The people of Odo Eku as been in the mood of celebration all week since Tuesday, when the football team of the school, located in the village, which also happens to be the school I teach on per-time won a trophy 🏆 at the just concluded Interschool Principal Cup Competition for the Isin Local government area of Kwara state Nigeria, which mean they'll get to represent the entire LGA at the state level of the same competition later this year.
And immediately the news of the Victory reached the village, while we're still on the field (because the match was played on a neutral ground in another village), the King called our school principal, telling him how excited he's, that we the entire school staff are promoting the name of the village via sports, and to appreciate both we and the students, he'll be hosting us at his palace on Thursdays (that's yesterday).
Though we were the one to be hosted, but we were still saddled with the responsibility of planning the event, due to the fact that most of the villager are farmers and less educated, so we were the planning committee, but the King provided all the funds spent during the program, and I was a little surprised because, the monetary price that follows the trophy was just N150,000($360), and yet he spent over 200,000($480) to organise the program.
But then I remembered a Yoruba proverbs that says;
Orúkọ rere sàn ju wúrà àti fàdákà lọ Meaning Having a good name(reputation) is better than gold and silver.
And then I realized is understood the proverb, and knew we(the football team) have set the village name on the limelight for a good course.
So few of the things we set in Place to be use and shared were;
- Renting tent ⛺
- Renting chairs💺
- Purchasing a ram 🐏
- Buying waters
- Buying Raw Rice and Snacks to mention but few, and below is when the ram is been slatterd and cooking preparation process.
An announcement was made that all the football team should dress in their jerseys fully kitted, so they can all me recognise and celebrated by all villagers, of which they all did.
One of the Beautiful and remarkable thing the king did was that he gave each member of the football team N5000($12) each, but gave the captain of the team a sum of N10,000($24) for leading by example and leading his team to victory.
here is the captain potraiting before the king
Here is a picture of the captain all smile, after receiving is cash reward from the king
After the cash price was issued to all the team and coaches, the medals 🏅 and trophy 🏆 was reissued to the team in front of all villagers and everyone present at the event.
Then the king and his chiefs and other traditional rulers around post for a photography with the football team, after which parents and other villagers took turns to snap pictures with the football team and the trophy 🏆.
Before everything was brought to a close, the king gave a short speech, imploring all villagers and residents of the village to always do things that'll raise the flag of the village for good to the world at large like the football team did, he also charge the team to try and do their best in making the village proud when the tournament for the state level began, he rounded up by stating that people should desist from any evil act that might tarnished the image of the village.
After the speech, snacks was shared to everyone before we all departed to our various home.
We all had a great time at the palace, and I'll love to appreciate @dswigle for creating such an amazing Community #Marketfriday that as given us the privilege to share our market/cultural experience and also learn about other people's culture and tradition as relating to market.
Greetings from @vickoly
Return from Market Friday in Celebrations Galore with Traditional ruler's and Villagers. to vickoly's Web3 Blog
