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THE CITY OF ERUKU ON THE WORLD MAP ~BY JIDE J. OMOTINUGBON

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THE CITY OF ERUKU ON THE WORLD MAP
~BY JIDE J. OMOTINUGBON

Growing up in the City of Eruku in the sixties, (well, we call our town Eruku City) we knew of no other world beyond what life bestowed on us. We went to the stream to fetch waters and to swim. We went to the farm to cultivate the farmland. We hunted for rodents and crickets. We rolled the bicycle tires around. We rode the rented bikes. We participated in the local wrestling competition. And as times went by, we started going to school. I, as with most of my mates, did not start elementary (primary) school until the age of eight. We knew of no other world. As time passed, we began to realize that there were other worlds beyond the city of Eruku as evidenced by the commercial lorries bringing strangers in on market days to sell and buy things. The market days back then were held nine days interval. We saw new faces and new things. We began to realize that there were other things around the world beyond our town. While still in elementary school, we travelled to Koro and Oke-Opin for inter-house sports competitions including games of soccer and athletics. Those were the worlds we knew. The first time I had the “luxury” of going beyond the vicinity was my final year in elementary school when I travelled to Zaria en route Ilorin.
During the major festivals, we saw the whole town filled up with indigenes based outside the town. We heard stories of towns where they were, to make money. We heard of Ilorin, Zaria, Kaduna, Lagos, Ibadan and some other places. We heard stories of tapped water, electricity, tarred roads and other exotic things. We learned in social studies and later, in geography, the names and location of places on the map. Big towns within and outside the country but Eruku was never placed on any of those maps. We began to dream. We were wondering when and if ever our town would develop and be renowned. Just dreaming. No sooner, we had a secondary school built through communal efforts. That was in 1969. Students came from all over even people who did not speak Yoruba – all the way from Ebira-land and Igala-land which used to be part of the then Kwara State.
Dreams. Our dreams remained on what could we do to place the name of our town on the map. We read and studied some books. We listened to radio. Heard the names of some political leaders (mainly military.) We dreamt of joining the military when we grow up. Dreamt of reading law. Or become engineers. Do whatever it takes to get the name of our town on the map. It was slow. Painfully slow. Until now, it was like the town did not exist. Everything we have in the town was mainly through communal and church efforts: elementary schools, secondary schools, cottage hospitals etc. Whenever the government decides to intervene, it would put up some structures with no human to man them. We were, for example, once promised tapped water and a dam was to be built and before we knew what was happening, the bridge connecting our town to the next one, Koro, was blown off the river that was to be dammed! That created some enmity between us and our next-door township neighbor who thought the Eruku people did them bad.

We did not do really bad in terms of efforts at growing and developing our town. We are educated. We had scholars and professionals in every field of life. A few of them found their ways into government and governance which raised our hopes that, finally, our dreams were coming through. Not exactly. Because they still did not put the name of our town on the world map.
The most common trait of anyone born or raised at Eruku is resilience. The cognomen and clarion call of every Eruku born and bread is as follow:
Eruku Nain o! Eh O! (All true born of Eruku! Yes! We’re here!) Aru bain boo? (Are you scared?) Aru e b’eiye oko! (The bird is not scared of the wilderness!) Omo Eruku Mesi – (The true son of (Oyo) Mesi) Yi kee s’aru l’Oyo (Who is not a slave in Oyo) Omo Eruku ba ti woo ko l’are, ija mon rii da! (When anyone from Eruku tells you that an issue is no longer a joking matter, then the next step is to fight!)

Fast forward to the 21st century when street names and names of towns and individuals can be easily located through google and artificial intelligence. Every once in a while, when we type in the name of our town, a thing or two pops up. Now, it is more than that!

Tuesday, November 18, 2025 finally was the day that the name of Eruku made it to the world map. Not in the best way we have been hoping. If not for an innocuous livestreaming of the church program, showing people being herded including Mama Emiola, (Iye Ade whose residence is directly in front of our family house) the event of that day would have passed like any other and just adding to the statistics of the rampant kidnappings going on in the country. But not when Eruku was about to be put on the world map. It touched everyone’s nerves, nationally and internationally more so those of us who have family members among those that were kidnapped.

