Omo Oba Adekunle Ajayi Raises Concern Over Culture of Undermining Visionaries in Ijesaland
Why do people who devote their time, resources and energy to community development sometimes face resistance from the very people they seek to serve? In this thought-provoking opinion piece, Omo Oba Adekunle Ajayi draws from his experience as an initiator of the Ijesa Youth Forum to examine the consequences of internal rivalry, personal disagreements and the failure to acknowledge the contributions of those who lay the foundations for collective progress.
He challenges Ijesaland to rethink its attitude towards visionary leadership, institutional development and community service, while stressing that constructive criticism and accountability should strengthen initiatives rather than destroy them. He also calls for greater unity and collective support for development efforts, including those aimed at advancing the interests of Ijesaland.
Read his compelling reflection on why a people must learn to support their builders, preserve the legacies of their pioneers and place the future of Ijesaland above personal rivalries.
A society begins to weaken when it treats its builders as threats. The people who imagine new possibilities, challenge complacency, and invest their time, energy, and resources in the common good should be encouraged—but too often they are met with suspicion, criticism, backbiting, character assassination, and deliberate obstruction. In undermining those who dare to build, we do more than injure individuals; we sabotage the progress we claim to desire.
The central question, therefore, is not simply *why visionaries face resistance, but this: Why do we so often become the greatest obstacle to the progress of our own people—and what will it take to build a culture that supports, rather than destroys, those who serve the common good?*
Every meaningful achievement begins with an idea. Before an initiative becomes an institution, a movement gains acceptance, or a community experiences transformation, someone must imagine what is possible and take the first step. Such individuals often begin with little support, facing uncertainty, resistance, and the challenge of convincing others that their vision is worth pursuing.
Yet, when those ideas become reality, the people who should celebrate them may focus instead on the individual behind them. They question the founder's motives, diminish the originator, or treat the entire effort as disposable because of disagreements with its initiator.
This is a dangerous culture that no progressive society should tolerate.
*MY EXPERIENCE WITH THE IJESA YOUTH FORUM*
My experience with the Ijesa Youth Forum has shown me how painful it can be when genuine efforts are disregarded by those who should recognise their value.
As an initiator of the Forum, I invested my thoughts, time, aspirations, and commitment in creating a platform for youth engagement, collective responsibility, and the development of Ijesaland. The vision was never about one individual's interest; it was intended to serve a greater cause.
It is therefore disappointing when the sacrifices behind an initiative are forgotten, personal disagreements overshadow its objectives, and something built with commitment becomes a source of division or rivalry.
Nevertheless, this experience has reinforced an important lesson: *the value of an idea is not determined by how its originator is treated, but by the positive impact it can ultimately make on society.*
Recognition may be withheld and contributions overlooked, but neither should erase the importance of the original vision. My concern is not merely personal recognition; it is the culture we are creating for the younger generation. If those who build institutions are discouraged or undermined, who will be willing to take the next step? If every promising idea becomes an opportunity for conflict, how can our communities develop the institutions and leadership required for lasting progress?
*THE IJESA QUESTION: WHY MUST WE PULL DOWN OUR OWN?*
Ijesaland is blessed with talent, intellectual capacity, entrepreneurial spirit, cultural heritage, and historical significance. Yet we must honestly examine the attitudes that prevent us from realising our collective potential.
Have we created an environment where innovative minds are encouraged rather than intimidated, where development initiatives receive support rather than hostility, and where criticism improves ideas instead of destroying relationships?
Disagreement is natural in every organisation. No founder, leader, or initiative should be beyond scrutiny. However, constructive criticism differs from destructive hostility; accountability differs from deliberate undermining; and offering an alternative vision differs from destroying an existing initiative simply because one did not originate it.
A society that cannot distinguish between these things risks sacrificing progress to personal interests.
*We cannot demand development while discouraging those willing to initiate it. We cannot pray for visionary leadership while treating visionaries as rivals. And we cannot expect institutions to endure if personal disagreements destroy their foundations.*
If we truly desire a better Ijesaland, we must separate the value of an idea from our feelings about its originator. An initiative should not become worthless because its founder has fallen out of favour, nor should a founder's contributions be erased when others later assume positions of influence.
