongside setting my travel plans I made preparation for my own personal exhibition and publicity, I made sure I had in my luggage a brand T-shirt of my Organization that would be glaring enough for publicity even if I did not end up on the stage as a youth speaker and some printed copies of organization's profile alongside with pictures of the Green moves so far. While of course I never forgot to pack some Christian tracts to share on my trip as it had always been my habit of sharing  the good news of my faith.

I arrived at the International terminals of O.R Tambo airport in Johannesburg on a Saturday to a real Cold weather that I seemed to not be well prepared for. I thereafter took a connecting flight to Durban where the World Forestry Congress was scheduled to hold. This was however my second visit to the beautiful coastal city of Durban and I had no difficulty in finding my way around and settling down.

Following the schedules of my responsibilities as being a sponsored youth delegation under an international

 organization, I had to make myself available for the preparation for the coming side event for which reason I was sponsored. It was a great moment though, meeting with a lot of young fellows from all across the world
and sharing ideas and thoughts. Then the engagement session started and we had a lot of presentations of which like always I was part of the lead presenters. At the end of the joint work session, there had to be the finalization as to coming up with the final compilations and choosing the presenters for the main event. About 10 youths signified interests as being the lead presenters and panellist and yours sincerely was definitely among them and still in my mind I was filled and troubled with thoughts of the ways I would make a significant Impact at the congress. I was caught almost off guard when I was called to give my motivation as to why I think myself the best candidate to be lead presenter. One part I missed to mention was that while we were having our group work presentations, I had been noted down by the chief coordinator of the event as a potential presenter( Wondering what he saw or what i did differently as to myself I felt I had not let out my best yet).

Well, to cut the long story short, I was picked alongside with a cute young lady as the presenters alongside another gentleman who stood in as a panellist. Then we had a surprise as the president of the International Union of Forest Research Organization had sent an invitation to just a youth to be part of the high level business dinner with top shots leaders in the world of forest. We had no extra crowd to vote, so we had to roll papers and as it happened again, I picked number 1 and it happened that I had to be the one to represent the youths at the business dinner. This was way beyond my imagination and it was like the path to making an Impact at the congress was eventually opening up. 

The dinner was fixed for 9pm and I had dusted my only jacket and polished up the only pair of shoes I brought from home. I arrived just in time for the gathering and we proceeded to the dinner room. I however had another youth join me who was lately handed an invitation and we were the only young faces among the crème de la crème in the world of forestry. The moment was really an intimidating one but then, we had to help ourselves to be in tune with all around. However the leaders were liberal enough and they made us feel comfortable being among them. Mike wingfield, the host of the dinner came along and introduced everybody and we proceeded to start the dinner.

It was quite a rare opportunity to engage in deliberation with great personalities that you do not  come across every day and towards the middle of the dinner, Mike said he would love to do something unusual as he would want the voice of the youths to be part of the deliberations and suddenly he looked at me and asked in the most graceful manner if I wouldn't mind speaking to the gathering. On my seat I felt like I was going to disappear into the thin air, but then I found myself take the centre stage and gave a speech. I stopped when I thought I had said enough only for me to hear some sounding applause from the table and Mike had to stand and this was what he said “Bamidele, some 30 years ago, I had a rare opportunity like this but I didn't perform as exceptional as you just did tonight. You stood and spoke like you have been with us all along and like a professional". I took this in and felt so light headed and with my thoughts all saying “Thank you lord for the opportunity". 

Then just about the next day, I got another invitation to take part in a tree planting reach out at some schools in Durban, this was really a fulfilling one for me and I could say the best of events I attended during the congress. Like I had always done back at home, I was able to plant trees in faraway South Africa and it talks a great deal of my dream and mission to lay a green landmark wherever I find myself in the world. Thanks to Victoria Soutar for extending the invite and I can say the view is getting clearer and the dream is getting more vivid.

I made quite a number of contacts and some good friends especially Jimmy Pavon, who was my roomie, he

Jimmy Pavon

took me on the scariest ride I had ever gone on in my life and still in my head I can still hear his heavy Spanish accent and I won’t forget the lesson he taught me (when you are in a new place with a lot of people all around, never talk to strangers, wear a straight face and open your eyes) 

And finally I met Charles batte, one of the winners of the youth speaker entry; surprisingly he told me he had been following my works all along, wow! I would say nothing missing, nothing lacking, still my presence was felt. And it was also great meeting with Miss Earth South Africa; unfortunately we couldn’t meet up for subsequent talks.

