An Open Letter to Dr. Toyin Falola, The Moderator - On This Dr. Ariyo Palaver. . .

[Michael Afolayan]

Dear Dr. Falola:

Trust me, I am not unaware of your busy engagements, neither am I unaware of your wise decision to stay away from ethnic sensationalism and political squabbles that have intensely invaded our space in recent times. Yet, this Dr. Adeniran Ariyo and the Igbo controversy in Dallas, TX is fast becoming a swinging pendulum capable of breaking and shattering in any and all directions. Like the watery mud, which a careless hand pummels in anger, it may soil white garments, wherever it splatters into them. Excuse my dry metaphors, but I think a truce needs be called. Too much of our linen is being spread in the open sun and some are better kept under the roof.

Sir, you live in Texas and you are an elder, a mentor, and a professor of great repute to many on these fora. Would you, together with some Nigerian elders in Texas, be kind enough to summon some of the major actors in this theater of in-house sibling rivalry that has traveled far and found itself in the marketplace of a foreign land? "I can't see anyone else facilitating this process than you. Seriously, I hate to pour more into your cup that is already full but as long as the elders are in the marketplace," as our people say, "babies should sleep easy - with no sprained necks, in the back of their mothers," right? Please, before the mythical lady enters the marketplace in her birthday suit, kindly call the matter into its senses, and let's all sing together "Pacem inter fatres" (Peace among brothers)!

Michael O. Afolayan

From the Land of Lincoln

[Michael Afolayan]

Co-compatriots -

I would like to thank everyone who has responded or reacted to my plea for Professor Toyin Falola to arbitrate the growing friction between the Igbo community of Dallas (or at teast, a strong segment of it) and Dr. Ariyo. To be specific, I thank Vin Otuonye, whose first response brought about a chain of reactions. His appeal for calm and a six-tier proposal for propitiation are appreciated. I also appreciate Emmanuel Onyilofor's backing of Vin and Nwachukwu's "the ball is in your court" challenge to Dr. Ariyo, the protagonist of the whole drama. Achusim's insistence on the right of the Igbo people to "do it my way," when it comes to the Ariyo matter, G.C. Umunnakwe's castigation of those who supported Ariyo, Afis' lampooning of Osuji's comment, Iguade's humorizing Bolaji Aluko's intervention, and Chris Udoh's "no ceremony required" plea and his critique of "the good, the bad, and the ugly" side of the three overtly elevated ethnic groups of Nigeria are not without notice. I appreciate Chief Onyeani's claim for his natural right to mediate on the matter over Professor Falola due to the chronological age gap between the two, a fact that I think also invoked its own merit and for this and all other comments, some of which I am sure I have missed or inadvertently left out, I doff my hat to the diasporean community that found this matter salient enough to talk about it.

I really don't want to be an "Odija-sile takete" (an agent provocateur who triggers contestive scuffles and stands aloof). Therefore, I would like to state the following:

1. I did not make a call for Professor Falola on his gerontological merit but purely on the basis of his proximity (as a resident of Texas, where the matter is taking place), and his neutrality to this and many contentious matters. Of course, his intellectual credential is a plus but not the reason I suggested his name. I could not call on Chief Onyeani, an elder in his own right, who, to my pleasant surprise, is 10 years older than Professor Falola, only because he is not a resident of Texas.

2. And, having said (1) above, I stand in concert with the Yoruba adage that "Whether it is a man that sees the snake and it is a woman that kills it is totally inconsequential, as long as the nuisance is taken care of." It really does not have to be Professor Falola who should mediate this matter as long as this matter is laid to rest and the parties forge an enduring brotherhood and a lovely sisterhood. 

3. I felt it is important for us to put an end to this issue and really, in agreement with Bolaji Aluko's cultural allusion to the Yoruba folktale of the Tortoise and his in-law (the giant snail), even if one catches another person red-handed stealing from one's soup pot, and one calls the neighbors to witness the thief's shameful deed, there comes a time when one has to let go of the shaming game because embarrassing the culprit has its own tim; that way, on the long run, the same neighbors who have hailed the owner against the culprit may not turn around and start blaming the victim.

4. It is clear that in a situation of this nature, there are certain segments of our society which would derive excitement and find ways to fuel the unholy fire. That way, unsuspecting but genuine victims may think such segments speak for them when in reality, the former may only be doing this to advance their own course. By mending the broken relationship, such segments are silenced and in a way, told off. Let's do just that!

