Orílòmọ, Not Owó Lómọ By Brown Eredia

Orílòmọ, not Owó lómọ. In our tradition, Orílòmọ speaks to destiny. It affirms that a man’s path is shaped by purpose, not possessions. Leadership, therefore, is not a reward of wealth or the result of ambition. It is a destined responsibility, placed on a man by calling, character, and commitment, not acquired through influence or material advantage.

The Aviary was never built on the pursuit of personal gain or the hunger for power. It was founded on brotherhood, service, sacrifice, and the clear understanding that leadership is duty, not entitlement. A man does not lead simply because he desires to; he leads because the responsibility demands him. In recent times, the tussle for offices and titles has distracted us from this truth. When leadership is treated as a reward, unity begins to suffer. When power becomes the goal, tradition loses its meaning. Yet our tradition teaches otherwise. Leadership is not scarce in the Aviary. Every Avian carries responsibility.

Leadership is revealed in conduct, loyalty, discipline, and service, not only in the occupation of an office. The founders of the Aviary Club of Nigeria understood this clearly. They envisioned a community where men lead by example, where influence is earned through character, and where positions exist solely as tools for service. Offices were created to organize the house, not to divide it. Titles were meant to strengthen brotherhood, not inflate egos. To return to tradition is to return to this understanding. It is to accept leadership as destiny, not competition. It is to choose peace over rivalry, duty over ambition, and collective progress over personal interest. It is to remember that today’s follower may be tomorrow’s leader, and that every leader remains, first and always, a servant to all. When we embrace Orílòmọ instead of Owó lómọ, the Aviary grows stronger. Brotherhood deepens. Trust is restored. Our focus returns to building men of value, supporting one another across generations and borders, and preserving the integrity of the house we all belong to.

The future of the Aviary Club of Nigeria does not depend on who holds power, but on how faithfully we honour destiny and uphold our values.

Let us end the tussle.

Let us return to tradition.

Let us remember that in the Aviary, leadership lives in every Avian.