The Legend: Chief Obafemi Awolowo

Shopolu was a hardworking man with multiple farms, some of which were located near Ilene town. He also had a lumber camp, where he employed workers to help with the logging and woodwork. As a responsible owner, Shopolu regularly visited the camp to oversee the operations and ensure everything was running smoothly.

Obafemi, being the curious and eager child that he was, often accompanied his parents to the farm. However, his role was largely limited to staying in the hut with his mother, helping her prepare meals for the family. Despite this, Obafemi was fascinated by the farming tools and longed to have his own set.

One tool, in particular, caught his eye - a cutlass. He begged his father to make him one, and after much persistence, Shopolu finally relented. With his new cutlass in hand, Obafemi was eager to prove himself and assist his father with the farm work. He did his best to help, using his new tool to contribute to the family's farming efforts.

As the evening sun dipped below the horizon, Shopolu and his wife, Efunyela, sat down to a quiet supper together. The peaceful atmosphere was a welcome respite from the hustle and bustle of their daily routines. As they ate, they engaged in conversation, discussing various topics that weighed on their minds.

One pressing concern was the outbreak of smallpox in Ikenne. Shopolu's brow furrowed with worry as he mentioned the rapid spread of the disease. "The smallpox epidemic is spreading fast," he said, his voice laced with concern.

Efunyela's expression turned somber as she responded, "Yes, I've heard that several people have already succumbed to it." The news was alarming, and the couple's conversation turned to the efforts being made to combat the outbreak.

Shopolu mentioned that the worshippers of Oluwaiye, the god of smallpox, were performing their ceremonial rites in an attempt to appease the deity and halt the spread of the disease. The couple's discussion was a reflection of the community's concern and the desperate measures being taken to address the crisis.

Shopolu's skepticism was evident as he questioned the effectiveness of the worshippers' efforts to stop the spread of smallpox. "The ceremonies will last for twenty-one days," he said, "but can they truly halt the disease? I highly doubt it."

Efunyela nodded in agreement, her expression mirroring her husband's skepticism. "They can't," she said, her voice firm.

Shopolu's eyes narrowed as he delved into the darker aspects of the tradition surrounding smallpox victims. "You know their customs," he said, his tone laced with disdain. "If a pagan victim of smallpox dies, they won't allow the body to be buried unless their priest performs the rites. And that's not all – they'll demand exorbitant sums of money from the grieving family, and to add insult to injury, they'll confiscate the deceased person's property."

Efunyela's face reflected her distaste for the exploitative practices of the worshippers. The couple's conversation highlighted the oppressive nature of these traditions, which preyed on the vulnerability of those affected by the disease.

Efunyela's voice was laced with disgust as she condemned the exploitative practices of the Oluwaiye worshippers. "It's a very bad practice," she said, shaking her head.

Shopolu's expression turned determined, and he leaned in closer to his wife. "The Christian body will do something about it," he whispered, his voice barely audible. "But this is top secret," he cautioned, emphasizing the need for discretion.

Undeterred by the risks, Shopolu began to mobilize his fellow Christians to take action against the Oluwaiye group. They held clandestine meetings, discussing strategies and planning their next move. When the worshippers finally concluded their rituals and sacrifices, the Christians saw their chance.

Under the cover of darkness, they snuck into the Oluwaiye shrine, determined to put an end to the exploitative practices once and for all. With swift efficiency, they removed the idols and other paraphernalia, dousing them in kerosene before setting them ablaze. The fire crackled and spat, consuming everything in its path. The Christians ensured that everything was reduced to ashes, leaving no remnants of the Oluwaiye shrine behind.

With their mission accomplished, they slipped back into the night, returning to their homes in secret. The daring raid marked a significant turning point in the community's struggle against the oppressive practices of the Oluwaiye worshippers.

The next day, the worshippers of Oluwaiye gathered at their shrine, only to be met with a shocking sight. Their idols, ritual objects, and other paraphernalia lay in ashes, destroyed by the fire that had been set the night before.

