Apart from the fact that God created objects and living things for them to worship Him, He understands why they cannot be easily identified or isolated in the absence of names.
The concept of name has been discussed in various ways by literary writers, critics, and philosophers. In one of his novels, William Shakespeare, a well-known British writer, asks, “What’s in a name?” That which we call a rose would smell as sweet by any other name. This is Juliet’s line when she tells Rome that a name is nothing more than a name and that it is thus a convention with no meaning.” Name has been described as one of the factors for forming and nurturing identity from a philosophical and sociological standpoint. Objects and people are frequently named using cultural, familial, and historical indices, particularly in Africa.
The new governor of Osun state, like all other humans, was named by his parents a few days after his birth. Child is named using religious and cultural indices, similar to what is available in other Yoruba communities in Nigeria. This is why many Yoruba have names that are influenced by religion or culture. Ademola and Adeleke, for example, were chosen for the new governor based on cultural rather than religious considerations. The two names are solely determined by the royal ancestry of the parents, particularly the father. In both names, “Ade” means “crown,” whereas “mola” and “leke” mean “someone who joins others in riches” and “someone who leads a group or community,” respectively.
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Despite the fact that these two names are associated with the new governor, it is important to remind the public that Adeleke is the name of his late father, indicating his (Ademola) surname. Available information indicates that the late Adeleke also named the new governor, Nurudeen, a Muslim (his father). Nurudeen is an Arabic name that means “light” (Nuru) and “religion” (Deen). Looking at the two divisions, it is clear that the name is good, and any practicing Muslim parent would be proud to give his son such a name.
Before adding Jackson, the new governor bore Nurudeen Ademola Adeleke for several years, at least during his childhood. According to available information, the new governor added Jackson to his name(s) after converting to Christianity. Jackson is an old English name that means “son of Jack” and “son of John,” according to several sources. According to the sources, using “John” as the basis for interpreting the name indicates that “God has been gracious.” As a result, the parents who named their child could be said to believe that God has been gracious to them.
While there is no genuine evidence that the new governor is not a Muslim, it is instructive to know that having more than three names is not illegal, according to our analyst. Meanwhile, having four names for official engagement appears absurd and causes public confusion. Without using the new governor’s father’s name (Adeleke), there is confusion about which of the names could be used for discussing or searching information about him.
Which is it, Jackson or Nurudeen? Jackson Adeleke produces results. Nurudeen Adeleke produces results. However, using Senator Ademola Adeleke in addition to Jackson or Nurudeen yields better results. So, what exactly is in the new governor’s triple names? The answer to this question was given briefly earlier with an explanation of the meanings associated with some of his names. Meanwhile, our analyst observes that as the new governor is described and represented in the news media, using these names interchangeably indicates confusion, which needs to be cleared up as soon as possible. The confusion started when the Independent National Electoral Commission announced his victory following the July 27, 2022 governorship election with “Senator Adeleke Ademola Jackson Nurudeen,” he must have filled out the nomination form using these names.
Confusion in the media
According to our analysis, the names have been used interchangeably on numerous occasions in the newspapers listed below. Senator Ademola Nurudeen Jackson Adeleke (Daily Trust), Senator Ademola Adeleke Jackson Nurudeen (Daily Trust), Senator Ademola Jackson Nurudeen Adeleke (Leadership), Senator Ademola Jackson Nurudeen Adeleke (The Nigerian Tribune), Senator Nurudeen Jackson Ademola Adeleke (Premium Times), Senator Ademola Nurudeen Jackson Adeleke (Premium Times); Senator Nurudeen Ademola Jackson Adeleke (Vanguard), Senator Ademola Adeleke (Vanguard), Senator Ademola Adeleke (The Guardian)
Our analyst concludes from the revealed insights that the new governor must select two of these names in order to avoid giving his administration a contradictory public image and level of engagement. The media team must also step up by providing the governor with a strong and strategic personal brand portfolio and by guiding media professionals, particularly those working for mainstream media organizations, through the values and standards associated with the portfolio.