A Yoruba proverb says, “If the people inside cannot destroy you, the ones outside cannot.”

Sometimes, the biggest advantage that one person can have does not relate to financial or personal prowess, nor any form of talent.

Rather, it can be the simple knowledge that you have family who support you in whatever you choose to do.

In light of the recent victory of Governor Ademola Adeleke in the Osun State gubernatorial election, I thought of the significance of the power of family in life.

Ademola won the election with 511,067 votes and will serve another term as governor.

But apart from the numbers, it was the family of the man that came to my mind.

His nephew, Davido, has always supported him through multiple elections. He once openly admitted to having bet his career in support of his uncle. And this year, he has done much more.

Davido stated that he would take a break from his music career for two months to campaign for Ademola Adeleke, not only because he was his uncle but also because he thought that his uncle had done well and still had things to do.

Just think about it for a second.

This is a person whose career is reaching its height but is willing to set aside his time and efforts for a member of his family. This goes beyond just being family.

We celebrate our family members whenever they succeed in life. But the most important thing we can ever do is just to stick with them even before their success.

There is something comforting in knowing that if your brother is your defender, your sister is your cheerleader, your parents are praying for you, your kids are your believers, and your relatives will not forsake you simply because the journey is getting tough.

That is the type of home that builds confidence.

If things are okay with you at home, it is always easy for you to be okay on the field.

You can enter difficult rooms in a different way if you know you have somewhere to call home. You can take more chances if you know failing does not automatically ostracize you. When the people closest to you don’t question your value, you can pursue bigger dreams.

Family is not just being of the same name. Family is supporting each other in realizing our aspirations. It is recognizing who deserves the honour. Family is respecting one another despite the differences. It is rejoicing at one another without envy.

Therefore, before venturing out into the world, take a moment to look inside your house. How are the people around you doing?

And that’s why you always hear that the greatest decision you will ever make is the choice of who you marry.

Protect your home. Win on the field. But make peace at home. Because with a strong home, you can face any battle on the field.

See you tomorrow.

Oluboba Ayodeji.