By Janet Adewuyi
I hail from a town named Asába in Osun State. You might wonder why I did not say from Delta State, since my town seems to have the same name as the Delta State capital. As a matter of fact, I know that the minds of many people will go to the Deltan city as soon as they see the topic of my story. Anyway, my own Asába is different, and the pronunciation too is different. Yorubas will understand better, because it is Asába – re-mi-re – while the other more popular city is Àsàbà – do-do-do.
My Asába is a small city in Odo Otin North Local Council Development Authority in Osun State, Nigeria. The traditional title of the king is the Alasaba of Asabaland, His Royal Majesty (HRM), …. The two major families in the city outside the Alasaba family is Osolo and Ojomu families.
The city started as a place where people seek refuge during wars; hence, the name ‘Asába’, which literally means ‘We run to hide’. Asába is a very friendly and accommodating community, and that is why it is difficult to differentiate between Oyan (a neighbouring community) and Asába.
Asaba is blessed with well-educated people. Although, there is no industry in the city, the citizens are hardworking as most of them are engaged in agriculture of various forms and as a matter of fact, in the South-West, they are known for potato plantation and the women produce cassava flour. The community has a market where they sell their farm products. This market was opened for use in the 2013.
Asába consists of all religious institutions. In the aspects of education, she has one government-established primary school named Community Primary School, Asába, while the only secondary school is shared with the neighbouring community (Asi). That is why the school is named Asi/Asába Community Grammar School.
Great Shalom University Preparatory College is a private school also located in Asába. This school was established by one Mr Desmond, an indigene of Benin, Edo State, who came to serve his fatherland as a member of the National Youths Service Corps and decided to stay back due to the love showered on him.
When it comes to social activities, Asába community has a festive period which brings all the citizens from every nook and cranny of the world back home. Different competitions which include football and quiz, all feature in the festival. The feast is called “Asába Day”. There is also one top class hotel in the city where most top politicians in the state come for relaxation.
I am glad to inform you that there are social amenities in my hometown such as: a good road, a health care centre, pipe borne water, regular electricity etc. In essence,Asába is a serene, conducive, friendly and accommodating community. Hence, I welcome you all to Asába, my humble hometown. Hope you will, one day, visit like Mr Desmond and I promise you won’t like to go!
