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| Childeren's Day Display In Osun |
THE day was bright and cloudless. it was quite weather-friendly. It was a Monday in the end of May, the fifth month in the year. Characteristically on the 25th of that month every year, the whole world observe a period of remorse and brainstorming; at least; to look for ways of bettering the lots of a vital segment of the populace, without which the continuous existence of and productive exertions and wealth-creation would be threatened. It is needless to say that any society where there are no children is not only running the risk of discontinuity, but has also signed a pact with decimation of its human species. It is in obvious realization of the foregoing and in swift recognition of it that the wise decision has been embraced to celebrate the children in our societies at least once in the year and look continuously for ways of bettering their lots.
Abounding records indicate that the celebration of Children’s Day annually in human societies could be traced to as far back as 1925 or thereabouts, when a “World Conference for the Well-being of Children” was held in Geneva Switzerland. It is not unlikely that the zenith of that conference coincided with the date, May 25, hence the adoption of that date for the observance and recognition of children globally.
Apart from the broad observance and commemoration, at least with sober reflection, of children annually in nations of the world since the time quoted above, other efforts have been made till date to accord increased recognition and resolute action to the ever-increasing needs of children. These extra efforts, which lasted through the remaining decades of the Twentieth Century, subsist till the present Century, that is, the Twentieth Century. For instance, the year 1979 was set aside by the United Nations (UN) to be observed as the
International Year of Child (IYC). All through that year, all nations of the world accorded priority attention to programmes, projects and all forms of intervention efforts aimed at bettering the lots of all classes of children, not minding their socio-economic backgrounds, religions, races, circumstances at birth and state in life and other components of life and living; which may wield the threat of imposing limitations to their cope of life cum scope and extent of achievement. During that year, nations gave support to the cause of the needs of children when all segments of the economies and institutions were explored and exploited to raise funds and materials for the support of indigent and needy children worldwide.
It is also placed in record in our checkered history that 1985 was another year set aside by the global Breton
Wood institution to be observed as the International Youth Year. This more recent intervention came when the need was felt to cater adequately for the needs of the growing person beyond just the ages covered by stages of Infancy or those of Childhood but also to the teenage years, encapsulating both the Early and Late Adolescence, through Puberty to Early Adulthood. OSUN DEFENDER Magazine finds it convenient at this point in time to lump these mentioned stages together and classify them as Formative Years or Youthful Years during when all patterns of acceptable behavior for acceptable living as responsible member of the society; and skills for productive contribution into the pool of economic wealth of the society are acquired.
Who then is a child? Or better put, what does the concept of childhood entail? The Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English defines a child in broad terms as young person; a young person from the time they are born until they are aged 14 or 15. Defining the usage of the word “child”; the same dictionary gives the range of word choices as including child, baby, infant, toddler teenager, adolescent, youth, young people and kid. That dictionary however defines childhood simply as the period of time when you are a child.
In its own vein, the British Broadcasting Corporation English Dictionary defines a child as a human being who is not yet an adult. It also defines childhood as a time when a person is a child.
If the dictionary meanings quoted above for a child and childhood are compared with those meanings we gave above; we find out that our definition of childhood to include developmental stages from infancy through childhood, teenage years, adolescence, puberty and young adulthood.
The yearly celebration of Children’s Day as a global phenomenon has never for once eluded our nation, Nigeria. In the olden times, yearly children day were celebrated with much fanfare, merriments, pomp and pageantry. With constant military intervention however, the revelry and merry-making with which the days were celebrated faded away; thus Children Day anniversaries began to be celebrated solemnly with sober reflections. As a matter of fact, the fading away of elaborate ceremonies from our public life, especially in the celebration of yearly Children’s Day and other similar festivities like the nation’s Independence Day is reflective of the realities of the indices of adverse economic situations and circumstances plaguing the nation.
In effect, the senses of acceptance, recognition and involvement the average Nigerian child in matters concerning then and those of the nation in general have been eroded. The child has been relegated to the background, even in matters bordering on his own welfare, growth, development, and academic cum situational challenges. The dictatorial tendencies and inclination of the military orientation which dominated our scenes of life for a longer time in our post-independence history is largely responsible for this.
