Contents Page

Yoruba Lesson 101 ….…………….. ……………………………………………………………… 1

Heart Health Awareness Corner …………..……………………………………………………….. 4

Special Nigerian Tribute to the Greatest …………………………………………………………… 5

Badiru’s Opinion Piece ……………………………………………………………………………. . 6

Finbarr’s Boys Are Here Again ……………………………………………………………………. 11

Bisi Adegbile on DC Delegation …………………………………………………………………… 10

Recently, a reader of this newsletter question why the newsletter is written in the English language rather than the Yoruba language

it purports to promote. The simple answer is that the premise of the newsletter is to reach a wider audience rather than just our inner

circle of Yoruba speakers. However, in response to the constructive suggestion, we will occasionally present some Yoruba-based

items for both fun and knowledge enhancement. The example presented below, the editor posed a fun question of interpreting three

Yoruba statements that have the same letter composition, but different intonation meanings.

O ko sile (as in she divorced him)

O ko sile (as in he writes it down)

O ko sile (as in he wrote it to home, e.g., writing a letter home)

A reader, Mr. Soji Wey (an ex-Finbarrian), provided the Yoruba signage to convey the different intonations for each

statement. The results are as follow:

Ó kọ̀ọ́ sí'lẹ̀ = She divorced him

Ó kọọ́ sí'lẹ̀ = He wrote it down

Ó kọọ́ sí'lé = He wrote to home

A novice (or outside) speaker will have to hear how an authentic speaker pronounces the different statements to fully

appreciate the subtle pronunciation and phonation differences with differing meanings and implications. Of course, even

within the different Yoruba tribes, there will be additional enunciation customization. But, for the purpose of this

newsletter, we hope you get the point. By the way, Mr. Soji Wey also suggested that we include the Yoruba signs on

Egbe’s name on the front page of the newsletter. Readers will be delighted to see Ẹgbẹ́ Ọmọ Yorùbá on the newsletter

cover page, henceforth. To buttress our commitment to the language, one of our Egbe members, Dr. Samuel Okunade,

recently offered a volunteer Saturday Yoruba lessons for those interested. The lessons went well and the students picked

up some key nuances of the rich language.

NEWSLETTER OF Ẹgbẹ́ Ọmọ Yorùbá

OF GREATER MIAMI VALLEY

VOICE OF YORUBA

June 2016

Vol. 7, No. 2

www.VoiceOfYoruba.org

VOY is published quarterly in March, June, September, and December

Yoruba Lesson 101

2

In the last issue, we presented a heart health awareness corner. To carry on the health awareness drive, this

issue presents a child’s development guide culled from the Ohio Family and Children First Initiative of the

Ohio Department of Health (www.ohiohelpmegrow.org). The information reprinted here was brought to the

club at the May 2016 monthly meeting by Dr. Bisi Adegbile.

Heart Health Awareness Corner

3

Continuing the wheel-format information, we present a wheel of cancer-fighting foods below.

This is useful for your ease of reference.

4

For information: info@yorubaarts.org; +44-707943054045; www.yorubaarts.org Note: This editor won’t mind at all if Egbe wants to send him to this festival for a cultural coverage.

Yoruba Cultural Outreach in London: July 16-17, 2016

5

Muhammad Ali’s Visit to Nigeria in 1964

Special Tribute to The Greatest

Muhammad Ali

(January 17, 1942 – June 3, 2016)

6

Reprinted from TheWill Newspaper (http://thewillnigeria.com/news/), June 5, 2016 http://thewillnigeria.com/news/opinion-a-voice-from-diaspora-on-nigerias-recovered-funds-a-citizens-world-systems-viewpoint/

“A Voice from Diaspora on Nigeria’s Recovered Funds:

A Citizen’s World Systems Viewpoint”

By Professor Deji Badiru

In spite of the sceptics and naysayers, there is much jubilation across the land (both in Nigeria and in

Diaspora) about the just-announced tabulation of the recovery of Nigeria’s looted funds.

