The Story of How an African Chief Joseph Tolorunleke Omotowa Th Raised His Family in Late 20 Century Nigeria
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Joseph Tolorunleke Omotowa Foundation Silver Linings of an Incorruptible Legacy Silver Linings of a Native Legacy The Story of How an African Chief Joseph Tolorunleke Omotowa th Raised his Family in Late 20 Century Nigeria 1 | P a g e Joseph Tolorunleke Omotowa Foundation Silver Linings of an Incorruptible Legacy Introduction Memory of the lifetime of the late Chief Joseph Tolorunleke Omotowa (JTO) is immortalized this publication by his wife, Dr. Margaret Ebuntolu (MEO) and his children. The character and footprints of our parents in history have been a huge inspiration to us, their children. Indeed, we take pride in their life-time achievement. Within ten years of his death in 2003 we have become dispersed families that have settled in Africa, Europe and North America. It is conceivable that the combination of education and opportunity will only increase this trend. We recognize that history is best and most accurately written in the words of those who lived it. It is to this extent that we offer the content of this literature. Exodus 34:7 reminds us that “I keep my promise for thousands of generations and forgive evil and sin; but I will not fail to punish children and grandchildren to the third and fourth generation for the sins of their parents” Psalm 128 of the Christian Bible states: “Blessed are all who fear the LORD, who walk in obedience to him. You will eat the fruit of your labor; blessings and prosperity will be yours. Your wife will be like a fruitful vine within your house; your children will be like olive shoots around your table. Yes, this will be the blessing for the man who fears the LORD”. Deuteronomy 4 verse 9 of the Bible states: “Keep your soul diligently, lest you forget the things which your eyes have seen, and lest they depart from thy heart all the days of thy life: but teach them thy sons, and thy sons' sons”. Joel 1 verse 3 of the Bible states: ”Tell it to your children, and let your children tell it to their children, and their children to the next generation”. “We grew up with this idea that success is the more distance you can create between yourself and the pack. But it’s really about how much of the pack you can bring along”, said Ms. Yoon, a Korean immigrant to the USA in the New York Times of January 9, 2013. The Scripture in 1 Corinthians chapter 10 state that: “None of you should be looking out for your own interests, but for the interests of others (v.24); not thinking of your own good, but of the good of all, so that they might be saved (v. 33)” To this end, character development in the JTO family has focused on (i) public service; (ii) personal and community charity; (iii) Christian faith; and (iv) republicanism. Republicanism stresses liberty and unalienable rights as central values; avoids aristocracy and inherited political power; expects every individual to be independent in their performance of civic duties, , and vilifies corruption. JTO particularly excelled in all, kept together his monogamous marriage, and maintained the discipline of his children. The reader will note these qualities in our recollections of him, in this book. He had some other admirable qualities. We, his descendants, have elected to be guided by this character endowment in our legacy. We expect that God will lead us into the future, growing in wisdom and statue. We have determined to continually remember his work produced by faith, his labor prompted by love, and his endurance inspired by hope. 2 | P a g e Joseph Tolorunleke Omotowa Foundation Silver Linings of an Incorruptible Legacy The Joseph Tolorunleke Omotowa Foundation (JTOF) Since his burial in the front of his own house in Okoro-Gbede on May 10, 2003, his wife and children have continued to be guided by JTO ideals. We registered the Joseph Tolorunleke Omotowa Foundation (JTOF) with the Corporate Affairs Commission of Nigeria in 2006 as vehicle for promoting programs within JTO ideals in our community and country. We have established a framework for raising an endowment to fund the activities of the JTOF in the near future. The JTOF has maintained and updated the JTO grave site, his records, as well as his Estates at Okoro-Gbede, Ilorin, and elsewhere. In 2007, we commissioned an hour-long video documentary of the story and testimonials of JTO by his contemporaries and family members, to commemorate the 5th JTO memorial. JTO-MEO legacy is being