Gladly, democratic governance came back to our public life in 1999. Exactly fourteen years on, running with the vision and ideals entrenched in the ethos of democracy have not bend deeply institutionalized in the strata of our life; especially regarding children and young persons; their life and living conditions; growth and development, training and nurturing as well as their involvement in decision making, especially in matters touching on them directly.
The trend of emergence of Children’s Parliament at all tiers of government in our nation is coming as a soothing relief. In the State of Osun in particular, the Children’s Parliament has been accorded deserved priority in all matters of governance and government decisions. At the beginning of the current year, 2013, Governor Aregbesola created a separate ministry devoted primarily to children and women. This as could be reasoned, is for the purpose of according full and adequate priority attention to matter affecting women and children in our midst. We have noted earlier in this edition that a society in which women and children segments of population suffer persistent threat of deprivation, humiliation and decimation cannot resist outright extinction.
In the State of Osun, under the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN)-led leadership of Ogbeni Aregbesola, the children and young people are accorded prominent places in governance and decision making. So far, we can boldly assert that the Aregbesola administration is not only people-friendly; it is particularly children-friendly. In our earlier definitions of the child and related concepts, we have seen that in one sense or the other, a wide range of persons in the state; with the inclusion of those in government (this does not spare the governor himself) comprises children!
No wonder in the recent events of the last May 25 held at the expansive Osogbo Township Stadium still under construction, all classes of people, all displaying the attributes of ; and representing the interests of youths in one sense or the other, were present. As the almost 50-seater capacity main bowl of the sporting complex filled to full capacity, the spaces were adorned by eminent personalities from all over the place. The audience of the day ranged from school children through students of institutions of higher learning, working class, artisans traders, professionals of sorts, traders, market men and women, legal luminaries, law enforcement agencies and paramilitary /voluntary organizations. Others were traditional rulers and royal fathers, top government officials, political office holders and functionaries, judges, politicians and the rest. Drummers, traditional religionists and various indigenous cultural groups were also there present. This was not to mention huge attendance at the occasion by adherents and clerics of both Christian and Islamic faiths.
One very peculiar feature of the epoch-making crowd of the day was that apart from the fact that the audience comprised lovers of the State and its well-wishers from across the federation and yonder; the mammoth gathering was indeed designed for them, especially all those who are of Oodua ascendancy. The event of the day was the much-clamoured Oodua World Children’s Day Celebration 2013, hosted by the State of Osun in display of its most unique attribute of being the ancestral origin and source to the Yoruba nation worldwide. The convener of the gathering was no one else than the No. 1 Omoluabi of the State of the Virtuous, i.e. the State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Adesoji Aregbesola.
AS the event of the day was about to gather momentum, all early arrival at the events were well-seated; while others who could not find seats or spaces at the pavilion and other places stood by at available spaces in utmost display of the attribute of Omoluabi, the State of Osun’s new totem. At the end of all arrivals at the event, the toll filled the stadium beyond its capacity; such that there was overflow of audience at the roadsides along the Omo West and the West Bye Pass (Ring Road0ends of the capital city.
Even in the most interior part of Osogbo, the capital city of the state, there were all indications to it, from as early as half past five in the morning that n significant epoch in history was being made on that particular day.
This same hustle-bustle was reportedly recorded in all other parts of the state; as all roads led to the venue of the grand occasion. At the venue of the occasion however, a most unprecedented volume of crowd had started drifting in from as early as eight o’clock in the morning.
The event proper kicked off upon the arrival of the chief convener, Governor of the State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola at exactly 11:15 a.m. At the Calisthenics Stand, which stood located directly opposite the main pavilion of the main bowl of the stadium, the students that comprised the inscription display team were already on with various displays. Their displays include the following: The National Flag, the State Flag and colours, E Kaabo, State of Osun, the State of Osun Welcomes You, The State of Osun Welcomes Oodua’s Children, Ipinle Omoluabi and We Are the World. Other displayed writings and inscriptions include We Are Marching On, Rauf: A New Era, We: Pride of Osun, Eko Dara Pupo, Omo L’aso L’aye and Osun: Going Places. These beautiful writings and inscriptions, boldly presented in the form of calisthenics display were enough attractions which held the audience spell-bound and perpetually glued to their seats pending the commencement of the programme of events of the d-day.