The announcement is a good sign; first time in Nigeria for this sort of revelation. Even though the associated

names of the miscreants were not released, much to the chagrin of many people, what really matter are the

content, value, and utilization of the recovered funds.

Far from what some people in Nigeria think, most of us in diaspora are as connected to the events and

sufferings in Nigeria as those directly on the ground. It is a systems world, particular in the present day of fast

travel and instantaneous information interchanges. The direct connectivity to Nigeria is felt through travel,

depressing messages from relatives at home, and urgent transfers of assistive money internationally. So, the

diaspora feels the pains just like everyone else in Nigeria, even if not in direct physical terms. The emotional

and financial drains are just as affective. From a world systems viewpoint, what affects home affects the

diaspora too. So, it is in the best interest of everyone to embrace and applaud a positive change. The key, from

a project execution standpoint, is to sustain and enhance the change.

It is for the above reason that my own advocacy in this development is for the recovered funds to be put to

quick, direct, tangible, visible, and traceable uses. A lag in the utilization of the recovered funds will only

heighten the potential for a sinusoidal return to the evaporative coffers of the past.

Let us take heart and look forward to a better outlook for Nigeria’s economic and infrastructural profile in the

near future. For such a cherished outlook to materialize, the management of the recovered funds must be

approached from the platform of rigorous program management strategies devoid of political underpinnings.

Everyone must join hands to make this happen. Of course, those entrusted with handling the recovered funds

will have to take the lead in this movement. Act fast and resolutely, the clock is ticking. May the force of

Nigeria propel the collective efforts!

Opinion Piece

7

The popular songs of Saint Finbarr’s College, Akoka, Yaba, Lagos reverberated throughout Fermoy, Ireland

on February 28-29, 2016 when the Saint Finbarr’s College Old Boys Association (SFCOBA) and several

staunchly supportive spouses descended on the Irish town for a posthumous celebration of the 100th

Birthday

of Reverend Denis J. Slattery, the Founder and First Principal of the school.

It was a grand occasion, full of pomp and substance at various sites in the town. The most popular fighting

song of the school, “Finbarr’s Boys Are Here Again to Teach Them How to Play Soccer,” was the favorite of

the audience at each stop in the parade of the Old Boys. Our very own

editor (an Old Boy of Finbarr’s) and his wife attended the special

gathering. Saint Finbarr’s College is a special kind of High School in

Nigeria, known for its commitment to Academics, Discipline, and

Soccer Prowess. The tradition started by Rev. Father Slattery at the

school in 1956 can still be seen at the school today.

It was a dual celebration with simultaneous sessions that took place

both in Ireland and Nigeria on the same day. Professor Deji Badiru

gave the keynote address in Ireland while Mr. Segun Ajanlekoko gave

the keynote address in Nigeria. The text of Mr. Ajanlekoko’s address

is echoed verbatim on the following pages to highlight the importance

of the school and its worldwide intellectual tentacles.

“Finbarr’s Boys Are Here Again”

8

KEYNOTE ADDRESS BY MR. SEGUN AJANLEKOKO PAST PRESIDENT ST. FINBARR’S OLD BOYS

ASSOCIATION AT THE SYMPOSIUM ON THE LIFE AND TIME OF REV. FATHER D.J. SLATTERY TO MARK

HIS CENTENIAL BIRTHDAY ON MONDAY, FEBRUARY 29, 2016 AT ST. FINBARRS COLLEGE, AKOKA.

Dear All,

On this momentous occasion of the 100th

year celebration of our dear mentor, Rev. Father Dennis Joseph Slattery, I have come to

honour him and not to bury him.

For as we know, the process of dying here, is in itself nothing, But a continuation of a new life in the world beyond.

Today’s celebration is unique in many ways, firstly, this birthday occurs once in every four years; secondly, we are celebrating

without the celebrant, thirdly, it is been celebrated in the school that the Celebrant founded and fourthly, Rev, Fr, Slattery if he had

been around he would be a century old on this day. – An unprecedented in this day and age. And lastly, this celebration is

simultaneously taking place in the land of His birth in Fermoy, Ireland organized by the Old boys.