First, it was my spouse’s home church, the Christ Apostolic Church (CAC Oke Isegun) where her late mother was the choir’s matron. Everyone calls her Iye Akorin (choir’s matron.) Then her aunt (the one following Iye Akorin) was at the church service but released by the bandits after a short walk apparently due to old age. Then my niece, Titilayo Balogun (Nee Omotinugbon.) Then another niece’s son, Ebenezer Aina. Then Grace Moyeni Balogun, my spouse’s classmate in high school. Then, two Iyabo’s related to my spouse through marriage. Then ‘Molola my brother-In-law’s niece and her son. ‘Molola’s older sister was killed in an earlier attempt at abduction while coming from a wedding. At that time, ‘Molola was shot in the arm and was still recuperating from that dastardly event when she was kidnapped with the others right inside the church. There were two high school teachers among those that were kidnapped. I did not know all the thirty-eight now free abductees but I do know someone who knows someone who knows someone. Not to forget that three of the church attendees were killed and among those that were killed was the spouse to one of the abducted women who would only be learning of her spouse’s death on her release.

I am a psychotherapist listening almost on a daily basis to the traumatic experience of individuals. I have had patients whose stories cannot be retold anywhere because they were not believable. They are better imagined. And one of the freed abductees said as much in a TV interview when he said that their experiences were unimaginable. What gave me sleepless nights were how these victims would deal with the trauma. Is it the fear of going to church? The fear of hearing sounds that remotely sounds like a gun? Fear of being in a crowd or being alone and isolating? And we have not even heard their stories. The experience a seven-year old or a sixty-four-year-old went through. (The age-range of the abductees was seven to sixty-four.) And we are not even used to being in therapy in our environment. Sad.

I tried not to dwell into the politics but taking politics out of governance is like (as someone once remarked) taking mathematics out of physics. The only representative we have in government is the ward councilor! No board member of any parastatal. No commissioner. No adviser. No member of the state or federal assembly. In other words, we do not have anyone close enough to talk to those governing us. And yet, every election cycle, they seek for votes and the community is always divided about which of the major parties to support. Not until the incident, I have never heard of any visit made to the community by any top government official including the governor. Now, those of us not living in the community are advised not to come home due to “security reasons.”

And talking of security, why has it been difficult for the Nigerian government to devolve the security apparatus? How can someone from the Northern or Eastern part of the country be made the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of a remote town in Kwara State? How much is the remuneration of a police officer that would require him being transferred from Adamawa to Enugu? It does not make any sense. None whatsoever. What we know of in normal clime is county (local) police where those recruited into the force are from or reside in the areas where they are policing. They know the terrain. They know the people. Intelligence gathering would be easier. I have never heard of the Inspector General of Police in United States of America! Not even in Britain, our colonial lord. There are other security arms that could be federalized like the department of state security (DSS.)

I am really veering off. I hope the Kwara state government would be kind enough to give us, the people of Eruku, some hearing by putting one or two members of our community close enough to the process of governance so we will have the opportunity to whisper our demands to the government. At the expense of repeating ourselves, we have professionals across the board. We also have political gladiators that would fit in anywhere. Now that our beloved Eruku is now nostalgically on the world map, we are appealing that we be given the opportunity to have a sense of belonging.

 

THE CITY OF ERUKU ON THE WORLD MAP ~BY JIDE J. OMOTINUGBON

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Sahara weekly online is published by First Sahara weekly international. contact [email protected]

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Buratai Highlights Leadership, Community Support In Defeating Insurgency As Shettima, Defence Chiefs Rally Support For Counterterrorism Documentation At Book Launch

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3 hours ago

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May 21, 2026

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Buratai Highlights Leadership, Community Support In Defeating Insurgency As Shettima, Defence Chiefs Rally Support For Counterterrorism Documentation At Book Launch

Buratai Highlights Leadership, Community Support In Defeating Insurgency As Shettima, Defence Chiefs Rally Support For Counterterrorism Documentation At Book Launch

 

 

 

Prominent Nigerians including Vice President Kashim Shettima, Defence Minister Christopher Musa, senior military officers, and political leaders on Thursday underscored the importance of documentation, collective national responsibility, and sustained military professionalism in the fight against terrorism during the unveiling of a new book titled “Counterterrorism and Counterinsurgency Operations in North East Nigeria (Volumes 1 & 2)” authored by retired Major-General Ibrahim Yusuf.