Upon the arrival of Mr. Governor at the venue of the events, he took a parade ride round the stadium, waving greetings to his admirers and supporters and acknowledging cheers from the waiting crowd. Having done this the Governor came to the Main Pavilion to acknowledge greetings from important personalities present and guests before retiring to his seat.
Right from the commencement of the events of the day at exactly 11:15 a.m. till its very end; the ranconteur of the occasion kept us abreast of events, arrivals and developments that were remarkable and impressive.
From the beginning, it was placed on record that the following nine Yoruba-speaking states had already been in attendance at the programme, each with respective specified number of delegates: Oyo State (100); Ondo State (63); Ogun State (100); Lagos State (100); Ekiti State (100); Kogi State (50); State of Osun (100);
Edo State (25); and Kwara State (50). It was much later into the events that Delta State began to be visible, with almost 100 contingents to the bargain. In all, the programme featured ten (10) Yoruba-speaking states within the federation of Nigeria alone.
In addition to the foregoing, it also featured representatives from the neighbouring Republic of Benin.
Formerly Dahomey, the areas under the present-day Republic of Benin were predominantly territories under the Old Oyo Kingdom; with their forebears enlisted as part and parcel of the direct offspring of Okanbi, son and heir of Oduduwa. Some of these eminent royal figures who are so involved and who gracefully presented themselves at the occasion were the Olupopo of Popo, Onisabe of Sabe and Alaketu of Ketu – the territories of all of whom are located in today’s Republic of Benin; and all of who still maintain unbroken direct link with incumbent (reigning) Alaafin of Oyo as brother, joint-heir, co-descendant and paramount ruler.
Promptly following the arrival of the convener of the event; who doubles as the Governor of the State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Adesoji Aregbesola, the breaking of the National Flag, Singing of National and State of Osun Anthems took place consecutively in that order.
Immediately after, the opening prayers were said after three patterns of religious leanings Thr.ee prominent traditional rulers in the State of Osun were assigned to say the three prayers. Prayers according to the Islamic doctrines were assigned to Aragbiji of Iragbiji, who doubles as the Secretary of the State of Osun Islamic Council, His Royal Majesty, Oba Abdul-Rasheed Ayotunde Olabomi, Odundun IV. Prayers in the Christian way were said by the Olufi of Gbongan, His Royal Majesty, Oba (Dr.) Adetoyese Oyeniyi. The prayers in the traditional sense were taken by the Onirun of Oke Irun.
Following the observance of prayers of invocation in the manner of the said three doctrines, the ranconteur went ahead to give a comprehensive introduction of eminent personalities and guests at the occasion. During the duration of this item of the programme, the arrival was recorded of the Alaafin of Oyo, His Royal Majesty, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi III.
At that crucial point of the occasion, the most significant feat of the event was attained; obviously, one of the most important aims of the programme was realized. For a very long time, most especially, since the creation of the State of Osun from the old Oyo State in 1991; it had been a matter of rarity to find the two paramount and seniormost monarchs in the land, the Alaafin of Oyo and the Ooni of Ife attending one single programme, talk less sitting together. This teat showed the intervention of God Almighty in the affair at hand and the unbiased mind with which Ogbeni pursues the unification task.
Next on the programme was the welcome address by the Honourable Commissioner for Women and Children Affairs, Mrs. Mofolake Adetoun Adegboyega. In her speech, she welcomed the guests and noted that the events that we had in place on the day was one of the biggest events ever in the history of
Yorubaland. She availed the opportunity of the occasion to renew the commitment of her ministry and that of the Aregbesola administration to prioritizing women development and that of children to aid improvement in their generation. She was also full of words of encouragement and prayers for the children who shall take over the reins of power and leadership of our society in the future. She finally admonished parents to give priority attention not only to the academic aspect; but also the moral upbringing of their children in order to complement the efforts of the incumbent administration in producing the total, wholesome child – well-rounded, well-adjusted and well-balanced.
