Kunle Adelabu
The Chief Learning Officer, Kith & Kin Group of Schools, Asipa Kaoli Olatunji Olusanya, has revealed that the need to make his children and the younger generations learn about his life travails and betrothe important legacy, prompted him to publish an autobiographical book.
The autobiography, titled, ‘The Power of Purpose: Family, Faith and Education: Autobiography of Chief Kaoli Olatunji Olusanya’, which was conceived during his 60th birthday in 2012, was published and released in commemoration of Kaoli’s 70th birthday celebrated last year.
Kaoli, who was a former Commissioner for Agriculture, Lagos State, revealed this at the maiden edition of the ‘Reading Session’, organized by the Musediq Alogba E – Library & Research Centre, under the Ikorodu Division Resource Development Group (IDRDG).
Asipa Kaoli Olusanya, speaking at the session held at the Ikorodu Ultra – Modern Town Hall, Ikorodu, also said that he always remembered the words of his late mother who always charged him to read.
“I started taking particular interest in writing a book in 2012, when I turned 60 years old and while doing the celebration, I asked myself what am I celebrating? What legacy am I going to leave behind for my children and humanity? How will they (my children) learn from my travails; my journey of life? I started taking down notes. I read, recalled and took down notes. Although, not all that I wrote down made it into the book, but I noted down anything that occurred to me”, he revealed.
“Five years after, I looked at my diary and it occured to me that I have useful notes, so, I resolved to put them into a book. Today, I want to read to you, the words of my mum and her words are: “Ayinde, read your books”. You will find that on page 123. She said, “Read your books”, Asipa Kaoli emphasized.
While reading part of his book to students numbering more than 100 and other selected guests which included the former Commissioner for Physical Planning & Urban Development and Chairman, Musediq Alogba E – Library & Research Centre, Prince (Barr.) Rotimi Ogunleye, Tutor – General & Permanent Secretary, Education District II, Mrs Anike Adekanye, Executive Chairman, Lagos State Universal Basic Education Board (LSUBEB), Hon. Alawiye – King, Executive Secretary, Local Government Education Authority, Ikorodu Local Government, Alhaji Amusa Afolabi, Chairman, Ikorodu – Oga Development Association (IKODASS), Mr Rotimi Abiru and Mr Richard Mammah, President, Network of Book clubs and Reading Promoters in Nigeria, among others, Asipa Kaoli said:
“I started the chapter with a quotation which is anonymous and the quotation reads: “You will never have this day again, so make it count”. That is what I said about time. Anytime that you have wasted it, it is gone”.
While commending the Ikorodu Division Resource Development Group (IDRDG) and the Musediq Alogba Library, for the initiative, Asipa Kaoli also remembered and recalled the contributions of late Alhaji Musediq Alogba whom the library is named after, and thanked his family for sustaining his legacy.
He charged his audience and members of the public generally on the need to find purpose for their existence and pursue it to make impacts on humanity.
Specifically, the educationist asked students to avoid distraction by peer groups and social media gadgets.
“These are people that have left their authorities and legacies in the sand of time. When you come to this world, ask yourself what will people remember you for. Don’t just come and go without discovering your purpose in life – why are you created?”, he said.
“There is a purpose for why you are born. Find out why and pursue it relentlessly. You must find out what you can do and do your best. What you do and do best can only be discovered by you with the help of your teachers and encouragement from home. Always listen to instructions teachers and parents and do not give yourself to be influenced by your peers and avoid distractions
“There are too many distractions these days. When we were growing up, you could only communicate with your parents when you were in school far away, by sending telegrams or letters. But today, you call all the time and always on the smartphones which are a distraction. It would distract you from your purpose, because the resource that would advance your destiny is the same resource being wasted away in distraction”, he charged.