"Ye pa! Ye pa!" their leader cried out in anguish, using the Yoruba expression for shock and outrage. "They have destroyed our sacred objects! Why?! Who are these wicked people who did this?"

The worshippers were furious and demanded revenge, but they were unsure of who had carried out the attack. They began to suspect certain individuals and groups, but they had no concrete evidence.

Determined to uncover the identities of the perpetrators, the worshippers started to gather information and look for hints. They questioned people in the community, trying to gather clues and piece together the events of the previous night. Their investigation had begun, and they were determined to find out who had desecrated their shrine.

Despite the efforts to address the issue of the Oluwaiye shrine, the smallpox epidemic continued to spread rapidly, like wildfire, through the community. The situation became increasingly dire, and the government was forced to take action. A team of vaccinators was dispatched to Ikenne, and some people were vaccinated in an effort to halt the spread of the disease.

However, amidst the chaos and uncertainty, Shopolu's health began to decline. He fell ill, but he didn't want his children to worry, so he kept his condition a secret. One memorable evening, he called Obafemi and his sisters, Olu, to gather around him. The atmosphere was somber, and the children sensed that something was amiss, but they didn't know what to expect. Shopolu's eyes, filled with a deep concern, looked at his children as he began to speak.

As Shopolu gathered his children around him, they expected to hear one of his engaging stories. But instead, he announced, "I want to travel to Lagos. I will buy some things." The children's eyes lit up at the prospect of their father bringing back gifts.

Obafemi, being the curious and enthusiastic child that he was, spoke up, "Daddy, I want something! I hope you will buy it for me." Shopolu's face broke into a warm smile as he asked, "What do you want? You know I will buy whatever you want."

Obafemi's eyes sparkled as he thought for a moment before responding, "I want some biscuits. You once brought me some a long time ago. There is a picture of an animal on the wrappings." Shopolu's expression turned thoughtful as he tried to recall the specific biscuits Obafemi was referring to.

Suddenly, a look of recognition crossed his face, and he asked, "You mean Tiger Biscuit?" Obafemi's face lit up with excitement as he replied, "Yes, Father, that's what I want!"

Shopolu's gaze swept the room, and he asked, "Where is Bolajoko, your sister?" Olu, who was standing nearby, replied softly, "Bolajoko is sleeping, sir."

Shopolu's expression turned serious, and he looked at Obafemi with a sense of urgency. "Take care of yourself, Obafemi. Take care of Bolajoko and Olu," he instructed, his voice laced with concern.

Obafemi, sensing the gravity in his father's tone, promised, "I will, Father, I promise I will." Shopolu's eyes lingered on his children, filled with a deep affection and worry.

Unbeknownst to the children, Shopolu's decision to leave was not about traveling to Lagos to buy gifts, but about isolating himself due to his illness. He had contracted smallpox and was determined to keep it a secret from his children. His primary concern was preventing the spread of the disease to his loved ones, and he was willing to make the ultimate sacrifice to ensure their safety.

Shopolu was aware that smallpox was a highly contagious disease, and he didn't want to risk infecting his loved ones. Moreover, he was concerned about the potential backlash from the worshippers of Oluwaiye, who might seek revenge if they discovered that he was the one who had orchestrated the destruction of their shrine.

Tragically, Shopolu's illness proved fatal, and he passed away in 1920. The news of his death was met with jubilation by the worshippers of Oluwaiye, who saw it as a form of divine retribution. They might have suspected or even known about Shopolu's role in the destruction of their shrine, and they felt that his death was a fitting punishment for his perceived transgression.

The worshippers' reaction to Shopolu's death was a stark reminder of the deep-seated tensions and conflicts that existed between the Christian community and the traditional worshippers of Oluwaiye. Shopolu's passing marked the end of an era, but it also left behind a legacy of courage and conviction that would continue to inspire his family and community.