Several rounds of prayers were held for the success of the programme and that of the administration before the March Past/parade started. During the parade, the convener of the event, who doubled as the Chief Host and Governor of the State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola took salute. Schools, trade associations, voluntary/paramilitary organizations political groups and delegates from states were all involved in the March Past.
Primary and secondary schools in the state, both private and public took part in the parade, Some of the primary schools that participated in the parade were the Police Children School, Ring Road, Osogbo; St. Stephen’s Primary School, Itasin, Modakeke; ViceRoys Model School and College, Jaleyemi, Osogbo, Way to Success Nursery and Primary School, Osogbo; and Local Authority Primary School, Gbonmi, Osogbo. Others were St. Peter’s Anglican School. Ibokun; and N.U.D. School A, Gbonmi, Osogbo.
Among the secondary schools that participated in the parade were Ministry of Education Secondary School, Osogbo;; School for Special Needs, Osogbo; A.U.D. School, Ikoyi, Kuta; Popson Tip Top, Osogbo; Baptist Grammar School, Ara; and Adventist Grammar School, Ede. Others were Ife Oluwa Grammar School, Osogbo; Atakunmosa High School, Osu; Fatima College, Ikire; Holy Michael Secondary School, Ikirun; Ataoja School of Science, Osogbo; Osogbo Grammar School, Osogbo; Unity School, Osogbo; and GOF International School, Osogbo.
The voluntary organizations that took part in the March Past were the Boys’ Brigade; the Man O’ War; the Boys’ Scout; and the Islamic Sherriff Guard.
Other participants included National Council for Women Societies (NCWS); Aregbesola Victory Group (AVG); Rauf Aregbesola Action Forum; Owuro L’awa Group; Oranmiyan Youth Wing; De Young Group; the Joint Campus Committee Wing of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS); and the Market Women Association.
HIGH points of the occasion were reached as the Calisthenics Display took the central stage. OSUN
DEFENDER Magazine shall now devote quality time and space to dissecting some facts about Calisthenics and its adoption for the State of Osun. One best way which now comes to mind in the process of finding an accurate definition for Calisthenics or Calisthenics Display is to quote the Government of the State’s exposition in a paid advertisement on page 15 of our (OSUN DEFENDER) edition of Thursday, August 30, 2012, as follows:
“In the State of Osun, we are always looking for creative and productive ways of making the lives and lots of our people better through worthwhile and enduring human and material investments. This we do in order to help the mobilization of our people to own and buy into our various development plans for today and years to come.
Today, Tuesday August 28, 2012,the State of Osun is blazing the trail yet again, by showcasing the talents, the capacity and capability of 8,000 youths who for the past 6 months have been grounded in the arts of combining the elements of beauty, motion and movement to promote the historic, heroic, cultural and collective will of our people towards the achievement of our sports and cultural diversities.
Now that the out-of-school capacity building of our youths is being realized, the vision of Ogbeni Rauf
Aregbesola towards the building of a new generation of physically robust, mentally sound and socially well-adjusted youth is surely on course… “
As to the intents and purposes of the Schools Calisthenics Programme, the same sponsors in another paid adverts shamed critics when they explained:
“Today, 28th day of August 2012, history is being made as the State of Osun Schools Calisthenics
Programme gets on course. Through this, the foundation of the future of physically robust, mentally sound and socially well-adjusted youth will have been laid for further progressive development.
“With Osun Schools Calisthenics, the health and deportment of thousands of youth will improve. Their musical knowledge will be widened; their appreciation of cultural diversity and skills will improve their sense of responsibility, self discipline, teamwork, mutual respect, competitiveness, harmony and peaceful co-existence which are hallmark of Omoluabi would be further promoted, nurtured and strengthened.
“Welcome to the world of Osun Schools Calisthenics Programme where the capacities and potentials of our youths are being explored and being prepared for greatness and usefulness to their state of birth.