At the closing of the congress, I left for Johannesburg to visit an friend who I had not seen in a long time and I stayed on for a week before I departed for home.

Although I still took part in quite a number of other events at the congress but I felt more fulfilled with the ones I had taken my time to give the details here. I never made the list for the youth speaker corner but in every way I made the listing of exemplary youths that laid an impact of motivation while learning even more about myself.

Indeed aiming for the moon is worth the try!

"I have a secret....I danced all night! "

Down in the groove of many palms

 There I awoke in a total perplex state 

The night was so cold and the roaring sea I could hear 

Splashing its mighty wings of waves against the surrounding shields of cliffs

Though the ambiance was all frightening but I felt unusually calm

I starred vaguely into the starlit sky 

With my thoughts wandering into the deeps of the heavens

Although the night as cold but I felt warm

Quiet unusual but I felt at peace.

2

The palms were swaying gently in the breeze 

And dancing gracefully to the whispers of the sea and the rhythm of the night

Enchanted by the beautiful face of the moon and casting their royal reflections into the ever smiling silver toned waters

I drank the vision into my soul and felt lightheaded

I rejoiced and laughed heartily like no one in trouble

But indistinctly underneath the whispers of the night

A sound reached into my hearing 

A sound so full of life and merry

And it sounded like it was coming from deep down in the sea

I sprang up on my feet and raced towards the merry sound

I ran unwittingly and joyful for a reason I knew not

Then I ran into the midst of beauties that looked like none I’d seen before

Flawless skins, so fair they looked that I almost saw through them

So graceful was their dance that I almost swooned with emotions welling up in me

There they held me up and their hypnotizing smiles brought me back to my feet

3

I immediately joined in their spirited dance ad I felt like I had never felt 

My eyes turned in my head like a long dead drunk

We danced and danced till the day broke 

And the flawless ones were ready to go away

But I was ready to go with them

I followed like a dog wagging my imaginary tail of excitement

I was walking into the sea!

Yet I felt no fear as the reassuring smiles never left the faces of the flawless ones

One after the other they disappeared into the deep blue sea and then it was my turn 

When I suddenly I felt a pull on my shoulder 

I jerked and tried to let go of myself

Then I turned to look back and only to wake up at the edge of my bed with my lover trying to shake me out my sleep 

My mouth tasted sour of the old wine I had the previous night 

And my whole body ached like I truly danced 

I looked up and smiled at my lover, I knew I had a secret

For I danced all night with sea beauties!

Through the storms

The absolute weariness I see on their faces

Tired and worn of waiting and longing to reach the coast of liberation

Their silence speaks of nothing but of fading hope

Each with the oar of desperation, rowing through the sea of despair and fear

And each with the fear that only the strong would reach the lands.

2

Sailing through the rough sea of life

Braving the never calm, unruly sea which has swallowed many

Bragging with a gut made mighty with the strength of the bold and the weakness of the feeble that found abode down in its deeps.

And ever ready to wrap its hands of many waves around those that loses their grip on perseverance.

3

The journey we started in high spirit 

And through the many nights we rowed and toiled

Through the blazing heat of the day and the chilling fangs of the night

Each day passed with our strength slipping out of the reach of our use

Each day we await the shout for land ahead

But too many times, mirage became the usual and our imaginations became like reality

Water to the left and water to the right.

4

But a morning came, after so many nights of turmoil and pains

The daybreak of liberation broke its way to our rescue 

Land we sighted far ahead 

And with the last of our strength we rowed and rowed 

And at last we reached the shore and rested our dying feet

We have arrived the land of our destiny, where our ordeals shall be forgotten  

And our pains shall be told in stories for all to learn and to give hope for the yet to arrive.

Under the shadows of fear!

.....My heart was beating so fast as though it would tear away from my chest

Where am I?

The question kept turning up in my head 

Everywhere was dark and all felt creepy

But I could still pick the advancing footsteps…

I stood to feel about for a support, only to hold the thin air.

Oh my! What place is this?

