Only_Tomide

Lol!!! I should make friends with someone who defends the worst things in the name of politics? And them no be lawyer? Someone who would mock the poor, the victims of insecurity, all in the name of politics? “I’m defending my candidate and party”. I’m not sorry!!!

To you, Politics is banter. It is like Chelsea vs Man Utd. To me Politics is about fighting for my life and the lives of my people. So yes, I am very judgemental when it comes to politics and what people stand for. Thank you.

POLO AND PEOPLE: THE VISION BEHIND THE IDEA The idea of Polo and People came from many angles, but at the heart of it all was one thing: my city, Ibadan. At some point, I had to pause writing my book, The Unbelievable Ibadan, to think deeply about something: How do we bring Polo to the People? I initially presented the idea as a Polo Clinic to members of the Executive Committee of Ibadan Polo Club. Through several conversations and brainstorming sessions, we began to shape it into something much bigger. At some point, I simply told the Organizing Committee, “Just trust me.” Because what I was proposing was, in many ways, the opposite of traditional polo culture. Polo is an exclusive sport. Across the world, polo clubs are private communities, built around traditions, membership, relationships, and a culture that has been preserved for generations. And here I was, proposing that we open our doors to the public. Not because I wanted to change polo, but because I wanted people to experience it. I have always believed that “Before we bring the world to Ibadan, we must first bring Ibadan to Polo.” That philosophy became the foundation of Polo and People. We opened opportunities for creatives to be featured in the Polo and People Magazine at absolutely no cost. We invited people who might never have imagined themselves stepping into a polo club, let alone experiencing the sport, meeting players, interacting with members, and becoming part of the atmosphere. We wanted people to see beyond the horses, the mallets, and the perceived exclusivity. We wanted them to experience the people, the relationships, the culture, and the opportunities that exist within the polo community. For many, these were opportunities they might never have imagined having in their lifetime. And I have always said something about polo: “Polo takes care of itself.” The sport has its own traditions, structures, relationships, and global community. It does not need to abandon its identity to welcome new people. What we needed was to create a bridge between that world and the city that has hosted our club for 120 years. And that was exactly what we set out to do. Over the past two days, we have had fun. We have made connections, created memories, introduced new faces to the sport, and, most importantly, brought Ibadan closer to Polo. But there is something equally important that I want everyone to understand. Opening our doors does not mean abandoning our values. Inclusivity does not mean the absence of tradition. And accessibility does not mean the erosion of culture. We have brought you to Polo. We have shared our world with you. We have shown you what makes this community special. Now, we must respect the culture of Polo. Because the ultimate success of Polo and People is not simply how many people attended, but how many people leave with a better understanding, appreciation, and respect for the sport and the institution behind it. This was never just about organizing an event. It was about building a bridge between a historic institution and the city it calls home. And for me, that city will always be Ibadan. Chief Olajuwon Enitan Subair-Adelokun Vice President / Tournament Manager, Ibadan Polo Club