Apprenticeship | Igba-Odibo | Ịmụ Oru | Mentorship – April 3, 2022
How does Igba Odibo, the Igbo apprenticeship business model benefit society? What are the benefits to the mentor and the mentee? What protective mechanisms should be in place to prevent abuse of the apprentice? How does the business owner protect himself from a dishonest apprentice? How can such a wealth-building and empowering strategy be replicated in other areas of human endeavor? What does Mentorship mean within the Ezigbo Mmadu philosophy? This meeting focused on Igba Odibo. The lead discussant was Mr. Linus Chinedu Kingsley, the founder and chief technician of Linusoft Computers. He is an educationalist, an entrepreneur, and a geopolitical analyst, with a particular interest in African traditions and geopolitics. He agrees with Abraham Lincoln that the best way to predict the future is to create it. https://open.spotify.com/episode/5NwcPf135TjrX7RivA8z6p?si=685df7fb49374e2d
Onye Aghana Nwanne Ya | Being your brother’s keeper | Onye Agbata Obi | Neighborliness – March 6, 2022
Do not leave your sister or brother alone. Look out for each other. What does Onye Aghana Nwanne Ya mean within the Ezigbo Mmadu philosophy? Should an Omoluwabi be a good neighbor? What are the benefits of Onye Agbata Obi to health and well-being? What are the benefits to society? Does it really take a village to raise a child? Does neighborliness make one a nosey packer, busy body or gbeborun? If it doesn’t concern me, shouldn’t I just mind my business? Is it rude to offer unsolicited advice? How do you avoid being meddlesome? How do you manage the relationship with an overfamiliar neighbor? They say familiarity breeds contempt. How do you maintain your personal space? This meeting focused on Neighbourliness. The lead discussant was Dr. Elizabeth Eberechi Oyenusi {nee Egbeogu}. She is a Consultant Paediatrician at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital and holds an academic position at the University of Lagos. https://open.spotify.com/episode/1bs0JrDcSRkAn0hzH6StNi?si=5c9cdaea946b4ac8
Amamihe | Intelligence | Ọpọlọ Pipe | A Sound Mind – February 6, 2022
An Omoluwabi must demonstrate intelligence. Igbos say Amamihe; Yorubas call it Ọpọlọ Pipe. Is intelligence a social construct? Is book knowledge or literacy {Ọgụgụ Isi} a sufficient measure of intelligence? What does intelligence or a sound mind mean to an Ezigbo Mmadu? This meeting focused on intelligence. The lead discussant was Prof. Ken Amaechi {@kenamaeshi}. He is a Professor of Sustainable Finance and Governance, European University Institute {Florence, Italy} and Chair in Sustainable Business, University of Edinburgh, UK. https://open.spotify.com/episode/5ZHxz9o1Qoyip8NVRKaMc6?si=7d46105030df44bf
Ìmọ̀ – Knowledge, Ọgbọ́n -Wisdom, Òye – Understanding – January 9, 2022
How do these three differ? How important are they to an Omoluwabi? Is it better to acquire knowledge via first-hand experience or better to learn from others? Where does one find wisdom? When should one challenge conventional wisdom? Is the wisdom of the elderly outdated? What is the benefit of associating with more experienced people or mentors? How does one gain understanding? What is the difference between theoretical understanding and practical understanding of an issue? This meeting focused on Ìmọ̀, Ọgbọ́n & Òye. The lead discussant was Mr. Dámilọ́lá Fásọ̀ràntì {@FashDami}, the Chief Listener at Prikkle Academy, a writer, and a TED Talk speaker. https://open.spotify.com/episode/7wkp2pZiOybqGJFaidRXp9?si=489032885b074382
Iṣẹ́ & Òwò – Work & Business/Trade – December 5, 2021
An omoluwabi must be enterprising and productive. Be able to find something to do: a skill, talent or service. There is dignity in labour. Iṣẹ́ ni òògùn ìsé – Hard work is the cure for poverty. Omoluwabi a tepa mo ise – An Omoluwabi should be hardworking. The Rat Race. Making it in life. Working hard vs working smart. This meeting focused on Iṣẹ́ & Òwò. The lead discussant was Prof G.O.G. Awosanya, a professor of Radiology and a former Provost of the College of Medicine, Lagos State University. https://open.spotify.com/episode/6JwebsXa5pOZRR1Xrnv753?si=6fdf3ec3f38842a0
Akíkanjú – Bravery, Heroics, Having Courage – November 7, 2021