 

Buratai Highlights Leadership, Community Support In Defeating Insurgency As Shettima, Defence Chiefs Rally Support For Counterterrorism Documentation At Book Launch

 

 

Representing Vice President Kashim Shettima, the Special Adviser on General Duties, Dr. Aliyu Modibbo, described the publication as a timely and strategic contribution to Nigeria’s national security discourse.

 

 

 

 

 

According to him, Nigeria’s experience with terrorism and insurgency in the North-East reflects not a nation defeated by insecurity, but the resilience and courage of citizens and security forces defending the country’s shared destiny.

 

 

 

 

He noted that the conflict in the North-East remained a deep human tragedy affecting communities with rich historical and cultural heritage, stressing that terrorism requires sustained vigilance, intelligence gathering, diplomacy, technology, and strong civil-military cooperation.

 

 

 

 

The Vice President further commended the author for documenting operational experiences and strategic lessons from the theatre of operations, saying such insights would prove invaluable to policymakers, scholars, and future military leaders.

He also reaffirmed the commitment of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration to strengthening the operational readiness, welfare, and dignity of members of the Armed Forces.

 

 

 

 

In his goodwill message, the Minister of Defence, Christopher Musa, praised the author as a respected mentor whose professionalism and leadership continued to inspire younger officers even after retirement.

 

 

 

 

“The lion may be retired, but he is certainly not tired,” he remarked.

 

 

 

Musa described the insurgency in the North-East as one of Nigeria’s most complex security challenges, noting that the asymmetric nature of the conflict means it cannot be won by military force alone.

 

 

According to him, victory against terrorism depends on collective national responsibility involving the Armed Forces, civil authorities, and citizens working together to deny insurgents support and legitimacy.

 

 

 

He also urged serving military officers to study the publication carefully, noting that it contains valuable operational lessons from years of counterinsurgency operations.

 

 

The Chief of Defence Staff, Olufemi Oluyede, described the two-volume publication as a major intellectual contribution bridging theory and practice in counterterrorism and counterinsurgency operations.

Oluyede commended the author for preserving decades of operational knowledge gained from commanding the 21 Brigade, 7 Division, and the Multinational Joint Task Force.

 

 

 

He stressed that modern security threats demand continuous learning, adaptation, and proper documentation of operational experiences, adding that the publication would serve as a useful resource for military practitioners, researchers, and policymakers.

 

 

 

 

Former Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai, also applauded the author for documenting operational experiences from the counterinsurgency campaign in the North-East.

 

 

 

 

Buratai stated that operational success in counterinsurgency warfare depends largely on the quality of commanders in the field and the ability of military leaders to adapt to complex realities.

 

 

 

He recalled the significance of operations such as Deep Punch I and Deep Punch II, as well as the critical role played by the Nigerian Air Force in degrading terrorist capabilities between 2015 and 2017.

 

 

 

According to him, resilient leadership and community support remain crucial elements in defeating insurgency.

 

 

 

Earlier, retired Major-General Ibrahim Yusuf said the publication represented the fulfilment of an eight-year intellectual ambition aimed at contributing to military scholarship and national security discourse.

He explained that the book was inspired by a desire to provide younger military officers and policymakers with first-hand insights into the successes and challenges of counterterrorism operations in Nigeria.

 

 

 

The retired general added that the publication drew from over a decade of operational experience in the North-East and the Lake Chad Basin while deliberately avoiding sensitive information capable of compromising ongoing operations.

He also urged retired military officers to document their operational experiences for future generations, stressing that such efforts are essential for institutional memory and national development.

 

 

 

Reviewing the publication, renowned scholar Eghosa Osaghae described the work as a landmark contribution to military scholarship.

 

 

 

Osaghae noted that the two volumes combine academic depth with practical operational experience, offering insights into intelligence-led operations, joint force coordination, psychological warfare, and post-conflict management.

 

 

 

He added that the publication effectively situates Nigeria’s counterinsurgency experience within the broader realities of modern asymmetric warfare and evolving global security threats.

