The Araba of Osogbo, Ifayemi Elebuibon never stepped a classroom even when the Obafemi Awolowo-led Western Region Government implemented the universal free education, the policy that offered all children of school age seats in classroom.
The little Elebuibon was practically banned from associating with his peers who were attending Awolowo schools. When he violated this unwritten rule by standing, watching an evening lesson and answering a difficult question asked a pupil by the pupil’s father, he paid dearly for it.
His guardian, late Ifaniyi Agbongbon, his late father’s bossom friend, under whom he was an Ifa apprentice, subjected him to corporal punishment and warned him never to move or be sighted near that lesson class.
However, today, Elebuibon is author of about 10 books; he speaks and writes English language as though he passed through a college.
Some of his published books include:
Apetebi: wife of Orunmila; Healing Power of Sacrifice; Iyere: Poetry Voice of Ifa; Healing Power of Prayer; Ifa: Custodian of destiny
Elerii ipin; Ogota ewi Ogota Ajodun Orikadun, Iriinajo eda, Osundagbonu: Soul journey of a Priest, Ogun: The Pathfinder.
How long did each book he wrote took him to complete and push to the press? He offers an explanation in his simple English: “Sometimes, I could be fast on it; sometimes, I could be slow. It depends majorly on situation, particularly my schedule. If my schedule is tight and I have a book I am writing, it put me under pressure. I will need to find a way to balance it.
Like many other authors who run away from busy environment while studying and writing, Elebuibon also says to write, he needs a serene place where he would not suffer any distraction.
“I find myself a silent enviroment where nothing will distract my attention. I understand that writing involves 100 percent concentration,” he explains, adding, “Sometimes, at early in the morning after I wake up. Sometime, late in the night before I go to bed.”
Is it convinient for him to write because of his background or he struggles to knit those words together? He says,” My experience is that visitors coming for spiritual consultations do distrub my writings.”
Elebuibon has over the years produced plays on television and homevideo. Does he write his scripts himself? “At first, I didn’t write scripts of my plays but later I put them into writing,” he reveals.
Finally, he bears his mind on what books symbolise to him. He affirms, “Books mean a lot to me because it is the house where knowledge domiciles. Books open your eyes to knowledge and helps you to learn and acquire knowledge.
“Unfortunately, reading culture is no longer here. Our youths prefer to be on social media and do all sorts of things that are dangerous to development. And this trend is not good for the society.”
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