Taiwo Abiodun with Esuleke
…….Politicians should swear with god of iron
…….As a Councilor I didn’t steal money
…….. I finished reading Bible and Koran in 1955
………Why they call me The Boy
HIS RESIDENCE
In Oshogbo , Osun State, he is one of the most popular Community leaders .He is loved, feared and respected because of his faithfulness, truthfulness, humility and sincerity .To liars and dishonest people the Community leader is not loved after all the Yoruba proverb says Olooto eniyan ko n’leni. He is fearless, blunt and speaks the truth , according to him, Esu Deity does not love a liar and unfaithful person. He care less about worldly materials .He assists the needy and in his own way a Philanthropist .That is the life of a six footer Pa Omokayode Idowu Esuleke .Esuleke who worships Esu in Oshogbo. He is the Baale of Esu . He professes Esu as his religion. He worships Esu as a god .His mien and his manners continually expresses him as an important personage.
Esuleke lives in a bungalow with his family. On his table are various books he has published . In some corners of his house are oil lamps burning , and these lamps must not quench!.
Going round the the compound is a botanical garden where he planted shrubs, herbs and roots meant for his profession . There are some clay pots on fire where he produces some of his traditional medicine because he heals as a Traditional doctor .
As he was strolling around on that day with this reporter the shouts of The Boy! The Boy!! rent the air, as both the young and the old greeted him. In response, the highly respected septuagenarian responded by waving back. In Oshogbo Community he is loved, respected and honored. He is versatile in his field and the academic community had honoured him with the titles of Professor and Doctor. He is and loved by his community. He is popular and humble .He is kind and a man with large heart. He does not believe in lying or deceit no wonder he is feared by unscrupulous and people with shady character and loved by honest and sincere people. That is the man, the Baale of Esu in Oshogbo, Pa Omokayode Idowu Esuleke who is the Baale Esu Agbojeniyi of Oshogbo land. He is the head of all Esu and Egungun worshippers , and Chairman Board of Traditional Council in Oshogbo. He is well respected and revered . While everybody was swearing an oath with Holy Bible and Koran Esuleke who was to be sworn in as a Councillor sworn with Ogun , the Yoruba god of Iron .
Esuleke showing his Clay pots and shrubs , discussing with Taiwo Abiodun
MY FATHER HAD 23 WIVES
Pa Esuleke said his father had 23 wives while his mother was the last wife , however Esuleke whose mother was the last wife (23rd) emerged to be the first and only surviving child of the large family.
Esuleke said his parents were traditional worshipers , he said ” my father was powerful physically and spiritually .He too was the Baale Esuleke , he worshiped Esu . He married 23 wives and my mother was the last wife. While I am the first and only surviving child .My late father was so powerful that if he sent any of his wives on errands to fetch water and the woman felt reluctant she would have a miscarriage .Or when my father was angry and only say ‘Ha! me?’ to any of his wives the woman would suffer miscarriage. But when my mother conceived , a powerful Juju man was consulted and he revealed to them who and the manner of human being I would be. The man asked my parents to give me the name , Esuleke .I inherited the worshiping Esu from my father , he was the (Spiritual head) Baale Esu , and Esu worshiper”.
Taiwo Abiodun with Esuleke
DRAMA AT THE SWEARING -IN CEREMONY
Some years back , the old man , Esuleke caused a stir ; when he was to be sworn- in as a Counsellor in Oshogbo, while other political officers – to – be demanded for the Holy Bible and Holy Koran to swear an oath with but Mr. Omokayode Idowu Esuleke’s case was different as he shocked everybody when he demanded for cutlass which symbolizes Ogun , the Yoruba god of iron , this was at the swearing -in ceremony of public officers when he was among the Councilors to be sworn -in , in Oshogbo , Osun State few years back .Esuleke rejected the Holy Bible and Holy Koran when he was asked to pick , he then opted for a cutlass .He told this reporter ” I believe in the Yoruba gods that are effective unlike Holy Books that are slow to react , punish or easily forgive so when we were asked to swear an oath I demanded for Ogun the Yoruba god of Iron , and I was given a cutlass to swear with to the amazement of others .Throughout my tenure in the Council in Oshogbo I did not steal a kobo while my action forced others to be loyal, and money was not missed or reportedly got lost .The record is there , you can ask”, these were the words of a Septuagenarian who also bears a fearful name , Esuleke ( from Esu) as he said he worships Esu and he is the Baale Esu in Oshogbo.
WHY I AM CALLED ‘THE BOY’
For Esuleke ,his hair had covered his facial marks which could not let him be easily recognized .Esuleke is popular among his colleagues and among the youths In Oshogbo , he is known and called ‘ The Boy’, but in real sense of it he is a grandfather but because he plays with everybody thus his humility earns him the nickname ‘ The Boy‘, he is a man of the people and like a drama as he goes about one could see young men and women greeting him and calling him ‘ The Boy’ which did not annoy him but instead thrills him as he would wave his hands in response .Asked why he called himself ‘The Boy’, Esuleke said he does not believe he is old , ” whoever claims to be an old man will not enjoy the support of the people, and whoever is looking for his mate should go to the cemetery”, he stated with a laughter .
WORSHIPING ESU
In his bungalow which is made of mud-bricks are burning oil lamps that will never quench as the flames go up in all the corners and rooms , he said , pointing ” This is one of the Shrines of Esu , we also have that of Masquerade .While we have other pots where we prepare our herbs too. My compound is full”, he said as he was showing this reporter his Botanical garden .
To be continued ……