Opinion
“Oso Di Eme”: A Traditional Title Well Fitted
A few days ago, the wife of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, was conferred with the traditional title Oso Di Eme by the traditional rulers of Imo State.
The honour was bestowed during her one-day visit to the state, reportedly to commission some projects of the state governor, Senator Hope Uzodima.
It was a colourful ceremony, and the title given to her was, in its literal sense, quite fitting: Oso Di Eme—an ally of the husband, one who is in sync with him, a partner or collaborator in his endeavours.
It was equally a sight for sore eyes to watch Her Excellency, armed with her beautifully branded traditional hand fan, give some Ezes three traditional backhands and one front hand—the traditional salute said to be reserved exclusively for titled men. But then, politics has a way of rewriting traditions. A woman can suddenly become eligible for traditional roles once political expediency enters the room. That, however, is a conversation for another day.
Back to the title.
Perhaps no title could be more deserving of the First Lady than “Oso Di Eme”. To appreciate its significance, however, one must look beyond the personality of the recipient and examine the person whose name gives the title its meaning—her husband, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
After all, the essence of “Oso Di Eme” is not merely the personality of the person wearing the title. It speaks to her association with, solidarity with, and identification with the husband and his endeavours.
So, how has the husband fared?
What has been the public optics of his leadership? How are his character, temperament, ethics and values perceived?
What is his standing in the eyes of the people? What has been the international perception of his administration? And, most importantly, what has his leadership meant to the ordinary Nigerian struggling with the realities of everyday life?
It is from these questions that the deeper irony of “Oso Di Eme” emerges.
Congratulations, therefore, to Senator Remi Tinubu on becoming “Oso Di Eme”—the partner of a man whose administration, in the eyes of many Nigerians, has been associated with hardship, hunger, frustration, disillusionment and dissatisfaction.
To those who considered her worthy of a chieftaincy title and were particularly deliberate about the name bestowed upon her, perhaps you have done more than honour her.
You may have, albeit subtly, immortalised the pains and frustrations of the masses in a traditional title.
“Oso Di Eme”.
Sometimes, a title can honour its bearer.
At other times, the title itself becomes the commentary.
To all Nigerians I beckon you to fill in the blank spaces and tick the boxes of the title. The beauty of the title isn’t in its shortened form, rather in its full sentence.
“Oso Di Eme” in what —?
“Oso Di Eme” in what —?
Nigeria and Nigerians will see the light of deliverance, however flickering the light is, this administration won’t unalive anyone, in resilience and determination we would by God’ grace shout Uhuru soon.
Jarlath Opara
jarlathuche@gmail.com