It used to be very difficult for me to understand the place and relevance of national groups like the Anambra Sisters Association, Aniocha group, Urhobo Union, and even the Yoruba Socio – Cultural group, Egbe Omo Yoruba. I have lived in Greater Kansas City, an area spreading across both Kansas and Missouri state lines and never for once attended the group’s meetings. I used to feel that an attendance at such meetings would always negate my Pa –Nigerian and broad – based African orientation. I always forgot that I first have to possess a village root before I can lay a factual claim to global citizenry. I like the idea of unity, it means strength. Division is the mighty precursor of ultimate conquest.

 

And so during a recent meeting of the Egbe Omo Yoruba in Kansas City, Missouri, I made an appearance with my friend Yomi Adejo. I was welcomed by an American who greeted me “E kaabo si Ipade yi” in flawless Yoruba. I mean, it was the awakening that I felt when the Nobel Laureate in Literature, Wole Soyinka, once greeted me in Abuja “Se Alafia ni?” I mean with Soyinka’s legendary exploits with metallic and complex English language constructions ,I was not expecting that kind of unscheduled tutorial in being true to my identity.

 

That was the kind of jolt I felt when that American, now thoroughly Yorubalized American greeted me. And the man whose name I later found out, Chief Ajamu Wester, although had to leave for an engagement later that night at MCI Airport, tarried to talk further with us in Yourba, which kept me amazed the more. Whoever taught him the language did a good job. He too did excellently, to learn.

 

I had attended the meeting at the instance of the President, Mr. Yomi Aromona and his pretty wife, Mummy Bisola. Mr. Aromona, a certified Public Accountant came to America about twenty eight years ago. He has not lost touch with Nigeria or his Yoruba roots. He visits Nigeria regularly.

 

So also is the Secretary of the group, Mr. Ade Orekoya.

 

My greatest surprise came when the prominent lawyer and Kansas city, Kansas based Chief Bayo Ogunmeno spoke real D. O. Fagunwa type of Yoruba.

Chief Ogunmeno speaks Yoruba well and he is an accomplished lawyer and politician in Kansas City, Kansas, yet he does not have to hate and avoid his own roots. It was actually a big plus.

 

My understanding of the composition attendance at the meeting is that there is no age or achievement limitation before somebody can join and make a meaningful contribution. Some of our folks have become senior citizens, some very old. A life lived for service is a life lived truly. The old, the young would always need one form of assistance or the other. Some of our young ones would need mentors and even tips on how to get into schools and colleges, they would need to settle down and mingle and marry amongst fellow Nigerians in the future. People often need real help. Some African folks who chose to live in unwarranted solitude often die, get missing or run into trouble without their kinsmen knowing. Some need to mentor and motivate others.

 

Or what do we say of Chief Olu Falae’s recent painful tears on how Nigerian elites are losing their children to strange climes and cultures? Imagine the kind of embarrassment that a child has caused a good father like Professor Tunde Adeniran. Some of our forebears have made grave mistakes in bringing their children here and not properly shepherding them.

 

I am really impressed about the unity of the members who were present at the W.E.B Dubois Centre, Cleveland, Missouri, Kansas meeting of last Sunday. I hope to see as many of my readers in the Kansas city Area and all over Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Iowa, Arkansas at the next meeting, the first Sunday in the month of November.