Who Sew That Garb For Modakeke Progressive International? -By John Oyebanji

I firmly believe that any man’s finest hour, the greatest fulfillment of all that he holds dear, is that moment when he has worked his heart out in a good cause and lies exhausted on the field of battle – victorious. I am sure the experience of the members of Modakeke Progressive International today agrees with Vince Lombardi’s, except for a slight difference of not being exhausted, but equipped to do more.

To the best of my awareness, Modakeke Progressive International is the United States of America and Ireland’s union of all Modakeke compatriots, providing compassionate humanitarian assistance and support for disabled, underprivileged, underserved and the needy both locally and around the world with outreach programs in education, among other areas.

The Modakeke High School’s atmosphere was lit with excitement as one hundred and fifty beneficiaries received their scholarship awards in the form of immediate cheques converted to accounts of individual schools. 

The hall filled to its brim, ecstasy to its highest tempo, beneficiaries and parents basked in the event’s euphoria, witnessed by important personalities, and worthy of putting pen on paper. The Ogunsua of Modakeke, Oba (Dr.) Joseph Toriola, Prof. Olawale Fadare, Alhaji Tajudeen Oke, Pa B.A. Akinleye, Chief Bisiriyu Kolawole, Palace Chiefs, amidst other dignitaries sew coats of many colours as encouragers to this euphoric moment. 

As I made a non-pilgrim walk into the hall, a thought came bare to me. “Who could have imagined that an initiative that started some years ago, seemingly with less recognition could grow to become a tree that can never be killed?” – It says. Could that have been the thought that resonated with the MPI’s? Who knows?

In the midst of this self-provoked conversation, I reminisced on Ryūnosuke’s opinion that “a man sometimes devotes his life to a desire which he is not sure will ever be fulfilled.” The MPI’s desire creates an advantage for those of us who are passionate about rebuilding an edifice of glory around the educational sector. Those who laugh at their (then) folly are mere spectators, today.

I can’t overemphasize appreciation to the great minds behind this beautiful thought, the sponsors and orchestrators alike. The seeds you sow are becoming mighty fruitful trees, in years sooner than you have thoughts on – bookmark this.

What else? There’s a challenge that this poses. A challenge for more, but on another pedestal that will eventually synergize with the foundation laid by the MPI. Can we find likely community-development organizations who will reproduce this for scores of excellent but underprivileged tertiary institutions’ students? Recent statistics show that a good number of students have forcefully abandoned their academic pursuits for no other than economic reasons. I have much to say, but I’m in between doubts if minds can bear them – however, selah!

MPI did well, beneficiaries, parents, schools administrators, even well-wishers were left with no option than laud this huge effort, I joined them, but I asked again, “who sew this garb of excitement with which MPI wore the atmosphere, today?”

John Oyebanji is a trained Educator, Sociopolitical Commentator, Legal and Diplomatic History Specialist, a P.R. Consultant, amidst other disciplines.