It was a moment of sweet nostalgia for me yesterday as I was The Guest of Honour at the enrollment and rededication service of the 14th Company of the Boys’ & Girls’ Brigade of Nigeria in my home church, St Philip’s Anglican Church, Aramoko Ekiti.
Seeing the young boys and girls being enrolled to the Company drew tears of joy from me as I recalled how earnestly I desired to be a member of the 14th Company of The Boys’ Brigade of Nigeria many years back.
The experience was particularly humbling and exciting for me as I inspected the parade as The Guest of Honour when I remembered that as a growing child, I was a member of this particular Company, a moment I cherished as a young boy programmed for Christ.
To say I miss my childhood is an understatement. Yesterday gave me another opportunity to reminisce my early years when Christmas was more than rice and chicken. It was a moment when Christmas Eve was more real to us, children, as Jesus Christ was born by our own Mary to Joseph.
As youngsters, we looked forward more to the bonding and camaraderie that characterised Christmas. The Christmas Eve was a particular moment we dedicated to “Alupo” when your displayed firewood meant for sale could be taken by unauthorised users and it would not be classified as stealing.
If you grew up in the city or if you are not from my side of Nigeria, you may not understand the meaning of “Alupo”. Alupo was a communal feast organised to usher in the birth of Christ. It was a momentary period when stealing was legalised.
The condiments and ingredients for the feast were provided by young men and women who might not need the consent of their parents to make the items available for the great feast. I have partaken in several feasts, none has equalled Alupo. The experience is evergreen.
Christmas is here. As I look forward to Christmas, I cherish the memories that The 14th Company of The Boys’ & Girls’ Brigade of Nigeria ignited in me yesterday as I remember the object of The Boys’ Brigade. What is the object of The Boys’ Brigade? –
“The advancement of Christ’s Kingdom among Boys and the promotion of habits of Obedience, Reverence, Discipline, Self-respect and all that tend towards Christian manliness”.
What is more to look up to as a Christian? Thank you Boys’ & Girls’ Brigade of the 14th Company, for ushering me into this special season of Christmas in grand style.
Merry Christmas in advance, everyone.
©️Akin Oluwadare Jnr
18 December 2023.
