In a small Orunto village nestled in the rolling hills of rural Owu Kingdom Abeokuta, Onisegun Adisa had dedicated his life to serving the community. With a kind heart and skilled hands, he had become the go-to doctor for the villagers, who affectionately called him “Baba” (father).
One day, a severe drought hit the land, and the village’s crops began to wither away. The villagers, who relied heavily on agriculture, were devastated. Some blamed the gods, while others accused Onisegun Adisa of not doing enough to prevent the disaster.
A wealthy businessman, Ogbeni Oogbo, saw an opportunity to capitalize on the villagers’ desperation. He offered to build a state-of-the-art irrigation system, but at a steep price: the villagers would have to surrender their land ownership rights to him.
Onisegun Adisa was torn. On one hand, the irrigation system would undoubtedly bring relief to the parched land. On the other hand, he knew that the villagers would lose their autonomy and livelihoods.
As the Orunto villagers gathered to discuss Ogbeni Oogbo’s proposal, Onisegun Adisa stood up and shared a story. He told them about a young girl Abeni who had lost her parents in a tragic accident. The girl was left alone, struggling to survive.
Onisegun Adisa could have played God, deciding the girl’s fate without consulting anyone. Instead, he chose to be humane and compassionate. He rallied the community to come together and support the girl, providing her with food, shelter, and love.
The Orunto villagers were inspired by Onisegun Adisa’s story. They realised that they didn’t need to surrender their land rights to survive. Together, they found alternative solutions, such as sharing resources and expertise to revive their crops.
As the seasons passed, the village flourished once more. The villagers prospered, and Onisegun Adisa’s reputation as a wise and compassionate leader spread far and wide.
Abiodun Lasile, a young journalist, visited the Orunto village to learn from Onisegun Adisa’s experiences. As they sat under the shade of a baobab tree, Abiodun asked, “Baba, what’s the secret to your success?”
Onisegun Adisa smiled and said, “Don’t play God; be humane and be compassionate.” Abiodun Lasile DL MnbR etched these words into his heart, knowing that they would guide him in his own journey.
From that day forward, Abiodun carried Onisegun Adisa’s wisdom with him, sharing it with others and inspiring a new generation of leaders to prioritise empathy, kindness, and compassion.
`And so, the story of Onisegun Adisa and the Orunto village became a testament to the transformative power of humanity and compassion, reminding us all that true leadership begins with the heart.
