 |
Chief Atere Dada Timothy is a high chief of Isalu quarters of Omuooke Ekiti, and one of the oldest in the kingdom. He recently hit the century mark, yet he remains physically and mentally fit: he walks unaided and has a vision so good he reads without glasses. His memory and remarkably accurate recollection of past events have earned him the moniker ‘Mobile Calendar’. Amidst the pomp and ceremony surrounding his 100th birthday celebration, he had a chat with South-South Regional Manager, SHOLA O’NEIL.
The peaceful rustic agrarian community of Omuooke, Ekiti State stood still for a revered centenarian on the beautiful morning of Sunday, May 5. As the celebrant, Chief Atere Dada Timothy, the Elerinsalu of Isalu Quarters, Omuooke Ekiti, took to the floor of St. Silas Anglican Church that morning, his gait and graceful mien as he glided through the weathered floor of the holy assembly, defied his 100-year existence. Erect, spry and as fit as a fiddle, he could easily pass for a 70-year-old.
The cane in the firm grip of his right arm was a matching part of his agbada, buba and sokoto traditional outfit; not to provide any lumber support or correction of his walking asymmetry. The golden wand barely touched the floor as he ‘ko mole’ (bent down) to the rhythm of the drums heralding him to the rostrum.
He was nimble and agile as he swayed to the rhythmic drums and sound of the trumpets and acoustic instruments. Guests who didn’t know him well were in awe of how he carried and comported himself; while others wondered if Elerinsalu was indeed 100 years old.
Reminiscing on his long and fruitful journey through life, he said his triumphs in the face of awing odds owed to determination and hard work. He said beyond earthly wealth, it was the legacy he aimed to pass to his children and lineage.
Fatherless before even fully knowing his father – he was three years old when his father died – he had no formal elemen tary education because he had to start catering for himself at a tender age. Yet he refused to give up on his dreams. He vowed to ensure that all his children went to school and achieved the highest standard in their educational pursuits.
He rose to become a responsible and prominent member of his clan, who raised and trained his children (biological and adopted) through various levels of education – tertiary and beyond- through hard work and determination. Amidst all that, he enrolled into adult school, where he took lessons and learnt to read and write, thereby fulfilling one of his lifelong ambitions.
Like most people blessed with longevity, he is also contending with losing loved ones and most of his age mates. A notable polygamist like most men of his generation, Pa Atere had two wives, whom he had to bury – the first, Rachel Talabi in 1991, and the second, Ajekingbe, just a couple of years ago.
He told our reporter that he was shaken by those and other tragic incidents, but he didn’t let them define him. “Anybody who wants to succeed must learn to face challenges of life and not use them as excuses for failure,” he declared.
“I am blessed to still be able to walk erect without aid, even after falling off the palm tree I had climbed to get my usual palm wine. Every morning, I exercise by walking to visit my friends and relatives in nearby quarters.”
“Walking is an everyday exercise for me. Even when I broke my arm and limbs, I didn’t let it stop me. I continued to farm and do all that I love doing.
“There is the saying that if you want to succeed you will find a reason, but if you don’t want to succeed you will find an excuse.”
“I eat miserly because life has taught me that too much of everything, including food, is bad and unhealthy.”
‘Losing my father at age 3 made me strong, independent’
Weaving his thoughts effortlessly between English and Yoruba languages, the centenarian attributed his agility at the ‘young age’ of 100 to personal discipline and the hand of faith. He recalled how having to take responsibility at a young age prepared him for the life he lived.
“My father died when I was just three and a half years old. Life is hard, especially for a child growing up without his father’s support and guidance.
“I took to farming at an early age, because I was taught that a dry and hungry mouth awaits a man whose hands cannot work and fend for himself.”
The agility of the centenarian transcends his physique; residents of his quarters and other parts of Omuooke said his recollection of decades-old occurrences earned him the sobriquet ‘Mobile Calendar’.
“He is a forthright, disciplined and strident individual who always wants the best for his children, the people around him and his community in general.
“Hence he is always ready and determined to fight for and defend anything that would promote the advancement of his ecosystem,” Akinyemi, who is popularly called Admiral, said.
Recalling his early years as the eldest child of Chief Atere, Pastor Adebayo, a Delta State-based pastor and businessman, recalled how his father taught him to take responsibility for the family as the eldest son.
“It was one of the few times I saw him incapacitated. He had fallen from a palm tree where he was collecting palm wine. He was on his sickbed, and I was preparing for my promotion examination.