In preparing this speech, I was confronted and indeed consumed by the huge gigantic stature of this celebrant, who ironically is a

diminutive man but whose image and achievements loom much larger than his size.

Therefore, distinguished audience who is this Rev. Father D. J. Slattery? For the benefit of those who do not know him (both young

and old) but most particularly the present crop of young Finbarrians, I would quickly give a brief description of the man – A legend

even in death.

Rev. Father D. J. Slattery was born on 29th

February 1916 in Fermoy, Ireland into the family of Mr. Timothy Slattery and Kate

Slattery. His father was a master Tailor while His mother was a trained dressmaker. There were eight children in the family – Six

Boys and Two Girls.

He was ordained a Priest on the 17th

December 1939 – a few months before he attained the age of 24.

He first arrived in Nigeria via a ship after 30 days sailing from Liverpool on the 17th

June 1941. He began his pastoral duty at Ilawe-

Ekiti a sleepy town in now Ekiti State.

In 1956, the Arch Bishop Leo Taylor, a member of the Society for African Missions (SMA) invited Fr. Slattery to establish a

secondary school in Lagos after his stint at St. Gregory’s College. And so, on the 1st January 1956, St. Finbarr’s College was

founded as a Technical Grammar School in Akoka. Reverend Father retired as the principal of the school in 1975 and went into full

pastoral duties at St. Denis Catholic Church, Bariga, a church he founded as the Parish Priest before he finally retired as Vicar-

General of the Archdiocese of Lagos, where he has left his footprints in the sand of time.

Father Slattery as a missionary, educationist, journalist, technocrat, football administrator and mentor of men. Part of what Father

Slattery would be remembered for as his contribution to the development of Nigerian society include Chairman, Nigeria Football

Association (NFA), Member, Nigerian Guild of Editors, Chairman, Nigeria Referees Association, Chairman, Leper Colony of

Nigeria, Editor, Catholic Herald Newspaper, Foundation member Nigeria Union of Journalism and Secretary, Commonwealth Gates

Appeal Fund.

Other accolades include founder SS Peter and Paul, Somolu, Our Lady of Fatima Private School, Bariga, St. Joseph vocational

School, Akoka, St. Finbarr’s Catholic Church, Akoka, St. Gabriel Catholic Church and St. Flavis Catholic Church, Oworonshoki,

Lagos.

On this August occasion of the centennial celebration, what are the “TAKE AWAYS” for this gathering? What will Father Slattery

be saying to us on this kind of day? Having had the privilege of being around him for a while, particularly the later years after his

retirement from St. Finbarrs, I would summarized them as follows:-

(1) To the present students:-

9

He would have said to them adhere to the four commandments of St. Finbarrs. Actually there were “Four

Commandments”, not ten, strictly implemented to help maintain discipline. Any student violating these rules went down

the “corridor of no return” (i.e., explusion). This had become a catch phase in the school. These were the commandments:

1. Any student caught stealing will be expelled.

2. Any student caught copying at examination time will be expelled.

3. Any student leaving the compound during school hours without the Principal’s permission will be expelled.

4. Any student caught smoking or with drugs will be expelled.

In addition he would have said to the student they must work hard to attain success in their examinations. And you

must be disciplined.

(ll) To the Teachers, he would have said that they must be punctual, diligent, and not be lazy. They must engage in further

studies to enhance their performance!!!

(iii) To the young Finbarrians entering into a career, he would offer the following advice for building a successful career:

(a) Know who you are and what you want to be.

(b) Fan your urge to know more.

(c) Know your strength and work hard on your weakness.

