A review of GHS Emmanuel and Akindeji Olorunyolemi’s book, From the Rising to the Shining of the Sun.
The book, From the Rising to the Shining of the Sun, focuses on Ondo State, a state in the South Western part of Nigeria.
The book, authored by GHS Emmanuel and Akindeji Olorunyolemi, simply contains what everyone needs to know about the state, particularly from its creation in 1976 till date.
In his Foreword, Professor Jacob Olupona of the Harvard University, USA, admits that the state has blazed a trail in many areas of community life, particularly in education, healthcare and agriculture, “and long before Nigeria discovered oil – a discovery many now regard more problematic than beneficial – the nation depended on agriculture and agroforestry, particularly cocoa, a mono-crop system severely dependent on European markets, benefited Ondo State socio-economic growth.
“Despite post-Independence market control, however, Ondo’s resources contributed significantly to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product.”
The don also highlights that the state has produced notable individuals from all walks of life in the areas of medicine, academic, civil service, politics, among others while saluting the authors’ in-depth research in unearthing important information about individuals who have shaped the modern day state.
The authors also delve deeper into Yoruba history, where it is revealed that more traditional rulers in the state can claim to the lineage of the Oduduwa throne.
The 19-chapter book starts with the Berlin, Germany parley and the making of the Nigerian nation, where European colonialists gathered in 1884 and 1885, to carve up Africa in a bid to extend their trading and influence.
This chapter also dwells on how the British took over Nigeria by merging the Northern and Southern protectorates, as well as how Ondo is made a province in the Western region, with the others being Ijebu, Benin, Abeokuta, Oyo and Warri.
The second chapter focuses on the indigenes’ quest for a statehood, and one of the reasons adduced by the citizens for wanting their own state is the development taking place across the Western region, which is believed to have been financed with the funds generated from Ondo.
A good example is the 23-storey ‘Cocoa House’ building located in Ibadan, despite being the widely-held belief that it was bankrolled majorly from government’s windfall from cocoa trade.
However, on February 3, 1976, the then Head of State, General Murtala Mohammed, listed Ondo as one of the 19 states created in the country, with Squadron Leader David Ikpeme appointed as the first military administrator of the state.
Subsequent chapters delve into the developmental processes of the state, as well as its political structure, which is, the executive, legislature, judiciary and traditional institutions.
The book also displays the portraits of those who have contributed in no small measures to the level the state is at the moment, and according to the writer of the Foreword, Professor Olupona, the book, From the Rising to the Shining of the Sun, is an encyclopedia on the state.
He, however, believes that the book is to be considered as the first edition of an Ondo State dictionary, as it will require periodic revision to accommodate events and personalities left out in the current edition.
The book, which represents an encyclopedia of knowledge covering a wide range of topics, also comprises a significant reference that young scholars can consult to begin any aspect of research on Ondo State.
and then