I tried to adjust my visions to the thick darkness

And that was when I saw a pool of water right ahead

Then I realized I was thirsty

I almost immediately forgot about the mysterious footsteps

I raced to the supposed pool to have a drink

But to my surprise, the pool had vanished into the night and the darkness grew thicker

And my ordeal graver 

2

……Oh God where am I?

I tried to shout but nothing came out of my mouth 

I became terrified and scared

Now I could the hear footsteps louder and closer

My thirst disappeared almost like it came

Perharps my fears helped quench the desire?

I turned to take a look towards the advancing footsteps

Perhaps I would catch a glimpse, alas, nothing but the vague darkness

I called to my courage and my spirit

But it seemed they had fled

I felt lonely and alone like a scarecrow in the field

I tried to reason, but nothing seemed reasonable 

Then I closed my eyes, clasped my hands in prayer

Tried with the last of my strength to fight back my fears

I held to the thoughts of my happy moments

Suddenly I felt a bit stronger

And in bits my strength returned.

3

I took my stand and dared the mysterious footsteps

Oblivious of the threats of the thick darkness which had suddenly grown into daylight in my new found vision

I waited but the footsteps seemed not to advance any further

I stood with my shoulder raised and chest outward, like a solder awaiting commands

But nothing came out of the darkness

Suddenly I felt a tap on my shoulder and I looked up and beheld the day dawning

I looked ahead and found the road I had missed

Then I reasoned, it was time to resume my journey

I shook myself and became reunited with  my spirit and being

And I retraced my steps back to the road

I looked back again, thinking of the dark ordeal

But it felt better looking ahead at the sun breaking forth in the sky.

The story of Mojisola alaso Ofi continues...

Photo credit: Flames

The story of Mojisola alaso Ofi continues...

The days have indeed counted in trickles in the land of a thousand people

Many have counted the number of times the moon wore a new face...it’s been 3 moons altogether

Yet they wait.....they await the day their princess would ride on her royal horse through the market again on her way to pay homage to the king, her father

  [1]Mojisola alaso ofi...Omoba

Afinju arewa lawujo arewa

Oto jo meta ooooo

         Aaro re so wa         

Yara giri,a tun reti re o

In her palace up in the hills that shadows the land

Mojisola alaso ofi sits on her throne of a thousand peacock's feather Surrounded by her maids

Still, her beauty stuns and dazzles like the rising sun and her smile like the clouds parting open the blue sky

The palace rings still of feasts and merry, but in the midst of all, one can’t but notice an emptiness

The princess still sits alone on her throne and all day she waits for the call at the gate announcing the arrival of the bold and smiling young man she sees in her dreams of many nights

Mojisola alaso ofi, the intoxicating wine that makes even the old ones long to be young once again

Is yet to rest her eyes on the one she could call her own

---

[1] Mojisola alaso , the princess... The most beautiful among the beauties in the land... It has been a while, make haste as we are expecting you again

2

Often in the twilight, you could catch a glimpse of her majesty up on the roof of her palace

There she would stand looking into the distance and atimes you could hear her voice as she sang to the fading day

Her song had remained the same and the tune aged with time…

Still, mojisola alaso ofi would not cease been the loving princess of the land of a thousand people

Though her wait mounted on her pains she would want to share but, she chose to carve happiness out of her misery

But the people of the land knew more and for all days, they pray for her dreams to come true.

The great market day has not been the same without the princess making her usual graceful entry

The land seem to have aged in the obvious apparel of many days of anxiousness

Their eyes have well sunken as they have become strained of endless days of watching and waiting

3

The elders of the land sat to reason and to the king they opened a thousand jars of thoughts

The ones to the left spoke wisely, the ones to the right picked from the old wise words

None minced words yet none could come up with what to do

[2]   Oro pesi je laafin oba

Otun so, Osi so

A o roju oro

Oro wa di hun

But for a wise man, they would have sat all day and night

These were his words:

“Patience is the antidote of time and time is one piece that tells it all.The great one that molded us knows all and he that has created them man and woman knows the time for them to be one.In time the land shall smile again and the birds will sing again for the fair-faced one mojisola seeks shall soon make his entry into the land of a thousand people"

[3]  “Oro agaba bi ose lowuro ase lojo ale”

  

4

The sun rose as usual and the sky gave no reason to the opening of its many windows

But suddenly it rained like it had never rained and it blew like the wind had found a home in the land of a thousand people

It rained into the night and no one could go out

It was all quiet but for the dripping sound of the rain

Out in the darkness, a stranger walked into the land of a thousand people

He groped around in the darkness, feeling around for his way

But no one knew a Stanger was in town

Not an opened door at sight

But a speck of light he could see high up the hills

So he walked along, and all that could be his guide was the tiny speck of light up the hill

…………………………………………………………………………………………………..

