By Damilola Adeyera
“Eshin to shi waju oun ni afin joba,” the Yoruba adage, when loosely translated, says: The horse at the front is usually crowned king. Queen Latifah is one of the leading horse among her peers at La Campagne Tropicana Beach and Forest Resort.
The golden-brown-looking animal didn’t stumble upon this title. Nor did she attain this status because of her age or the number of years she has spent at La Campagne. Queen Latifah was crowned with this royalty as a result of her strength, obedience, and loyalty to the hospitality culture of La Campagne.
If horses believed in spirituality, they’d all testify to the good tidings of Queen Latifah. Who knows, the horse priest before his demise might have received visions detailing the arrival of Latifah. The priest might have prophesied and foretold tales of the coming of Queen Latifah. The priest might have delivered this prophecy to the horse who lived together with the others at La Campagne. Like every prophet, this horse priest’s prophecy might have been met with reluctance. Time would, however, prove the horse priest right.
The arrival of Queen Latifah into the stables of La Campagne was significant. It was at a time when horses at the resort were hungry for companionship. The horses at the time could be counted so quickly, like someone perusing through a book. After the arrival of Queen Latifah, the number of horses tripled. And the horses, who were previously friends with loneliness, found companionship amongst one another due to their increased numbers.
The name Lateefah is of Arabic origin. It translates to “gentle,” “kind,” “pleasant,” or “delicate.” It is the feminine form of the masculine name Latif, which is one of the 99 names of Allah in Islamic tradition. The spelling of the name can vary: Latifa, Lateefa, Lateefah. For the gentility and strong feminine energy, she showed upon arrival at La Campagne, Otunba Olawanle Akinboboye chose to name the horse Latifah.
A curious mind would then ask, “How did Latifah become queen?” The answer can be found in the Yoruba adage quoted at the beginning of this story. Despite the large number of horses in the stable at La Campagne Tropicana Beach and Forest Resort, Lateefah was usually the horse chosen by guests at the resort to be ridden on. This consistent choice earned her the crown as the sensational horse of La Campagne Tropicana. Hence, the appellation: Queen Latifah.
Unlike other horses who are born to run, Queen Latifah has lived to bring healing to every guest who rides her. With every gentle stride, she carries every guest through a roller coaster of emotions. Her rare empathy wipes away the worries of humans visiting La Campagne. A ride on Queen Latifah is therapy.
Do not miss an opportunity to experience this beauty whenever you visit La Campagne Tropicana Beach and Forest Resort, Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos.
Queen Latifah, the sensational horse of La Campagne Tropicana, has taught us that true strength in patience to carry others through their happiest and darkest days.
All hail Queen Latifah.