“He drew me near and whispered: ‘No matter what profession you choose in life, you must learn a trade – that is how to be the master of your destiny.’
“He urged me to ensure peace and harmony among my siblings. That was many decades ago, and I am happy he made it out alive. What he told me that day became a guide to whatever I do,” Adebayo said.
Lawrence ‘Femi Atere, a US-based chemical engineer, and son of the Elerinsalu, said: “Honesty and integrity are the hallmarks of my father’s existence. He takes them seriously and does not compromise. His admonition is to fail honourably with your head high rather than to succeed by cutting corners, fraud, and shortchanging others.”
“He is a father like no other,” enthused Abiodun Atere, another of his sons. “I call him the Arekemase (the forthright one) of Omuooke, because he is never involved in eke (dubious or ignominious acts).
“He always tells us ‘All that glitters is not gold’, and I am happy he is my father.”
Olanrewaju, Baba’s Tamworth, UK-based son, who spoke via the telephone with our reporter, described his father’s honesty, morals and insistence on the dignity of labour goes with him wherever he goes.
“I learnt from him that I can be a strong personality and yet be humble, considerate of others and diligent in what I do.
“He is a disciplinarian and no-nonsense father, who tells it as it is; a caring heart and principled figure.”
Mrs. Dorcas Mosunmola Kayode, one of his daughters, said “Baba is a hardworking and generous father, whose “generosity attracts children from far and within to his compound.”
Advice to younger people who wish for fulfilled life Basking in his deserved moment of honour, the Elerinsalu told our reporter: “Whatever kindness a man shows to others, especially to children, finds its way back to him,” adding that a man who is kind to his fellow beings and treats them as himself sleeps better and have more reward than the one that is wealthy and unkind.
On keeping fit, he said: “Exercise is the key. Every morning, I walk to see my friends and have small chats with them. I am sure that this is what has kept my legs strong.
“We also need the Grace of God, because without it, a man will always labour in vain; this is biblical and empirical. I am nothing without the special love of God.”
He lamented the growing lack of humanity in the world, saying: “In our time, there was also moral decay, but the difference is that the community shuns them and does not glory and worship people with questionable wealth and lifestyles. They were seen as an aberration. But today, we see parents encouraging their children to do whatever it takes to be financially successful, even if they have to steal.”
Preaching a healthy lifestyle as a means to enhancing the quality of life, he recalled: “I picked up some habits too, but when I saw that they were not good for me I dropped them. For instance, I smoked and drank. I was lucky to discover early that they were not good for me. They were reducing my strength, so I refrained. That is probably why I am here today,” he added.
He urged Nigerians to go back to local and natural foods instead of imported and refined ones. “I stopped drinking alcoholic drinks while sticking to a measured intake of natural palm wine, which is the reason for the strength of my eyes and great eyesight. The natural yeast in palm wine is good for the eyes
“No matter what science produces, they cannot replace the good of natural herbs and God-made roots. Apart from palm wine, I chew on a special root regularly to clean my teeth and help my teeth to remain strong.
“I eat sparingly. Even my favourite food – yam and garden egg sauce – is taken in measured quantities. Eating too much is not a sign of wealth but of gluttony.”
Beyond what men eat or drink, the Elerinsalu admonished that without morals, honesty and contentment, all the steps he enumerated above would be fruitless.
“Even if you stay away from cigarettes, alcohol and other harmful habits, you still might not end well if you are not morally strong. Discipline is the yardstick for measuring success.”
“I do not covet others’ properties, and I am careful about what I need and what I eat. Why take more than you need when it will come back to haunt you?
“This is what is wrong with our society today: one man wants to acquire what is enough to sustain the entire society.
“Ijekuje (gluttony) is the first sign of a failed man and a child who lacks a proper upbringing. Take what is enough for you and let the community be at peace.”
“All of my life, I have always stood for the truth no matter what it costs. I can assure you that the joy of doing the right thing and defending the truth is much more refreshing than the gains or illicit benefits.
“But my greatest joy is that I have eight graduate children and all of them are doing well, disciplined, have good names and are not bringing my name to disrepute. That is a thing of joy.”
Earlier during the service, the presiding Bishop, Reverend Ajao Mathew Ayotunde, and other members of the congregation commended the centenarian’s dedication to the things of God.
Some of those who spoke remarked on his regular attendance and participation in the church’s activities.
“He is very involved in church’s activities. His active role and forthrightness were recognised with an ‘Elders’ Devotee’ award from the Anglican Church in 2022.”
No comments:
Post a Comment