When the news of the recent marriage of the Chancellor of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka – Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi; – Ọjájá II, started filtering into the news, many had mixed feelings. For me, who holds the monarchy in extremely high regard, I was troubled. My discomfiture arises from the fact that the seat of Oni of Ife and the Oba of Benin are two of the most revered monarchies that are fully indigenous in Nigeria. And anything happening to these kingdoms has a far-reaching effect on the epistemology of the Black race, extending from Nigeria to Brazil, the Caribbean, and Europe. As the images of the marriage ceremony of the Ooni started flooding social media, my worries increased. Quick research would show that from the marriage or union of the Ooni’s first child till now, the Ooni has been involved in 5 unions. Four of the five had ended unsuccessfully. Ordinarily, the way African culture is structured, the Ooni and other monarchs are unquestionable. They are answerable only to God because they are semi-deities. So, even a journalist that ordinarily has a license to observe, infer and write conclusively about his or her observation is not permitted to do so. But we are in a different era. 

An era where anyone with a smartphone and internet data can publish the most blatant lie or the most skewed interpretation of events and personalities. This is my dilemma! But I must write to try to put things in the right perspective. And the right or objective perspective is becoming increasingly rare. If you read the various reports on the death of the Queen of England – Queen Elizabeth II, you would wonder if you were reading about the same woman. You would see write-ups that focus on the atrocities of her ancestors in the colonial era and her silence during the apartheid era and the fact that she benefitted from the global loot and never apologized. And you would see narratives that glorify her reign of seven decades that was somewhat scandal-free. You would even see posts of those who draw attention to Prince Harry’s children who were just declared Prince and Princess after her death. The truth is that we would all be judged by our actions, inactions, words, and silence. There is no standing on the wall in life. Your silence is a statement even if it is one of the safest statements to make.

So, before I start writing about the Ooni and his many failed attempts at the most important institution that gives birth to kingdoms and empires – marriages, let me ask myself some questions. What have I done with my life so far? How have I used my God-given talents to bless humanity? What kind of life am I preparing for the children that God has given me? What would be my legacy when I join my maker after hundred-plus years? Yes! We need to ask ourselves these questions before we spend our time and data writing about Queen Elizabeth II and the Ooni of Ife – Ojaja II. Though I have a license to write about anyone and anything as a journalist, I will not use this license today. Today is a day of introspection. I want to ask myself difficult questions about my past, present, and future. I want to start judiciously using the time, talents, and treasures that I have because I can create a kingdom just like the first monarch of England or Ife or Benin. Everything is possible to him or her that believes and is ready to work out his or her beliefs. I want to start by building a legacy that would outlive me and create a better and easier life for my children, grandchildren and great-grand children. Yes! This is a better use of my time today and this week.

Ata Ukuta, Editor, Towncryyers