OMBOLUABI

Dr. Segun Gbadegesin's presentation was called OMOLUABI: Self Actualization and Communal Responsibility.Gbadegesin begins speaking about the significant Africans that became us, he specifically names The Goddess Ma’at, And Vizier Ptahhotep, and And Pharaoh Amenemope. He also names what became before the popular biblical texts, for example The Sharia, Kant’s Groundwork, and Mill’s Utilitarianism; he says prior to those texts Africans relied on The Principles of Maat, The Books of Instructions, The Pyramid Texts, and The Coffin Texts.

When Dr. Segun Gbadegesin began speaking of what we learned or gained from Ma’at, he says that the Eygptians practiced justice, truth and maintained balance and harmony. A few principles of Ma'at that stuck with me from this presentation were, "I have not closed my ears to truth, " "I have not been angry without reason," and lastly "I have not stolen from God." Important principles that people should follow in today's world, simply basic morals that all people should have.

Gbadegesin's presentation then flows into the instructions of Ptahhotep, which was the "Humanistic maxims for the living". The discussion of the Coffin texts date back to 2200-1800 BCE, and were "written for the tombs of nobles and contain themes of reward and punishment in the afterlife." Lastly the most important thing of this whole presentation was the word OMBOLUABI itself, meaning "Omo Olu Iwa Bi: a child begotten of the chief (or source) of iwa." "A person of character, disciplined, self-improving, thus earning the respect of peers and community on account of practical wisdom in putting knowledge acquired through education to the service of the community, and not shying away from personal sacrifices when needed."

Jahmonni Long