‘A O M’ERIN J’OBA” is a folkloric song which means; “WE SHALL CROWN THE ELEPHANT” and it is always followed with the chorus of; “EWEKU EWELE” which is a percussion lyric without any specific meaning.
The African folklore in Yoruba land that gave birth to this folk song emanated during the supremacy tussle between the Lion and the Elephant. The Elephant refused to accept the fact that the Lion was the King of the jungle. In this vein, he threw a challenge to the Lion and defeated the Lion aftermath. Out of shame, the Lion left the jungle and hid in the cave.
The Elephant knowing fully that he was now the strongest animal in the jungle started a terrible oppression against other animals and this did not augur well with them.
At this period, the tortoise approached the Lion in its hiding place and narrated the ill-treatment of Elephant in the jungle and told him his plan to get the Elephant killed. He only asked for a favour that if this mission is accomplished, the Lion should promise never to touch him and his siblings forever on earth. The deal was done and the tortoise left the Lion for his mission.
Tortoise approached the Elephant and said; “Your Majesty, all animals are making a mockery of you, that you lack the qualities bestowed on the Lion when he was the king of the jungle”. He told him to possess these qualities, he must be crowned as a king and sit on a throne. The Elephant blinded by power agreed immediately to the tortoise’s advice and ordered that in 7 days he should be crowned as the king of the jungle.
Before the 7 day ceremony, tortoise and other animals in the jungle dug a very big pit and covered it with a lot of mats and put a royal stool in the middle of the covered pit.
On the 7th day, the Elephant dressed in a majestic royal robe with the tortoise and other animals behind him, drumming and chanting;
“A O M’ERIN J’OBA”
Chorus: “EWEKU EWELE” …………………
Immediately the elephant stepped on the mat, he fell into the pit and all the animals started throwing all sort of offensive objects at him until he eventually died.
The Lion was later crowned and till date, he is still the King of the Jungle.
As the ELECTION is approaching, be vigilant to detect the Sycophants and Hypocrites around you that might sing to your hearings; A O M’ERIN J’OBA, EWEKU EWELE.
If you are a leader in a new office, be vigilant and watch the first set of people that will approach and give you all sorts of advice. It is always for their selfish interests rather remember the folk song; A O M’ERIN J’OBA, EWEKU EWELE.
On your arrival home from abroad, be extremely vigilant with people that will visit you. Please be guided by the folk song of; A O M’ERIN J’OBA, EWEKU EWELE.
Among your Peers, Family, Friends, Co-workers, Associates or in the midst of Envious characters, pls never forget the folk song of; A O M’ERIN J’OBA, EWEKU EWELE.
By Chairman Lagos State Taskforce, Chief Superintendent of Police ( CSP.) Yinka Egbeyemi