In her palace, mojisola alaso ofi, sat up at her window looking out into the distance as usual

With a lamp burning away at her side

Even though it rained but she chose to wait by her window that night

Suddenly she noticed a figure making for the path that leads to her hill palace

Mojisola at first thought it was the usual tricks of the night

Alas, it was no trick as the figure kept drawing closer

She made for her maids' quarters and woke them out of sleep

They all rushed to the window to catch a glimpse of the approaching stranger

Not long, a rather soft knock was heard from the outside and a voice that rang a note in the ears of mojisola called out…

She refused to go along with her maids

She kept still in her chamber and awaits the entry of the stranger into her palace

The stranger was a man, a fair youth, tall and slender in build

Mojisola’s palace came alive and lighted as they made to welcome their strange guest

The stranger was led to a room prepared for him, they brought along a change of clothing and a warm supper was made for him before they all retired to their beds

5

Sleep seemed to have forgotten mojisola alaso ofi that night

The voice she heard reminded her of her dreams but yet she had not seen the face

When the morrow arrived, she awoke even before the first cockcrow

She washed and decked even before her maids awoke

She made her throne for the first time and sat even without her subjects

Such was the surprise when the palace awoke and they couldn’t find the princess in her chamber

They were scared and even thought their princess had been taken away by the stranger

Only for them to find mojisola already on her throne

There she beamed and bided them a graceful morning

The subjects were a little taken back, wondering what had happened to their princess

Mojisola couldn’t wait but to call out to bring the stranger to her presence.

6

The stranger was already up when they reached him and in the light of that morning

A most charming man arose and made his way behind the maids to get prepared to be received by the princess.

At last, they brought the stranger

In a while, all grew still for something strange happened

Mojisola alaso ofi seemed to have turned a statue in her seat as her eyes were fast locked on the stranger

The stranger had his eyes all fixed on the princess and it was like time had stopped just for the two

The palace was still and subjects could do nothing but to look from the princess to the stranger.

Not too long the silence was broken by mojisola’s rising from her throne towards the stranger

Not even her royalty could keep her from leaping into the hands of the stranger

“This is strange”

A subject had to run into the market and another to the king’s palace

A stranger is in the princess’s court

Everyone in the land of a thousand people raced to the palace on the hill and even the king couldn’t wait for his royal horse as he ran like a man on fire forgetting his crown and his shoes

In a short while, the princess’s palace was all filled and everyone wanted to take a look at the stranger who arrived at the land of a thousand people

7

No one could separate the embrace of the princess and the stranger

Not even the king or the wise men

At last mojisola alaso ofi looked up from the embrace and took the stranger in her hands

She made for where her father, the king stood without his shoes and his crown

There she knelt and took the hand of the stranger into the king’s hands.

“Father here is the smiling young I have always seen in my dreams”

“Father, may we have the permission to live as one and be together for he is the one for me? ”

The palace shook to the ground as the people of the land shouted in excitement at seeing the fair-faced one their princess had been waiting for all along

The king heaved heavily and all he could say was “what else can stand in the way of true love?”

“Once found, it’s found forever”

Mojisola alaso ofi broke into a smile that had never been seen after the last time she made her way through the market some moons ago

Mojisola alaso ofi has found the one she has often dreamt of for so long,

And now the land of a thousand people would spring back to life and return to being the pride of many lands

 Tell it to everyone to make and prepare as the princess would be making her entry into the market yet again in a grand style but now with her fair-faced one by her side.

……..All’s well that ends well…..

The end.

---

[2] It is a dead end at the king’s palace, the wise men on the left spoke and men to the right gave their advice, but to no avail, it’s all knotted, it was a dead end

[3] The words of the elder are ever full of wisdom and the certainty of all coming to pass is absolute  

A story for the mind that dreams of love

All I could remember of that day was the unusual story that followed…..

