ẸD’É́IYẸMỌ́́’GBÓ
There are many reasons The Yoruba use proverbs in their daily lives. These proverbs are expressions, phrases, poems, and songs easily recreated in many art forms to address complex situations.
This popular song by King Sunny Adé, one of Nigeria’s world-famous musicians, is an excellent example of a poetry proverb about men’s evil actions to destroy other people.
Ẹd’ẹ́iyẹmọ́’gbóẹf’iná sóko yíká
Àkèré wọ’dò ẹlẹ́ ́ẹ́ fẹ́ f’iná le jáde
Oun tí ò lè bọsí oun lè nra’wọ́lé
Ẹlé wa títí Olúwa ò fúu yín se
Àyànmọ́ ò gbọ́ ò ògùn
Orí lẹl’ẹ́jọ́
They set the field on fire to trap a bird
They try to force the frog out of its waterhole with fire
These are impossible tasks they attempt to accomplish
They pursued us with all intrigue, but God frustrated their schemes
Destiny cannot be averted, cannot be changed
Only Ori (‘the head,” refers to a mystical force that determines an individual’s destiny) can overcome intrigue.
The citizens of the United States of America elected their first African American President in 2009. His election was not a surprise to many people that have been observing American politics. The famous American writer, James Baldwin, in his novel “The Fire Next Time,” published in 1962, revealed Bobby Kennedy’s assurance that a Negro can become President in forty years. Kennedy’s prophecy came actual forty-seven years later; an African American was elected President of the United States of America.
Because of the systematic discriminatory experiences of African Americans in the United States, many citizens who oppose change did not take President Obama’s election kindly. Some leaders of the Republican Party, upset by the election of an African America President, formed a united front to challenge any agenda president Obama will propose for the Country. The goal of this unified group was to frustrate Obama and make him appear as a massive failure in the eyes of the people and have him written into history as a failed President.
President Obama served his Country for eight years. History may remember him as one of the decent and successful Presidents of all time, despite the many attempts made to wipe out his achievements from the past. What has the demagogues of the Republican Party achieved in their efforts to tarnish Obama’s legacy?
The King Sunny Adé song, "Ẹd'ẹ́iyẹmọ́'gbó," said of people whose evil actions will hurt them more than they will destroy their enemies.
Leaders in the Republican Party failed to support the agenda of a brilliant President Obama who succeeded in accomplishing many of his programs without their support. The same leaders critical of the Obama Presidency are credited with giving full support to the current President who has been dismantling the agenda of his predecessor.
The first term of this President is almost over, after nearly three years in office, he has displayed temperance on becoming of a leader of this great Nation. He does not have good judgment needed to appoint experienced personnel to his crucial cabinet positions. The notable achievement of this President is selecting a bunch of stumbling amateurs and demagogues to execute his non-programs.