Briaunna Savage's Review of Dr. Gbadegesin's Lecture

The title of Dr. Segun Gbadegesin’s lecture was “Omoluabi: Self Actualization and Communal Responsibility.” Dr. Gbadegesin paid homage to the people who came before him and to those who will follow him, before he began his lecture. He began his lecture with a folktale about a woman named Iwa, the goddess of existence. Iwa was a beautiful woman who was married to Oruhmila, the god of wisdom. She was the daughter of Suru, the god of patience and the first son of the supreme diety. Africans believe that everyone took a destiny before leaving the world of the gods, one of which we fulfill. Oruhmila was told not to stress Iwa, or she would leave him. He did not obey, so she left. Iwa is character. The moral of the story is that if you lose character, you lose everything.
Dr. Gbadegesin stressed the importance of character. He says that “A man of character is a man of wealth.” Through character we develop the ability to thoroughly love one another while gaining much knowledge and wisdom. The Ancient Egyptians used Iwa, character, to practice Cum Ma’at. They practiced truth, order, harmony, justice, and balance.
I enjoyed Dr. Segun Gbadegesin lesson. It taught me that with Iwa and the Principles of Ma’at, I can become an Omoluabi, which is a person of character, disciplined and self-improving, earning the respect of the community. If we earn the respect of the community, we can lead the people of the community to a place of knowledge, wisdom, and understanding.