5. Cheer-leading a chaotic situation from either side is counter-productive. When verbal darts like "hooliganism," "terrorism," "hypocrites," "Hitler," "pathological liars," "shameless people," "sick people," and so on, are being freely thrown around they don't heal; they hurt and fuel an already toxic situation. I think in a civil community like where we come from, calling a truce, rather than instigate its continuity, is in order.

6. While not dismissing them with a wave of the hand, I assume all the "natal versus diasporean acceptable hot drinks" in the Igbo cultural contexts are just to add fun to the whole conversation, and are nothing to be taken too seriously. 

7. Finally, I believe "oro pele" (civil dialogue) could bring out the kola from the pocket, rather than draw a sword from the pouch. In the face of the South Carolina violence in our necks of the wood, the Boko Haram's aggression in the home front, and the ever-present confrontations that attend daily survival in the diaspora, we've got our work cut out for us and this altercation should be avoidable and its flame quenched. 

I sincerely hope and ardently pray we bring resolution to this unwanted and unwarranted rancor. It is a lingering menace we can sure send to the sea of forgetfulness. And, unfortunately, until the southwest, the south-south and the south east work together, I find it hard to see any lasting solution to the sad malmanagement of the nation called Nigeria. I hope I'm wrong on this, but I doubt it.

Michael O. Afolayan

From the Land of Lincoln

On Monday, June 22, 2015 2:37 PM, "Vin Otuonye vincent...@msn.com [NIgerianWorldForum]" <NIgerianW...@yahoogroups.com> wrote:

 

Wilson:

I didn't even see Aluko email until I read yours. Bolaji Aluko is just trying to be clever.  Please tell Bolaji to tell his niece to play well for the English women team. Since they dropped her to the bench,  the team has been playing well. 

And there you have it.

Vin Cool Breeze Otuonye

Sent from my T-Mobile 4G LTE Device

-------- Original message --------
From: Wilson Iguade <igu...@hotmail.com>
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Subject: Re: [africanworldforum] RE: An Open Letter to Dr. Toyin Falola, The Moderator - On This Dr. Ariyo Palaver. . .

VC Aluko,

Man dey Dallas o! Wetin "shack" yours truly na SCOTCH, at least 100 years old, any brand will do. Lol!

Iguade (wannabe ogogoro man for peace!) 

Sent from my iPhone

On Jun 20, 2015, at 1:15 PM, "Mobolaji Aluko" <alu...@gmail.com> wrote:

Vin Otuonye and Ogbuefi Onyeani:

When both of you decide which drinks best "shacks" your groups, please tell us.

In the time being, Dr. Ariyo should be left alone....aseju ti wo, ojo ti pe!  Over-kill don henter dis palava nor be today.....

And there you have it.

Bolaji Aluko

Shaking his head

On Sat, Jun 20, 2015 at 5:55 PM, Vin Otuonye <vincent...@msn.com> wrote:

Mazi Chika Onyeani:
 
Every Igbo group here in the US is different. Every group have their peculiar drink they accept. That Schnapps is accepted back in Nigeria doesn't mean it is accepted in the US. I was President of Orlu Regional Union, Atlanta for two terms (2007-2011). The drink we accept is Hennessy. In Chicago, I know the drinks Orlu people accept is not Hennessy. Some groups accept Remy St. Martin VSOP. I don't know the drink ICAN members in Dallas accept. I am only going by what we accept in Atlanta.
 
But please note the peace overture can still be done without any drink. The drink is nothing but an icing on the cake.
 
Vin Cool Breeze Otuonye
 

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Date: Sat, 20 Jun 2015 12:14:07 -0400
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Subject: Re: An Open Letter to Dr. Toyin Falola, The Moderator - On This Dr. Ariyo Palaver. . .

Vin,

The Igbo in Dallas will reject the Hennessy, because that is not part of Igbo culture; but they will accept a bottle of Schnapps though it is a lot cheaper.  Please know your culture.  Thanks.