OMO OODUA DIDE…”
Calisthenics, a physical gymnastic training exercise, which combines the use of signals with the parade of colours, designs and patterns with body movement, gestures music rhymes and gesticulations to create impressions and pass messages across to audience is a five-star trail-blazing performance rolled out for the very first time in August last year (2012); and recently showcased for a repeated time by the government of the day in the State of Osun, making use of 8,000 students drawn from the first two years of secondary education drawn from across all federal constituencies of the state. In other words, the body exercises that are displayed include bending, jumping, hopping, twisting, wriggling, turning, swinging and spinning. As part of the colourful display, the participants are adored, formation by formation, in beautifully-sewn apparel, with different kinds of colourful objects i.e. football, horsetail, colour placards etcetera in display. The participants observe and take signals from a trainer located somewhere far away. Their responses in unison create a magic-like impression which amazes the audience.
The long history of calisthenics, gymnastics, kinesis and acrobatics and the full importance of physical training in the development of healthy and wholesome human personality may likely not be fully appreciated, documented and understood until one turns to history, culture and traditions of Ancient Greece. With its various city states specializing in one form of gymnastics or the other, the central doctrine embraced by all was that the human body was regarded as a temple that provided a sacred abode for the human mind and soul. Among the Greeks of old, the belief was held in high esteem that gymnastics and calisthenics were necessary to keep this temple – abode healthy and functional. This tradition eventually gave birth to organized sporting activities. The Olympics competition initially sprang up as a sporting event for the Greek city-states before horizons widened to make it a celebrated international event of global participation. The speech delivered by Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, the Governor of the State of Osun at the official launch of the event the launch of the State of Osun Schools’ Calisthenics Programme; titled “For A Sound Mind In A Sound Body” gives attestation to all our claims above.
Earlier, in his speech at the anniversary dinner marking the twenty-first year anniversary of the creation of the State of Osun, which held in August 2012, Governor Rauf Aregbesola had emphasized the essence of
human development and capacity building in moving the wheel of progress of the nation and the South-
Western geopolitical zone ahead. According to Aregbesola, there is steadfast conviction that Nigeria would be better off if it could be reverted back to the regional structure, saying that the unnecessary expenses of running miniature governments at all levels would be saved.
If regional integration could be made to materialize in the South-West geopolitical, then the dreams of initiators of the State of Osun Calisthenics Programme would be realized in earnest and in wide coverage.
That means that functional and all-round quality education would regain anchorage throughout the zone; thereby reviving for it the lost old glory of being the beacon of hope and light in the region.
Aregbesola opined that rather than having between nine and fifteen regions going by ethic balancing, the country is connecting with the 36 state government structure and Federal Government, hence making the system too expensive.
Much earlier, in his state-wide anniversary broadcast at the commemoration of the occasion, the helmsman of the state identified education, job creation and food production as the critical foundation upon which other aspects of development can be built in the state. He further stated that the administration’s vision transcends now, hence the preparation of the people for a future where they would compete favourably with the best in every area of life.
In furtherance of his anniversary speech, Aregbesola stressed that if the people in the state have quality education, are gainfully employed and well led they would recreate their environment, wealth and engender development. Aregbesola noted
“Our focus is human development, because it is human that drive development, not machines and not technology. If our people have quality education, gainfully employed and well-fed, they will recreate their environment, create wealth and engender development.”
“Our people are great and we have a history of greatness. Throughout the march was halted, I am very pleased that we have resumed the march to greatness…”
Aregbesola went ahead to give appreciation to every individual and group that had hand in one way or the other to the making of the state in the past 21 years, he said:
“What we have today is the collective effort of successful administrations.”
In his words of commendation, he specifically commended Chief Bisi Akande’s administration, noting that before he took over the reins of power and service in the state, the achievements of Chief Akande had been unrivalled in vision, dedication, commitment, transparency and integrity.
Since the inception of the current administration in the state on November 27, 2010, it has recorded a number of firsts, adding that it is on record that the administration rebranded Osun, giving the people a positive image and outlook with reference to the state as Ipinle Omoluabi which will enhance the people’s sense of self-worth and position them for self-development and nation-building.
The references drawn above become necessary because the events of last May 27 which form the central theme of this edition borders on regional integration. Me find facts attesting to this in the speech delivered by the Governor at the occasion. The full text of the speech is here recapped, for detailed perusal:
Source: Osundefender
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