published on the tenth memorial anniversary in 2013. Their GRA home was MEO’s primary residence since JTO death in 2003. The successful wedding program of our daughter/sister, Ms. Tinuke, at the G.R.A. home in 2008 was honored by attendance of our extended relations. During the first decade since JTO death MEO frequently traveled around the world to welcome the birth of each of their grandchildren. Their children and grandchildren have found God’s grace at our jobs and occupation; peace at our residences; and promotion in our careers. It is arguable that these blessings are providential results of JTOs labor in his lifetime. Guide to the Future While with us, JTO led us through singing a few notable hymns at every New Year cross- over services at home, including “Rock of Ages”; ‘’Oh God Our Help in Ages Past”; and “Abide with me”. We pray to God to be safely guided through the years ahead as we seek to develop the JTOF to keep alive the character endowment of our Legacy. Rock of Ages Oh God Our Help in Ages Past Augustus M. Toplady, 1775 Isaac Watts, 1674-1748 See Psalms 18:2 paraphrasing Psalm 90; See John 14:18 O God, our help in ages past, Rock of Ages, cleft for me, our hope for years to come, let me hide myself in thee; our shelter from the stormy blast, let the water and the blood, and our eternal home. from thy wounded side which flowed, be of sin the double cure; Under the shadow of thy throne, save from wrath and make me pure. still may we dwell secure; sufficient is thine arm alone, Not the labors of my hands and our defense is sure. can fulfill thy law's commands; could my zeal no respite know, Before the hills in order stood, could my tears forever flow, or earth received her frame, all for sin could not atone; from everlasting, thou art God, thou must save, and thou alone. to endless years the same. 3 | P a g e Joseph Tolorunleke Omotowa Foundation Silver Linings of an Incorruptible Legacy Nothing in my hand I bring, A thousand ages, in thy sight, simply to the cross I cling; are like an evening gone; naked, come to thee for dress; short as the watch that ends the night, helpless, look to thee for grace; before the rising sun. foul, I to the fountain fly; wash me, Savior, or I die. Time, like an ever rolling stream, bears all who breathe away; While I draw this fleeting breath, they fly forgotten, as a dream when mine eyes shall close in death, dies at the opening day. when I soar to worlds unknown, see thee on thy judgment throne, O God, our help in ages past, Rock of Ages, cleft for me, our hope for years to come; let me hide myself in thee. be thou our guide while life shall last, and our eternal home. Abide with me Henry F. Lyte, 1847, inspired by Luke 24:29 Abide with me; fast falls the eventide; The darkness deepens; Lord, with me abide; When other helpers fail and comforts flee, Help of the helpless, oh, abide with me. Swift to its close ebbs out life’s little day; Earth’s joys grow dim, its glories pass away; Change and decay in all around I see— O Thou who changest not, abide with me. I need Thy presence every passing hour; What but Thy grace can foil the tempter’s pow’r? Who, like Thyself, my guide and stay can be? Through cloud and sunshine, Lord, abide with me. I fear no foe, with Thee at hand to bless; Ills have no weight, and tears no bitterness; Where is death’s sting? Where, grave, thy victory? I triumph still, if Thou abide with me. Hold Thou Thy cross before my closing eyes; Shine through the gloom and point me to the skies; Heav’n’s morning breaks, and earth’s vain shadows flee; In life, in death, O Lord, abide with me. Apologies for Omissions There are people who would rightly have a significant place in the story of the late Chief Joseph Tolorunleke Omotowa (JTO), and were unfortunately left out of this documentary. We apologize for any such character omission. We have written stories that our memories recall clearly over a sixty years period, and have accurately reflected the life and time of the main character. 4 | P a g e Joseph Tolorunleke Omotowa Foundation Silver Linings of an Incorruptible Legacy Origins JTO (b. 23 July, 1935; d. 29 April, 2003), the patriarch of the JTO-MEO family, was the second child of late Chief Samuel Omotowa (Alaremu Okoro-Gbede; d. 88 yrs, 31 December, 1988) and late Mrs Naomi Omonare Omotowa (d. 90 yrs, February 1998). JTO’s parents were members of the Okafu clan of Okoro-Gbede, in Kogi State of Nigeria. Okoro-Gbede has a native population of about 8,000 people; with about 40 percent living elsewhere in Nigeria and abroad.