Chika Onyeani

-----Original Message-----
From: Vin Otuonye <vincent...@msn.com>
To: Michael Afolayan <mafo...@yahoo.com>; Toyin Falola <toyin...@austin.utexas.edu>; nigeriaenet <niger...@yahoo.com>; Nigerian World Forum <nigerianw...@yahoogroups.com>; World Igbo Forum <wic_...@yahoogroups.com>; Yoruba Affairs <yoruba...@googlegroups.com>; African Forum <africa...@yahoogroups.com>; Afis <odidi...@yahoo.com>; Odidere2012 <odide...@gmail.com>; Pius Adesanmi <piusad...@yahoo.com>; PE Jerome Niang Yakubu SE <jnia...@gmail.com>; Edo Global <edo_g...@yahoogroups.com>; Editor <edi...@saharareporters.com>; Omo Oodua <omo...@yahoogroups.com>; Yan Arewa <yana...@yahoogroups.com>; naijaevent <naija...@googlegroups.com>; Africa Today <africa...@gmail.com>; Bolaji Aluko <alu...@aol.com>; Ola Kassim <olaka...@aol.com>; Ishola Williams <isholaw...@yahoo.com>; Dr Kayode Olamijulo <samo...@yahoo.com>; Ayotade Ojutalayo <ayoo...@yahoo.com>; Ayo Olukotun <ayo_ol...@yahoo.com>; Tony Eluemunor <telue...@yahoo.com>; Dr. KC Asagwara <drkcas...@shaw.ca>; Ozodi Osuji <ozodi...@gmail.com>; Dr. KC Prince Asagwara <kcprince...@shaw.ca>; Irohin Oodua <oduai...@yahoo.com>; Dominic Ogbonna <enyi...@gmail.com>
Cc: africanworldforum <africanw...@googlegroups.com>; BeliefsAn...@yahoogroups.com <beliefsan...@yahoogroups.com>; edukoye <edu...@yahoo.com>; dakusobi <daku...@icloud.com>; talknigeria <talkn...@yahoogrouops.com>; omoodua <omo...@yahoogroup.com>; odua <od...@yahoogroups.com>; afroheritmag <afrohe...@aol.com>
Sent: Sat, Jun 20, 2015 8:48 am
Subject: RE: An Open Letter to Dr. Toyin Falola, The Moderator - On This Dr. Ariyo Palaver. . .

Mr. Afolayan:
 
Thanks for your words of wisdom. Honestly, it pained me that this issue is still lingering on. This issue could and should have been resolved long time ago. Let me state this upfront. Dr. Abraham Ariyo wronged Ndigbo. Though he may seem to have apologized, however, I don't believe there is any contriteness in his apology. I believe his apology is washy washy. It is the absence of real apology that this issue has lingered and is still with us.
 
The Yoruba and Ndigbo have build a strong partnership over these years. And we should not let Oba Rilwan Akiolu or Dr. Abraham Ariyo destroy this strong relationship we have built over the years. As an Igbo man that was born and bred in Lagos, I know what I am talking about. My dual heritage of Igbo and having comingled over the years with Yoruba place me in good position to understand the two groups. I think a one and one interaction, instead of engaging over the internet, is the best way to resolve this issue. With that in mind I propose the following:
 
1. I want Dr. Abraham Ariyo and another elder Yoruba (maybe Dr. Falola though I must confess I don't know them), together with about two or three of Dr. Ariyo's Igbo friends make a formal request through the President of ICAN (Igbo Community Association of Nigeria, Dallas, Texas) to address ICAN in one of their regularly scheduled meeting.
2. On the day of the meeting, Dr. Ariyo should have with him one bottle of liquor (Hennessy) with him as a token of peace overture that he came for forgiveness and peace.
3. Dr. Ariyo should hand the liquor to the eldest among his delegation (most likely Dr. Falola)
4. The eldest among the delegation should address ICAN first with Dr. Ariyo speaking last
5. All Dr. Ariyo need say is apologize. And his apology should be in this format: I am sorry for what I wrote. I am sorry for all those I may have hurt with what I wrote. I beg for your forgiveness. No washy washy about his computer being hacked and all that.
6. His Igbo friends that came with him will put in one or two good words for him. Am sure they know what to do.
 
Mr. Afoloyan, that is. That is what Dr. Ariyo needs to do. Why are we dragging this issue when it could have been resolved long time ago?
 
Vin Cool Breeze Otuonye
Ps: There are some egroups that my email may not get to because I am not subscribed to these groups. I will appreciate if you or others can send my email to these groups.
 

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Date: Sat, 20 Jun 2015 04:50:35 +0000
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Subject: An Open Letter to Dr. Toyin Falola, The Moderator - On This Dr. Ariyo Palaver. . .

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Posted by: Michael Afolayan <mafo...@yahoo.com>

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