Today is December 16. It is the
birthday of a beautiful Olori and veteran journalist and Publisher. It is the
birthday of Olori Janet Afolabi. Below she reveals why she has not celebrated
her birthday before now.
"For the first time in my
life l am going to have a party and cut a cake. l had deliberately not
celebrated my birthday because of an experience.
It was my 16th birthday. I had
looked forward to it so much. In those days, it was believed that when a girl
is 16, she is hot. When she is 40, she is not. When she is 60, she is finished.
So, most girls wanted to celebrate their 16th,18th and 21st birthdays.
To celebrate mine, l organised a
parlour party, bought cabin biscuits and Fanta to entertain my friends. But it
was a big flop.
Unknown to me, there was another
party organised by the daughter of a very wealthy man. That was where all my
friends were. Both the invited and uninvited were there. They wanted to have
enough to eat, drink and enjoy solid groove.
I felt so disappointed. I felt
discriminated against because l was not " Omo Baba Olowo” (rich man's
child) l felt a pain that took a root that was difficult to uproot. Since then,
l lost interest in celebrating my birthday.
But today my interest is back. My
children are surprised...Kabiyesi ( my husband) is even more surprised.
"Why the sudden excitement about your birthday?” he asked.
I told him that it is my first birthday
in the Palace. Besides, when l reflect on how God brought me from my chequered
childhood to where l am today, l want to testify to God's goodness. But my words
are not enough.
I am therefore having a little
party. If l had invited my teenage friends, it is likely that many of
them will come.
But my guests are not adults. My
guests are indigent children. I want to welcome them the way they are. In turn
clothes, tattered slippers, or no shoes at all.
I want them to eat to their satisfaction, be happy, go home with good memories and perhaps be hopeful for a better tomorrow. I am also hopeful that the poverty of their presence is not enough to write off their future."
Olori Janet Afolabi is the Olori Oba of Apomuland
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