WHAT IS YOUR DUDUYEMI?

There was a strong social division between the senior members of staff and junior ones within the Obafemi Awolowo University (O.A.U), Ile-Ife, community; where I grew up. Everything was dichotomized in this social order. We had the Senior Staff Quarters and the Junior one. Children of the senior staff attended O.A.U Staff Primary School, popularly known as Staff School-owned by the University. While the children of the junior staff attended O.A.U Primary School, popularly know as U.P.E (Universal Primary Education)-owned by government. A school used by S.O Awokoya, the then Minister of Education(Western Region), as a failed experiment for teaching Mathematics in Yoruba language.

My father, though later became a senior staff, was a junior staff when I started primary education. So I attended U.P.E, and I learnt ARITIMETIKI KINI, IKEJI, EKETA (Arithmetic 1, 2, and 3), from my primary one to three. Nevertheless, I thank my stars my mum did not allow our dad keep us in that Junior Staff Quarters....We stayed in town-gboro!

Every year we planted and harvested corn on the school farm and we did Èkó-Ìbílé (Native Education), which required us to submit a supposed personally made hand-craft or art-work.

Though we were taught Èko Ìbágbépò Èdá (Social Studies), yours truly could not gbépò in peace with the juniors. So I was summoned to the Head Master's office, who had made a phone call to my father this fateful day, that I just broke a junior colleague's arm. While waiting for the panel of justice to form a quorum, I spotted a shinning monochrome passport photo of my Head Master. I had found what I would use for my Èkó-Ìbílè hand craft. Phew! It was in my pocket. Did I hear someone say I "tifd" it? Is it your Head Master's "pishure"?

Fast forward to the hand craft submission day. I submitted a neatly penciled portrait of my Head Master (not a perfect rendition though, there was a striking semblance). But unfortunately my class teacher, MRS DUDUYEMI, insisted the portrait was not drawn by me. "There is no way a barely eight year old boy would draw this". Anytime one of the other teachers tried to make her see the possibilities. "I will not accept this", she would Hitlerly retort. I asked if I could bring my sisters to testify to the truth that the art-work was hand-made by me, but all pleas fell on Olúmo rocks in her ears. The Head Master collected the portrait by the way (Eni eléni); my father bought a bunch of brooms, like all other parents...we submitted. I wonder what they did with all our brooms? As we would still submit another set again next academic year.

MRS DUDUYEMI crucified in me the passion for drawing and Fine-Art generally, that day. Unlike Jesus Christ, that passion never resurrected in me, though the gift is still there. I however found solace in Music and Writing. My father, siblings, church, everybody around me cheered me on, on my path to literary and musical discoveries, education and growth. From a vocalist, to producer, radio presenter, artiste manager, media relations manager, record company manager, investment broker, now a Copyright expert and a creative writer. Writing and Music Business had made far more money for me than my school certificates!

Anytime a music investor/company/artiste contact me to run media promotion for their new songs or videos; structure their contracts; prepare their annual budgets; make digital sales; manage their investments, scout for potential hit songs/producers/video directors; settle Copyright disputes etc; or get a writing contract; and I get paid for my services. I always remember its because some people supported my music and writing passion. Now, I can only imagine what I could have done with Fine-Art too!

We all have at least one "hand-craft" in our lives. Yours might be that idea, that potential business, a new creative way to solving an old problem, etc But there is always a boss, spouse, friend, Pastor, fear, lack, ailment, and what have you; ready to tell us, "You can't". I never rose above MRS DUDUYEMI in drawing, becuase I had an easy alternative. What if I didn't? Don't allow any discouragement or naysayer kill your dream. Stand up and rise above your MRS DUDUYEMI today!

©Joe Ademiju