My initial plan for this column was to open with a song I thought was titled ‘Labule’ by one Christian female gospel singer. But my limited knowledge of that genre of music and artists in that category rendered that idea stultifying.
But I did try both online and offline to unearth the name of that woman, to little avail. For instance, I typed some lyrics of the song on Google hoping the Google algorithm would be sensitive, savvy, and smart enough to retrieve any song striking any semblance and similarities with that verse, but it didn’t end as I thought.
Frustrated by Google’s disappointment, I turned to a friend who I presumed was familiar with that musical terrain, he mustered a few names like Aduke Gold, which also didn’t churn out any satisfying results. With limited time, I resigned to fate.
As a passive listener of all kinds of songs, I found the opening verse of ‘sisi labule’s enthralling and captivating song to both capture the nuances and complexities of my experience and perspective trudging the village of Adeyipo.
Reminiscing about my time inside that knowledge village, I couldn’t help exchanging Adeyipo for the Sisi Labule literal kingdom of heaven. For example, ‘Abule’ in the context of that timeless song is described as a metaphorical heaven. The singer philosophically and metaphorically painted the road leading to the ‘abule’ (kingdom of God) as both deplorable and difficult. Listen to her: ‘Ona abule o da, sugbon abule wa wapa’- translation: the road leading to ‘abule’ is bad, but that ‘abule’ is an abode of satisfaction.
I couldn’t help but marvel at the musical sagacity of that artist. Truly, like the metaphoric kingdom of heaven, the road leading to Adeyipo is both heartbreaking and depressing. Unarguably, the bad state of the road leading to the village is simply its biggest barrier and obstacle. Take away the bad road and you will have an oasis in the desert of knowledge and information.
Founded by Dr. Bayo Adebowale, author of the popular books ‘Virgin’ and ‘Lonely Days’, the African Heritage Research Library and Cultural Center (AHRLC), Adeyipo Village is the home of the first rural community-based African studies research library. Located in Lagelu local government, the center boasts jaw-dropping and earth-shattering book collections that can only be found in a few places around the world.
Sitting magisterially, majestically, and royally on about 10 acres of land, AHRLC offers an unmatched literary experience that walks explorers, researchers, students, and literary enthusiasts through the charming and serene ambiance of rural Adeyipo. The village, to modestly put it offers a haven for all sorts of knowledge seekers looking for a sanctuary to do really works of astounding quality.
In his soft yet scathing welcome address, the founder of the center, Dr. Bayo Adebowale posited that he conceived the idea in 1987 as a “reaction to a disparaging article on Africa and Africans in a foreign magazine”. Today, the center stands gingerly as the third largest collection of black race literature (The first being in Washington DC, and the second in London, UK). And to the pleasure of other creatives at the program, Dr. Adebowale equally noted that the intention of situating such a literary behemoth in that rural setting was to bring African cultural heritage back to its origin. He said much of the richness of our culture has been lost to modernization and urbanization in the cities and that only an idea deeply rooted and quite sensitive to the peculiarities of rural dwellers can sustain the uniqueness of our culture. He was loud, firm, and unequivocal: the lives of city dwellers are no better than those of rural settlers.
Visited by five former Governors and notable personalities, the African Heritage Research Library and Cultural Center (AHRLC) is a place of reflection and introspection. From the first Republic former Governor of Old Oyo State, Dr. Victor Omololu Olunloyo, to Alhaji Lamidi Onaolapo Adesina, Senator Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja, Otunba Christopher Adebayo Alao-Akala and former Governor of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Adesoji Aregbesola. Legal titan, Aare Afe Babalola, human rights activist, Dele Farotimi, and literary icons like J.P Clark, Adeyipo Village has witnessed an impressive array of highly networked Nigerians across all walks of life.
For example, the legal juggernaut, Aare Afe Babalola was reported to have donated a giant, spacious hall for the center. The hall was commissioned by former Governor Adebayo Alao-Akala. In addition to that, the former Osun state Governor is probably the only politician to have kept and fulfilled his promise to the place. For instance, on the 5th of June 2018, Ogbeni Aregbesola donated a truck for the ease of movement and mobility of the research center.
Ogbeni described the place as a very inspiring location for culture and black heritage. He contended in a statement released over the donation that “something this huge is hidden” and that he is encouraged that the Yoruba culture and heritage are always going to be sustained for future generations so that we do not lose sight of who we are as a race”. Quite heartwarming, Ogbeni is also constructing a building for the use of the center.
Walking quietly on a tour of the place with the founder Dr. Adebowale offers a sense of foreboding. Stocked to the brim, the various book collections are gradually withering away. Lacked basic facilities such as power supply, proper maintenance, and continuous use, the place plucked out the reality of Nigeria’s dysfunction in a remarkable way. As of today, the place is in dire need of urgent intervention for leaking roofs, and infrastructural decay among others. First time, I am offering this platform to call members of the public to please rally around this project so that the place can bubble and come back to life as it was the projection and prediction of the founders.
I am going to end this column with this quote: Aren’t we “Guardians of our roots, protectors of our heritage. Today, we stand as stewards of the past, custodians of the present, and architects of the future. In the tapestry of our culture, every thread woven by our ancestors carries the wisdom of centuries. Let us shield our traditions from the winds of change, for in preserving our heritage, we sow the seeds of a resilient and vibrant tomorrow.”
OYO101 is Muftau Gbadegesin’s opinion about issues affecting Oyo state and is published every Saturday. He can be reached via @muftaugbade on X, muftaugbadegesin@gmail.com and 09065176850.