*Healthy organisations recognise their history, respect their foundations, encourage new leadership, and allow their achievements to grow beyond their founders.*
That is the standard we should aspire to.
*ASIWAJU OF IJESALAND AND THE RESPONSIBILITY OF COLLECTIVE SUPPORT*
The same reflection applies to the broader efforts being made to reposition Ijesaland and strengthen its visibility, relevance, and developmental prospects within Nigeria and the international community.
The development of a people requires vision, leadership, collaboration, and sustained commitment. When individuals advance initiatives for their homeland, the community should examine them objectively, offer constructive contributions, and support whatever serves the common good.
In this regard, the efforts of the Asiwaju of Ijesaland to advance the interests and development of Ijesaland remind us of the importance of collective responsibility.
No individual can single-handedly develop a society. Even the most ambitious vision requires the participation and goodwill of the people it is intended to benefit.
Therefore, if we seek to restore Ijesaland's prominence, expand its opportunities, attract development, and strengthen its recognition across Nigeria and beyond, our contribution should be guided by commitment to the land rather than personal rivalry.
Where there are disagreements, let them be addressed through respectful dialogue. Where there are shortcomings, let them be identified with evidence and constructive recommendations. Where there are opportunities for improvement, let us contribute ideas that move the process forward.
We must not allow internal divisions or personal grievances to overshadow the larger interests of Ijesaland.
*The progress of Ijesaland must be bigger than any individual's ego, greater than any personal disagreement, and more enduring than the rivalries of any generation.*
Supporting development does not mean abandoning accountability. It means ensuring that accountability serves improvement rather than hostility.
*A CALL FOR A CHANGE OF ATTITUDE*
The time has come to reconsider how we treat those who create, innovate, and build for society's benefit.
We must cultivate a culture in which good ideas receive fair consideration, genuine efforts are acknowledged, and criticism is constructive.
If an initiative benefits the community, our first responsibility should be to ask how it can be improved, sustained, and expanded.
Mistakes should be addressed fairly, while new leadership should build on existing foundations rather than erase the past.
No individual owns the future of Ijesaland, but no one should be denied recognition for legitimate contributions.
We should teach our youths that leadership involves conceiving ideas, pursuing them with discipline, accepting criticism, and building institutions that outlive their founders.
The true test of a progressive community is not merely the number of prominent individuals it produces, but their ability to work together despite differences.
*MY FINAL REFLECTION*
I have learned that initiating an idea is one challenge, bringing it to life is another, and ensuring that it survives the attitudes of those who should sustain it can be an even greater struggle.
Still, destructive attitudes should not make us abandon innovation or service. Instead, we must strengthen our institutions, preserve our values, encourage accountability, and refuse to let disappointment destroy our commitment to the collective good.
My experience with the Ijesa Youth Forum reminds me that a society must recognise not only those who occupy leadership positions today, but also those whose ideas and sacrifices created opportunities for others.
*Progress rarely begins with everyone in agreement. Often, it begins with one person who sees a possibility where others see nothing and remains committed when the path becomes difficult. Such individuals deserve neither unquestioning praise nor immunity from criticism, but fairness, honest engagement, and assessment based on merit.*
To my fellow Ijesa sons and daughters, I appeal to you: *let us stop treating one another's initiatives as threats.* Let us rise above personal differences, build upon one another's efforts, and create a legacy future generations will be proud to inherit.
The question is not whether we will disagree. We will. The real question is whether we can rise above those disagreements to build the Ijesaland we all desire.
*A people who destroy their builders may eventually discover that they have weakened their own future.*
*A people who encourage innovation, respect genuine contributions, and unite around the common good will stand a better chance of achieving lasting progress.*
*Let Ijesaland be remembered not as a place where visionaries are frustrated by their own people, but as a land where ideas are nurtured, initiative is respected, institutions are strengthened, and collective progress takes precedence over rivalry.*
Our heritage deserves it.
Our youths deserve it.
Our unborn children deserve it.
And Ijesaland deserves nothing less than our collective commitment to building a better future.
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