 

 

 

The event attracted senior serving and retired military officers, heads of security agencies, members of the diplomatic corps, academics, and policymakers from across the country.

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Oduduwa Integrity Association Announces Adoption of Governor Ademola Adeleke as “Performing Governor” in the Southwest* 

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4 hours ago

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May 21, 2026

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Oduduwa Integrity Association Announces Adoption of Governor Ademola Adeleke as “Performing Governor” in the Southwest*  

 

*Osun State, Nigeria* – The Oduduwa Integrity Association, one of the prominent socio-cultural and advocacy groups in the Southwest region, has announced its decision to adopt and publicly recognize Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State as a performing governor in the Southwest.

 

According to the Association, the adoption is based on its independent monitoring of governance and project delivery across the region. The group stated that Governor Adeleke’s administration has demonstrated measurable progress in areas including infrastructure, workers’ welfare, education, and youth empowerment, which aligns with the association’s mandate to promote accountability and good governance.

 

“This adoption is our way of encouraging performance and responsible leadership,” Evang /Hon Omotoso Banji, the President and Founder of Oduduwa Integrity Association said. “We believe that recognizing leaders who are delivering on their mandate helps strengthen democratic values and motivates others to prioritize the people.”

 

The Association noted that its adoption does not imply political affiliation but is a non-partisan endorsement of what it describes as visible and verifiable governance outcomes within Osun State. It added that the move is part of its broader initiative to highlight and support public officials across the Southwest who meet its standards for transparency, service delivery, and integrity.

 

Governor Adeleke’s administration has been marked by policy focus on infrastructural renewal, payment of salary arrears, and investment in grassroots development since assuming office. The Oduduwa Integrity Association said it will continue to monitor and document these efforts as part of its civic oversight role.

 

The formal adoption ceremony and presentation of recognition materials are expected to be announced in the coming weeks.

 

The Oduduwa Integrity Association is a Southwest-based civil society and advocacy group committed to promoting good governance, transparency, and accountability across Yoruba-speaking states presided by Evang / Hon Omotoso Banji.The Association conducts independent assessments of public service delivery and engages in community enlightenment programs.

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AjilalaOso Day 2026: Women Union Make Donations To Hospital 

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6 hours ago

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May 21, 2026

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‎AjilalaOso Day 2026: Women Union Make Donations To Hospital 

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‎The women wing of the Ede Descendants Union has donated 42 bedsheets and 44 pillow cases to Cottage Hospital, Ede, in Osun State, as part of activities marking preparations for AjilalaOso Day 2026.

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‎The donation was aimed at supporting healthcare services at the hospital while also demonstrating the union’s commitment to community development and humanitarian service.

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‎Members of the union said the gesture formed part of efforts to give back to society and contribute meaningfully to the wellbeing of patients receiving treatment at the health facility.

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‎Speaking during the presentation, the leader of the women wing, Mrs Silifat Shittu, described the initiative as a reflection of the values of compassion, unity and service which AjilalaOso Day represents.

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‎She noted that the annual cultural celebration is not only about showcasing the rich heritage of Ede but also about promoting development-oriented projects capable of impacting lives positively.

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‎The group further urged individuals, organisations and stakeholders in Edeland to continue supporting community-based initiatives aimed at improving the welfare of residents.

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‎Speaking on behalf of the hospital management, the Chief Medical Officer, Dr Isiaka Alade, appreciated the women group for the donation, describing the items as timely and beneficial to patients and the hospital environment.

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‎Chairman of the AjilalaOso Day 2026 Planning Committee, Prince Adewale Laoye while addressing the gathering appealed to other well-meaning individuals and organisations to extend similar gestures to the hospital, noting that some roofing sections of the facility require urgent repairs.

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‎He also commended the women wing of the union for the initiative and support shown to Cottage Hospital.

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‎Prince Laoye, who spoke extensively on the objectives of the AjilalaOso festival, explained that the annual celebration would not only be about funfair and merriment but would also focus on touching the lives of the needy through impactful community projects.

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‎According to him,“We also want associations to have a project executed in Ede every year, such as what the women wing of EDU has done today.”

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