Is Akíkanjú the absence of fear? How does one become brave? Do the brave need to strategize or do they just depend on their strength? Making decisions, scenario planning, picking one’s battles. How does one become brave? What does Akikanju mean as an attribute of the Omoluwabi? This meetup focused on Akikanju. The lead discussant was Barrister Bayo Ayo {@bayoayo2} a legal practitioner who is an advocate of cultural renaissance as a catalyst for social development. https://open.spotify.com/episode/3G0ZTWdinweP0XoR82yRBD?si=911d54f4972d47c0
Ìwà – A man’s character is his fate {Heraclitus of Ephesus}. – October 3, 2021
Iwa may mean character, behavior, virtue or morality. Is Iwa inborn or acquired? Being or Becoming? What makes us who we are and how we behave? Nurture? Faith? None? Can Iwa be developed? Can the irreligious have Iwa? What does Iwa mean as an attribute of an Omoluwabi? This meetup focused on Iwa. The lead discussant was Mr. Ade Oyinloye {@hammdriller}, a Business Analyst and an IT consultant with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts – Trial Courts. https://open.spotify.com/episode/4S01hRNKn9ZrPrwQgSV1xH?si=b2501102958d45df
Òtítọ́ – The Truth – September 5, 2021
What is Òtítọ́? Absolute Truth or Relative Truth? Objective Truth, Subjective Truth or Personal Truth? What motivates you to be truthful? Is it easy? How do you resist the urge to lie your way out of a tricky situation? If you had no fear of divine retribution, would you still tell the truth? What does Otito as a trait of an Omoluwabi mean to you? What are the secular benefits of Otito? This meetup focused on Otito. Our lead discussant couldn’t attend the meeting, so Jide Ayeni {@jide_yeni} and I kept the conversation going with others. https://open.spotify.com/episode/4soRFjIzZbbYurITWJXMQR?si=ad756d0bdf594abd
Inú Rere – Goodwill or “Good Belle” – August 1, 2021
Do you assume the worst of others or give them the benefit of doubt? How do you handle the envious feeling that creeps in when your friend, peer or mate shares good news with you? How do you resist “Bad Belle”? How do you process negative thoughts? Is Inu Rere of mutual benefit? This meetup focused on Inu Rere. Our lead discussant was Jumoke Verissimo {@awapointe}, a renowned poet and writer. https://open.spotify.com/episode/5XN5uMGr5KoHnxtP8sJlbu?si=7e778d2fdcef4f68
Ìtẹríba – should it be a one-way street? – July 4, 2021
Some may see Iteriba as worship, and some may see it as respect. If seen as worship it should be reserved for one’s creator or king. If seen as respect, should it be a one-way street? Why should we relate with civility towards each other? How do the #SoroSoke and #OffTheMic generations view respect in the Yoruba culture? Is there a common ground? What are the pros and cons in the 21st century? This meetup focused on Iteriba. Our lead discussant was Emmanuel Ayodele Olowolagba {@GiweLohiwe}, an ebullient and exuberant-spirited young Nigerian writer. https://open.spotify.com/episode/2HXC4HzMBxBa2cFRvipq6l?si=58b1e7b95d7149df
Ọ̀rọ̀ Sísọ – Spoken Word – June 6, 2021
A Yoruba proverb says that words are like raw eggs {eyin}, ti o ba ti jabo s’ile, ko se e ko. Once they fall to the ground, like Humpty Dumpty, all the king’s horses and all the king’s men will not be able to put them together again. Therefore, one must be intentional with one’s words. This meetup focused on Oro Siso. Our lead discussant was Prof Gbenga Oduntan {@oduntan_gbenga}, a sociolegal scholar and international law expert at the University of Kent. https://open.spotify.com/episode/5seDLlLk5oUVj0xEiVlbZm?si=dfe657d685784ab3
The first Meetup on Exploring the Omoluwabi philosophy in the 21st century. – May 2, 2021
As they say, charity begins at home. Much appreciation to my husband, Femi and my sister-in-law Dr. Bimbo Olowoyeye for showing up at this first Meetup. Ẹ ṣé púpọ̀! Ẹ ṣé gidi ganni. In this podcast, they offer suggestions on how to get people’s perspectives on the attributes of an Omoluwabi and their relevance in day-to-day life. https://open.spotify.com/episode/7qeffKSjicB962xTu4CGWk?si=69819c9ba3b64ace
Religion, Cultural Identity and Society
This podcast was adapted and expanded from a presentation given at a conference in June 2021. It talks about why one shouldn’t be like the tortoise. Lol! https://open.spotify.com/episode/3IKDEbg78Ifg4blK9Y8FfV?si=21568ca7d4a94ef3