One day Alhaji Ogunshakin told me a story in Ado-Ekiti. He related how in 1973 he had saved money to buy a Suzuki motorcycle.

He learnt the cost was #110. (You must be laughing). Yes #110 no more. Leventis stores in Ibadan marketed it  and Prince Okunade Sijuade who later became the Ooni of Ife was the general manager.

Armed with the hard earned #110 he headed for Leventis Ibadan. On arrival he met the sales manager who took him to the show room. But a week earlier, the price was raised to #120. Alhaji Ogunshakin was sad and told the man ” I have only #110 but I must take this motorcycle home. Please can you trust me that in two weeks time I shall bring back the balance?”

The sales man was not impressed. All the same he went to table the request before Prince Okunade. “Let the man come in,” he said. “Where are you from, gentleman? Ogunshakin answered “From Ekiti sir”. “Ekiti” repeated Prince Okunade. He then turned to the sales manager, “Give it to him” ” But sir what about….” The Prince cut him short and retorted ” He is from Ekiti. Go and give it to him. Gentleman, In two weeks bring back the balance of #10.” The sales manager was mumbling something inaudibly.  “I say he is from Ekiti”

Alhaji Ogunshakin rode his new motorcycle from Ibadan to Ado Ekiti that day.Within a week he gathered the money together and the following Monday returned to Ibadan to pay the balance. The sales manager ran into Prince Okunade with exhilaration to announce that the man had come back. Without showing any emotions Prince Okunade simply said “I told you the gentleman is from Ekiti.”

That was Ekiti fifty years ago. I am proud of that man today.

I am sorry for a nation whose conscience has been thrown to the dogs.

Copied from my friend of 53 years, Dr Bodunde Owolabi, a typical Ekiti man.

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