10/11/2020
Ebo2Oloko: The Story Of My People.
Yala@present5
(We Are In Woleche-Ebo).
By: Oga Brown
(C) 2017.
Chapter Five
YALA NATION TOURNAMENT
Ipuole Ebo for more than 30 days of our sojourn in this land of my people have less than 13% light even though it is connected to the Power Holding Company of Nigeria - PHCN, formerly National Electric Power Authority alias NEPA. However epileptic the power supply is in Ipuole-Ebo, the total darkness in Woleche-Ebo is unthinkable... Not at this point...not in my generation. For now, the satellite town of Woleche-Ebo is without light. The electricity poles is yet to arrive Woleche.
The only surprise here is the MTN mast located in Otuche Village Square. I am told its my compound. That's ok. It is the only charging point for phones in this village of more than 24,000 residents. Such a critical human mass, yet so individualistic to a point where "every one carry your load", its so deep in the culture that its usually told in parables..."onyoye ge tiho inu-che". Their farmlands are extensive. It is therefore not a surprise when I met young Ikor, 24, married to two young girls living in his grandfather's compound! He need more hands in the farm. The children here seems to outweigh the aged population. The youth are scarce here. The reason I have discussed in an earlier work, "Yala Entertainment Conundrums". Back to now. Generators here in this village are few, the major source of lights are phone, torchlight, battery lamps, hardly did I see one candle. Solar water pump, still in good condition here, unlike Ipuole-Ebo where we have many boreholes, this four communities have only one! Woleche is stony. Difficult to sink a borehole. My mother tried one in the backyard and hit the rock, am sure others may have met similar fate. This community is serviced by the small river and there are rivulet here and there as clean as spring! Woleche don't lack water. The flood caught them too unaware!
As I sit here, i yesterday make this sitting spot..."Utu-Ejuu" alongside my brother and companion Bright. A bamboo sit under the pear tree and today I also commissioned the YEC Garden & Park (Utu-Olopa), in Idumegbor community of Woleche-Ebo with James Ikor -Anointed as the manager.
Now I am in the football field. I trek as a kid with my seniors to this school. I trekked there now, walking along old familiar roads to the primary school. saint Mels have graduated several sons and daughters. i was too small to go to farm and too small to stay at home. Once in a while my grandpa decides which is suitable for his beloved grandson. Let me confess, he spoilt me good as a child. I was after all his namesake, he called me "Awo-Door", the meaning will shock you! God! I was born dead on delivery! In Ebo I met my mother's friend who openly told us his audience that several time he tried to convince my mother that killing me will be the best option, and many times I was told she refused. My grandfather in his wisdom and herbal know-how kept me alive by just calling me "Awo-Door". Chief Ariku was the first to use that appellation even though he has not seen me for almost 30 years!
I grew up playing football. I became Tactical Air Command goal keeper and subsequently was in the Nigerian Air Force Football/Handball team that won Silver in the Nigerian Armed Forces and Police Games, Abeokuta '98. This background is necessary in view of my assignment in Ebo. I am directed to raise a team to represent Wogada in a yet to be determined tournament taking place in Yala. I have secured the services of coaches, physiotherapist and scouts and I have to practically be on ground to access the preparedness or willingness of the youth to get positively busy! The idea is to create room for players of Yala origin to play top football in their country and as professionals in other lands. To this end, there must be a deliberate concoction of activities leading to the actualisation of our goal.
This Thursday, according to Simon Ogar the young coach I met in the field and a handful of players is dry! By tomorrow Friday upto Sunday the students who have left to Ipuole-Ebo. Yahe, Okpoma, Okuku and Ogboja to school, (there is no college yet in Woleche) will all be back! I won't be here then. It all adds up that Wogada is ready!
Lets play for pride...
Why not, in faraway Europe, an Ebo daughter is representing! She was at the last Olympic and preparing for the next...
Ebimugu; I salute your courage, I doff my hat for your confidence in me...
I appreciate you every moment because of your heart of forgiveness, your magnanimity, most importantly your Stand on Truth and Justice weakens my knees! I love you cos you make me do what I can!
That's the crux of friendship!
PS:
Ebo2Oloko: The Story Of My People.
Yala@present
By: Oga Brown
(C) 2017.
This project is initiated and sponsored by:
OKACHE GLORIA
(Great Grand Daughter of Ogar Adoga Otulaga of Ebo (Wogada).