The dawn was near as the cocks had started crowing and the sun was already awakening from its slumber and making ready to stretch its many tentacles of light across the earth.

I really didn’t know what woke me, for it was not my favourite time of rising
But I sensed unusualness in the air……
I arose from my bed and made for the outside 
It was really cold for it rained over the night and the freshness of dawn I drew into my lungs
Still a strange heaviness shadowed my mind
I tried making up the reasons for my waking, but I ended up in so many thoughts that led no where
Perhaps I slept on the wrong side or maybe I should go back to sleep
Confusing thoughts abounded and all made no sense for the moment
And I remained as clueless as I was when I awoke.

2

Finally I arose and called on my ever faithful flute
I felt about for the door and I left with my thoughts still at large
I started playing on my flute and took my steps as a tune flowed from the flute
I felt like a leaf blown and dancing in the summer wind which does not know where it shall land
The flute felt like it was playing itself all the way for my fingers were just moving as if the flute directed them.
So strange, but my flute played itself, it sang a song that I once heard so long ago...
Charming melodies that would leave the hear quivering…

Where are you?” 
My soul searches for you
My soul calls to your soul
Come home and cease being alone"

3
It sang of my pains, and my mind became bare as of a baby
I walked the length of the town and I never knew when I left it behind
I made for the forest, the dreaded groove of the unknowns.
I walked through and felt no fear
Though a man like a lion I saw; two heads on a neck I sighted, but none shot the arrows of fear at me
Instead they all danced and lighted the way out of the forest.
My story is just beginning for I made the strange beings in the forest forget the evil they were at the sound of my flute 

4

Then at distance not too far off, I heard a sound like that which flowed from my flute
It became like tied tunes flowing in unison for no difference could be noted and even the ever blowing wind became still in amazement.
So fascinating was the rhythm and it drew closer and closer…..
Soon a light beamed from afar, showing a face like I’d always dreamt of; in her mouth was a flute that seemed to play on its own just like mine did.
Abruptly we both stopped and I came to the realization of what woke me at the break of the dawn
Destiny had found no better time to bringing me to the gates of the one I had always dreamt of all nights and days …
There we stood and looked into each other eye…………..
…….I am he that you seek…I am she that you seek……©

Mojisola Alaso Ofi

Photo credit : Flames

Mojisola Alaso Ofi

A piece dedicated to

‘Mojisola’

Whose name inspired the story.

It's another beautiful day in the land of a thousand people where Mojisola alaso ofi resides in a palace. The talking drum beats, calling her to rise from her bed of a thousand peacock feathers.

[1]“ Mojisola alaso ofi o.. nle o…Ojire bi….omo eleni ateika… omo ajifojogbogbo dara bi egbin..gberanle odideo…. Okan to wuyi larin arewa obirin…o dara bi egbin….o sewa bi okin… dide nle o… a o rojo muso lokun o…dide.”

So Mojisola’s day begins in the land of a thousand people.

The call from the talking drum is usually the sound that breaks the silence of the approaching dawn even before the sun parts open the thick curtain of darkness that drew down on the faded beauty of the day before.

The chants of Mojisola Alaso Ofi’s praises from the talking drum would fill the air that even the cocks would often forget their duty of proclaiming the wake of the day with their usual crowing as Mojisola Alao Ofi’s praises drown all, and this would often rouse the people of the land of a thousand people out of their slumber.

Mojisola rises from her bed of a thousand peacock’s feather and steps into the courtyard of her beautiful palace where her subjects would wait on her..

[2]“Ma rora Ibadi aran…ma rora gbese ni ikookan…Omo Ajilala Osho…Omo Ajifojogbogbodara “

The praises of Mojisola Alaso Ofi rings through the palace while the land of a thousand people prepares for the big day ahead…

---

[1] Mojisola Alaso Ofi…hello…hope you woke up well… the one whose mat spreads out…the one whose beauty grows everyday like that of an antelope….arise…..a distinguished one out of so many beauties….her beauty could be compared the beautiful colours of a peacock…Arise….for the day cannot be tied down….Arise

[2]  Easy with your strides beautiful princess….the one that dreams of beauty…..the one that grows beautifully day after day

2

The day of the big market fair has arrived, where the best of which the land could yield avail in plenty for all to purchase and admire. The land of a thousand people receives many on this day as people would come from even as far as the faraway lands beyond the hills and from lands across the great river.

