This is intended not to be an eulogy or appraisal. I merely aim to hold up a mirror to his life, to reveal the contours of this character, the depth of this conviction, and the breadth of this impact. If, in the process, admiration and awe arise, I disclaim all responsibility – it is the subject himself who has authored this narrative of distinction and leaves us mere observers to marvel at the masterwork. But again, I might be guilty as charged.
The uncertainty of tomorrow is a notion that almost everyone agrees with. We are often told that the future is unpredictable and that it is a mysterious realm that only astrologers and fortune tellers can decipher. Or that only God knows. However, may I propose a contrarian view? That our tomorrows can indeed be predicted, and not by gazing into crystal balls, but by the intentional actions we take today.
Can we consider the contractor who pours their heart and soul into a proposal and showcases exceptional skill and mastery? Can they not predict with conviction that they will secure the contract? Or the student who diligently prepares for exams, can they not foresee an excellent grade? In both cases and many other similar instances, the outcome is not left to chance but is instead shaped by the efforts and dedication invested. This is ‘not’ to dismiss the role of luck or grace but to emphasise the agency we possess in shaping our futures.
Historically, we see examples of individuals who have defied uncertainty by sheer force of will and determination. From the ancient Greeks to modern-day achievers, those who have pushed boundaries and achieved greatness have done so by harnessing their inner power and strength and directing it towards a clear vision. This is not to say that external factors do not influence our lives, but rather that our responses to those factors can truly be intentional.
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I sat before a human in the class of the aforementioned, whose life trajectory I believe is truly of his own making and choice. An emerging greatness, – loaded in intellect, rich and with reach, exactly like a canvas stretched to its limits that awaited the brushstrokes of destiny. His eyes seemed to hold the depth of a thousand midnights of his lived few decades, and his smile told the stories of his triumph over the vicissitudes of existence.
Ọmọ Ọlájíire; birthed by a soul that almost didn’t survive – himself, one of eight, a whole eight in those years? Ipapo wasn’t a place some people expected much from, stereotyped as a village or what have you. But, he rose from this overlooked corner of the world, and although he tasted several other soils and waters, he shattered expectations and rewrote the narrative of his origin. His root is deeply laced in the trials and triumphs of his forebears; he is nourished in resilience and brilliance that is uniquely his. A lawyer, an accountant and many other things.
Beneath the surface of his unassuming start, where the heftiness of history and the scarcity of opportunities could have easily stifled lesser spirits, he thrived. His intelligence speaks to his destiny for greatness. The lineage of Ọlájíire, defined by survival against the odds, finds its most luminous expression in him. Through sheer determination and an unyielding quest for knowledge, he has elevated himself beyond the confines of his immediate neighbourhood, being sought after at home and abroad, to be greater and make others great.
I felt the weight of existential inquiry, the whispered secrets of a life lived with intentionality, a story of choices and consequences. And yet, I sensed that he knew the truth – that true greatness lies not in the destination, but in the deliberate steps taken to arrive there.
I couldn’t help but feel a sense of respect for the sheer magnitude of his accomplishments. For in him, I saw the embodiment of a profound principle – that our lives are not mere narratives but dynamic, ever-unfolding creations shaped by the choices we make and the depths we dare to plumb.
Had he not walked the razor’s edge of uncertainty, would he have discovered the steel within? One may want to question the very fabric of fate and free will. This is self-authorship. This is greatness, Ọmọ Ọlájíire is greatness. Amofin Beulah Adeoye is greatness.