(d) Be adaptable

(e) Build Networks

(f) Find a mentor

(iv) To ALL he would preach the virtues of integrity, honour and value system, noble deeds and above all he would expound on

the key teachings of Jesus viz:

(i) Be God fearing

(ii) Love of your neighbour

(iii) Do good

(iv) Observe the Law of sowing and reaping – you sow good you reap good

(v) Eternal life – know there is Paradise

He would have continued to be a Crusader for the fundamental human rights. He would have continued to be a seer and

foretell the future! Hear him:- In his book “My Life Story” Published in 1996. During which time school were still

owned by Government, He said in the Post Script “It is sad to note that our schools today in comparison to what they were

before the government decided to take over, (no matter the consequences), have grossly fallen beyond all imaginations. But

all hope is not lost, for Nigerians are intelligent people who deserve and cherish good education. Therefore, the fight to

restore the quality of good education for national development must continue. Education is light”.

Distinguished Conquerors; I have presented to you the quintessential human being, our mentor, our father and the founder

of St. Finbarrs College – Rev. Father Denis Joseph Slattery.

Let us learn from his eventful life!!!

Happy Birthday Fr, Slattery!!!

Continue to tread the path of the righteous.

I thank you all for your attention.

God Bless You.

SEGUN AJANLEKOKO

PAST PRESIDENT ST. FINBARRS COLLEGE OLD BOYS ASSOCIATION (SFCOBA)

10

The co-Founder and active member of Egbe Omo Yoruba, Dr. Bisi Adegbile, was a member of an Ohio

Delegation to Washington, DC for meetings at the White House and Congressional Offices. The photo journal

below provides a brief chronicle of the visit to the congressional office of Ohio Senator Sherrod Brown on

June 29, 2016. Kudos for a great outreach and public representation!

Dr. Bisi Adegbile on Ohio Delegation to the

Nation’s Capital

11

HAPPY BIRTHDAY to members with recent and forthcoming birthdays.

Egbe’s Birthday Congratulations in Advance or in Arrears.

Recent & Forthcoming Birthdays

April:

Alice Okunade, April 6

Rosalind Osinubi, April 14

May:

Christiana Okunade, May 5

Gabriel Okunade, May 10

Bisi Adegbile, May 18

Joan Apapa, May 29

June:

Gloria Iselaiye, June 13

Temitayo Osinubi, June 15

Samuel Okunade, June 22

Julius Fadare, June 28

Yomi Omilakin, June 29

July:

Ayo Ogunduyile, July 7

Tunde Oriowo, July 7

Hazel Ogunduyile, July 7

Daniel Iselaiye, July 17

Remi Oriowo, July 20

Funso Oluyitan, July 25

August:

Augustine Olu Agbebi, August 2

Genecia Oladele, August 2

Pauline Fadeyi, August 8

Gabriel Omolewu, August 15

Abigail Odunsi, August 20

Yakub Oladele, August 27

Morakinyo Kuti, August 31

September:

Taju Bakare, September 1

Deji Badiru, September 2

Dotun Sobande, September 4

Wole Okunade, September 12

Tokunbo Awoshakin, September 24

12

“Blessings of a Father” and other books for home, work, and leisure by ABICS Publications are available on www.amazon.com.

Blessings of a Reverend Father

are Blessings that Keep On Giving

13

When the Summer Rains, Winds, and Shines “Shoo” Your Trees, Who You Gonna Call? Of course, not Ghost Busters.

Call F&F Tree Service for your Tree Services.

When a Crack and Tooth Fairy fetch your tooth? Who You Gonna

Call? Of course, not the Ditch Digger. Call Dr. Apapa!

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14

President: Dr. Bamidele Apapa Vice President: Mr. Theo Adegboruwa

Secretary: Mrs. Iswat Badiru Treasurer: Mrs. Elizabeth Adegbile

Social Secretary: Mrs. Ronke Odunsi Communications: Prof. Deji Badiru

Parliamentarian: Dr. Bisi Adegbile Webmaster: Mrs. Iswat Badiru

Donate to Advance Egbe

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The Egbe Omo Yoruba of Greater Miami Valley, P. O. Box 148, Wilberforce, OH 45384

To VOY readers,

2013/2014 Officers of Egbe Omo Yoruba