Often you would wonder, why so many would choose to come into the land of a thousand people on this big market fair day, perhaps to make more from their goods or perhaps to see the famous night dance at the village square? Or to be more precise, to catch a glimpse of the famous “MOJISOLA ALASO OFI” for such has become of her fame that no one would deny the fact of not having heard of the name.

The big market fair is usually a day to look forward to, a day when all beings meet at the market square that lies behind the palace of the great king of the land of a thousand people.

The market has come alive with the air filled with sounds that could only be heard from the market only and if you had visited on such a day, I am sure you would have been confused at what to buy as all on display would attract the deepest senses of appreciation.

Now let’s retrace our steps back to the palace of Mojisola Alaso Ofi, the princess of the land of a thousand people.

Mojisola now is dressed and decked as the royalty she is, magnificent and alluring in the sight of those that could catch a glimpse of her majesty.

[1]“Mojisola Alaso Ofi, Omo Oba setan ati geshin woja”

Mojisola is set to ride her horse into the market square, and yes, the big fair day has just begun

Her subjects walk ahead leading the horse on which she rides while the talking drum trails behind rendering the most beautiful lyrics to proclaim her entry.

[2]“Mojisola Alaso ofi nbo o

Mojisola alaso ofi, omo oba nbo o

Ero ona a yago lona….Ero oja e fona le..kolona le koja

Atabga atomode ewa wo omo oba

Mojisola Alaso Ofi , Omo Oba tin geshin woja mbo o”

---

[1]“ Mojisola Alaso Ofi…the princess is ready to ride her horse into the market square”

[2]“ Mojisola Alaso Ofi is coming …Princess Mojisola Alaso Ofi is coming… give way fellow passer-by….give way to the owner of the road…Both the old and the young, come and see the princess as she makes her entry…..Mojisola Alaso Ofi, the princess that rides into the market is coming.

3

Mojisola’s entry into the market square is being proclaimed loudly, those who have heard had to call on those who might not have heard for no one would miss catching a glimpse of the passing princess, as such was the magnificence of Mojsola Alaso Ofi.

There she comes, on her decked horse, trotting gracefully into the market, beaming with smiles so full like the full moon and her eyes so hypnotizing such that an innocent bystander wouldn't know when he would follow the procession and become like her subjects only to come back to his senses when he reaches mojisola’s palace. Mojisola Alaso Ofi’s entry transfixed all in the market square, once, a woman gave all she had on her stock to a stranger while mojisola passed by, only for her to realize she had lost all when mojisola left. One could say mojisola Alaso Ofi is the reason for the big market fair.

Mojisola Alaso Ofi leaves the market as gracefully as she‘d made her entry. Retiring for the day as she awaits her many suitors who would usually bring gifts to her at the end of the market day.

While so many seek her hand in marriage Mojisola Alaso Ofi only awaits the bold smiling young man she sees often in her dreams. Often the young man would call to her like he was so far away and too many times she had reached out to touch him but often she usually awoke from such dreams.

The dreams, so real that she knew the smiling young man would come someday

While so many may come bearing gifts of extraordinary values , mojisola would never give her heart out as she awaits till she sets her eyes on the smiling young man whom she alone knows

The strong, the mighty, the bravest and even the fairest had come and yet many would still come, mojisola Alaso ofi would rather choose to wait until the day her prince would arrive.

Mojisola Alaso Ofi is humble and her kindness surpasses even her famed beauty.

 Mojisola Alaso Ofi, the glowing flame of the land of a thousand people. She loves her people and you could see how much they have come to love their princess and would only wish the smiling hero of her dreams comes in earnest.

Mojisola Alaso Ofi retires to her bed of a thousand peacocks feathers even as she goes into the land where all is made real and in time to behold yet the face of the fair one she awaits.

The talking drum chants her praises till it all grew still in the land of a thousand people.

[1]“Mojisola Alaso Ofi, orekelewa….afinju omo oba tin fi jo gbogbgo dara…Asunji o

To be continued …..

---

[1]  Mojisola Alaso Ofi, the beauty….the delicate princess that grows beautifully daily

By

Bamidele F.Oni