Little ‘Bible’ on Ondo State

The Ondo State Book of Facts is divided into fifteen chapters and each of the chapters is like a delicious meals well prepared and delivered for a wide range of audience, including, students, public servants, technocrats, politicians, traditional rulers, religious leaders, government officials, international community as well as scholars across all disciplines.

If we say this book is a research companion, we can be justified. If this book is described as a little bible on Ondo state, we are not far from saying the truth and if we call the book an indispensable resource material, we cannot be tagged as wrong, going by what I am about to unfold and reveal.

Beginning with general overview, the introductory chapter opens with a brief but insightful detail about the country where Ondo state is located on the global map. Here, we referring to know other country what the authored described as “the most populous black nation on earth” and “the most populous country in Africa”. This is Nigeria. With this book, I can assure you that you may likely rely less on Google to know basic facts about Nigeria. In a more comprehensive and compelling structure, backed by good references, the genesis of the name of Nigeria, location, topography, climate, early civilization, colonial history, population, system of government and many more are succinctly captured.

Chapter One and Chapter are holistically and exclusively devoted to the geographical features of Ondo state and history of Ondo state. I found the chronological arrangements of the history of different cities, town, villages and communities that made up of the entire Ondo state very illuminating and captivating. It is quite revealing to discover the roots of the people and places. For instance, page 58 made mentions of the roots of the people of Ilara-Mokin. We can also digest similar inspiring roots of places such as Igbara-Oke, Akure, Ondo, Owo, Akoko, Ikale, Ijaw, Apoi and others. Much of these facts are contained richly on page 32 across page 110.

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Chapter three takes us from page 111to page117 with general information on the creation, population, anthem, local government areas, and appellation of Ondo State, while chapters four, five and six are majorly on political issues since the creation of the State.

For the lovers of economy, you will find your interest adequately covered through pages in chapter seven. Still reflecting on the economy, briefly reading from page 169, I wish to quote:

“Ondo State has, at different times, been adjudged one of the best in terms of poverty eradication and transparency. In November 2022, the socio-economic success of the state was tested at both the national and global levels as Ondo state emerged as the state with the lowest poverty rate among the 36 states in Nigeria. The survey was carried out by the National Bureau of Statistics, National Social Safety Nets Coordinating Office, United Nations Development Programme, United Nations Children’d Fund and the Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative”.

 Chapter eight deals with educational institutions and statistical profile on education in Ondo state. The tourist attraction sites occupy chapter nine while chapter ten is on culture and social life, chapter eleven edifies our traditional rulers just as chapter twelve equally edifies Christianity and Islam. The traditional religion is not also left out.

Transportation, media and communication find their place of pride in chapter thirteen. Salient government and non-governmental institutions, the government ministries, departments and agencies, are extensively captured when we read chapter fourteen.

The last chapter, fifteen, makes me feel not ending the pleasant reading. This is because of the exposition of the Who-Is-Who that are clearly and comprehensively documented and illuminating.

The hallmark of academics is the continual strive to improve and add to knowledge. The search for knowledge entails addressing problems, attending to contemporary issues and suggesting potential solutions. According to John W. Creswell, adding to knowledge means that a scholar or writer undertakes work that would contribute to existing information about a particular subject matter

In my own assessment, Dr. Anthony Aladekomo has judiciously fulfilled the task envisaged by John. W. Creswell in a compelling way through the work “Ondo State Book of Facts.”, The two hundred and nineteen-four page-book decisively covered all areas of interest for any inquirer about Ondo state.

Barrister (Dr.) Aladekomo, in my perception, epitomized a humble personality with great scholastic mind. He portrays is a bridge between “town and gown”, between the legal profession and world of literary art. The Barrister is an easy-going personality and a well-focused university lecturer. “By their works, ye shall them…”, thus says the scriptures. By this work, “Ondo State Book of Facts” I invite you to know Dr. Anthony Aladekomo, a holder of Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of Ibadan, Barrister-at-Law from the Nigerian Law School, Master of Laws degree from the University of Lagos and Doctor of Philosophy in Law from the University of Ibadan, member of the Faculty of Law at the prestigious Elizade University, Ilara-Mokin, Nigeria.

No one is perfect. Only God holds the honour of perfection. So, this book may not be perfect, but there are no shortcomings that are significant enough to challenge or hinder the realization of the fulfilment of the purpose, aims and objectives of the book.

However, I will like to make the following recommendations for future purpose:

The author can add the “FOREWORD” section as part of the preliminary pages This may likely give the opportunity for a renowned figure or prominently informed elder stateman from Ondo State to comment objectively about the book to guide the reader’s perception. We often notice this in classic work as a kind of status conferral.

The illustrations, maps and photographs indicated in the book can be enhanced if they appear in colour rather than in black and white because we are in the digital age of colours. The essence of this suggestion is to add to the book aesthetics and attractions.

The introductory chapter can be an overview of what the reader should expect in delving into the full contents. I wish to suggest that the basic information about Nigeria may be taken as a sub-section of chapter one instead of occupying a whole part as main introduction.

On this note, I wish to unveil and present to the public, this interesting book of facts, TO THE Glory of God and benefit of humanity across Ondo State, Nigeria and world over. It is a useful companion worth recommending for pupils in all primary school, students in every secondary school and colleges in Ondo State. It is a material that must be in the public and private libraries, in every home and offices.

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