Just got to know of the very transition to glory of Chief Agbo Areo at the age of 83.
Instantly my memory flashed back to Jss 1 at Parker College, Oba Ile.
Mother’s choice was our first literature text for the term and I read the whole novel long before the term ended.
Agbo Areo was able to convey a very powerful message of over interference in a young child’s life by the mom who erroneously thought she was aiming for the very best for Ade Ogidi Jnr.
A reluctant father grudgingly sent the boy to school abroad at an age he wasn’t prepared for it at all.
Ade got abroad and mixed with Kam and co and eventually got inculcated in bad habits and would eventually end up having mental problems which his dad would rightly blame the mom of being indirectly responsible for as Ade was exposed far beyond home influence.
Mother’s choice was the only work of Chief Agbo Areo that I read but it left a very powerful impression on me.
Amongst several literary works by various authors….I was able to know of societial pressures not having the child’s freedom to choose in mind, Negative consequences of bad friendships and wrong associations, And why one must be mentally and emotionally prepared to embark on life changing steps.
I am paying tribute to the memory of Chief Agbo Areo as I fondly remember him after just hearing of his death which happened three weeks ago.
Chief Areo was a distinguished and distinctive writer who I learnt kept writing till he answered that call everyone would answer one day.
I would get a catalogue of all his works and go through them and keep for my children for them to read about classical literature.
I’m very positive that mother’s choice for example would still be a relevant message for the unborn generation.
That’s the powerful gift of literature and Agbo Areo repped well and has taken a bow.
Young and aspiring writers can be inspired to think on what impact they would love to make with their own contributions.
All of us should determine to use our gifts to make those coming after us be better version of themselves.
My thoughts and prayers are with the family, friends and associates of late Chief Areo.
May his contributions never fade.
And may he live on in our minds and may literature continue to inspire and motivate and thrive.
