The Executive Governor of Ondo State, Dr. Olusegun Abayomi Mimiko, has said that hard work and determination are the solutions to success, recalling that in 2009, when he took over the leadership of Ondo State, he adapted the Yoruba mantra, “Ise Logun Ise”, meaning, “hard work is an antidote to success”.
Dr. Mimiko stated this at the Command Performance of Love Twirls of Adiitu and Iyunade by Olu Obafemi, a stage adaptation of The Mysteries of God, a translation of D. O. Fagunwa’s Adiitu Olodumare, which was held at the International Conference Centre (The Dome) on Tuesday, 14th February, 2017.
Speaking at the occasion, Governor Mimiko applauded Professor Olu Obafemi for the outstanding script, which, he said, was right on time, considering the economic situation in the country, averring that from the perspective of the play, Adiitu’s persistence, hard work and determination won for him his heart’s desire, which was getting Princess Iyunade as a wife.
The play, Love Twirls of Adiitu and Iyunade, is based on a search by a young man, called Adiitu, for love. Adiitu had a dream that he was about getting married to the Princess of Alakose, who slapped him in the presence of the King, because of his poverty.
His dream came to pass but with a happy ending, when he left his father’s house in pursuit of greener pastures. He was implicated in a theft case at Ifehinti, for buying a stolen fruit from Jagunna, who denied ever seeing him.
To prove his innocence, however, he was sent into the forest of the gods to retrieve the sword of justice; he succeeded in the dangerous search and was therefore rewarded with Jagunna’s riches, while Jagunna was beheaded.
The happy ending was that after overcoming several challenges of adversities and tribulations, Adiitu finally succeeded in marring Princess Iyunade of Ajedubule town.
The event was an assemblage of theatre and literary icons, political big-wigs and captains of industry, which included, Prof. Femi Osofisan, Prof. Olu Obafemi, Prof. Duro Oni, Prof. Femi Mimiko, Prof. Sunny Ododo, Prof. Ojo Bakare, Prof. Emmanuel Dandaura, Chief and Mrs. Bode George, Chief Ayo Adebanjo (former NADECO Chieftain), and Barr. Dan Nwanyawu (former Labour Party Chairman).
The Executive Secretary, National Institute for Cultural Orientation (NICO), Dr. Barclays Foubiri Ayakoroma, also an Associate Professor at the Nasarawa State University, Keffi (NSUK), was represented at the occasion by South-West Zonal Coordinator of the Institute, Mr. James Imohiosen, and other members of the zonal office.
Stephen Ayomoba
Corporate Affairs
NSWZ