Omoluabi and its Importance

Omoluabi’s exact translation is “a child begotten of the chief,” but it essentially means “a person of character (Gbadegesin).” Last week Dr. Segun Gbadegesin lectured about the connection between a good character, self-actualization, and communal responsibility. This lecture was packed full of information and Dr. Gbadegesin made some very insightful points. Some major themes of this lecture were academic knowledge, classical African antiquity, and Iwa, which means existence.

In order to have a good character you must, first, realize your full potential. Many scholars have said that Africans do not have a history and the truth is that history is the African. Africans are at the origin of civilization. According to Dr. Gbadegesin, it seems like Africans have no history because the white man wrote his books and then proceeded to leave the African out of them. But history occurred whether it is documented or not. Dr. Gbadegesin said, “History has to occur before you [can] write it down.” It is also said that “there is no black philosophy” and yet blacks have been thinking long before whites. “A thought has to happen before you [can] write it down,” according to Dr Gbadegesin. When western society us trying to belittle your African ancestry it is important to understand the truth so that your full potential is not undermined. The lecturer also stressed that there is a difference between a philosopher and an intellectual. An intellectual has knowledge but philosopher is wise. These differences are essential to note in the process of self-actualization. 

The Prophet Mohammad, Plato, and Moses all came after the Goddess Ma’at, the Vizier Ptahhotep and the Pharoah Rameses the Great. Dr. Gbadegesin said that learning and wisdom started in classical African antiquity. However, that is not what is taught in schools. To be honest this is the first time I am hearing about the Goddess Ma’at or the Vizier Ptahhotep. In my high school there was no African literature, the most we got was African American and that was all crammed into the short month of February.

Finally, Dr. Gbadegesin introduced the term Iwa, which means existence or character. He told us the story of Iwa and then how it related to each and every one of us. The good of existence is that my existence must have meaning for myself and others. I have a responsibility to myself and a responsibility to remake myself through good education; most importantly, I have the responsibility to serve my community through my education. (Gbadegesin) I plan to serve my hometown, Antigua and Barbuda, with the business education I gain from Howard and hopefully Antigua’s economy will be built back up.

There were many connections between Dr. Carr’s and Dr. Gbadegesin’s lectures; for example, they both spoke of the importance of a responsibility to education and a responsibility to knowing your African history. I really enjoyed both lectures and am excited to hear more.

Works Cited

Gbadegesin, Segun. “Omoluabi: Self-Actualization & Communal Responsibility.” Howard University, Washington D.C. 6 September 2011.