Oyebanji: Open and Hidden treasures in a Governor at 58

By Wole Olujobi

It is time to celebrate Governor Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji of Ekiti State again after a yearly run on the Gregorian calendar that completes the People’s Governor’s 58th year sojourn on the Planet Earth.

Born to illuminate his world with the warmth and riches of his endowments, Oyebanji’s method, as once noted by yours sincerely, transcends the frontiers of social class to connect with the people at the intuitive, sincere level, to reinforce his energy of the spirit that is always on a quest for knowledge, surmounting  challenges and commitment to vision.

Given to the world on December 21, 1967, under the zodiac sign of Sagittarius renowned for optimistic outlook and a love for exploration to serve humanity, do not blame Oyebanji for his loyalty and determination in the pursuit of his dreams.

Our Lord Jesus Christ,  born in December, and  whose holy birth gave rise to Christmas as Christians’ festival when Oyebanji was born and through which he derived his name ‘Biodun’, had taught us great lessons on how the quest for conquests leads to salvation and victory.

The quest for conquests spurred Oyebanji as a young man to be diligent in his studies, knowing full well that education holds the key to the conquest of all challenges in life.

Not for him the willy-nilly lifestyle of accidental leaders that gamble with existence; his is a life of lofty dreams to live purposefully by building himself first to enable him serve humanity in an intricate and convoluted world governed by the equally complex forces that can only be understood by a man who has schooled himself in the art and act of managing self for the higher calling of managing fellow human beings.

Raised in the Ekiti State tourism belt that harbours Ekiti warm spring town of Ikogosi and parented by Pa Kunle Ezekiel and Madam Esther Oyebanji, the governor of Ekiti State reminds us about how the circumstance of birth and upbringing can define fate as God’s sovereignty, human free will and a chosen destiny through faith.

Here, God’s purposeful plan, personal responsibility and the ultimate hope for success, fuse into a code that defines the paths, no matter how tough and rough, to follow in building a life of purpose rather than succumbing to chance.

Whether by divine favours or accident of procreation,  Oyebanji, a man with a strong sense of responsibility, has triumphed as a man whose life is defined by a purposeful and impactful leadership in service of humanity.

The Sagittariuses are such special breeds of humans, who, in spite of vicissitudes of life, traverse the same plain in their zodiac arc to champion the history and cause of their people, living their lives in service of fellow human beings. Here, Winston Churchill, a British statesman and Sagittarius renowned for strategic vision, comes to mind.  Thomas Carlyle, a Scottish essayist, historian and philosopher known as the “sage of Chelsea”, also fits the bill.

The other is William Blake; a seminal figure in the British society and vocal critic of social injustice, poverty and child labour, who held radical political and social views of his time supporting the ideals of the American and French Revolutions and advocating for women’s equality, while Friedrich Engels helped define modern communism for social justice. As a rule, the lives of the Sagittariuses are cut for service to humanity and Oyebanji is true to the colour and charge of his divine endowments and commitment.

Oyebanji, born in the mase of luscious Ikogosi hills, reminds us about the lines of Lois Butler of Marshfield, Wisconsin, USA, while writing on the birth of Jesus Christ on the hills of Bethlehem. She wrote:
“Into the hills of Bethlehem thronged the crowd that day. And Mary on a donkey
rocked with rhythmic sway.

“Up and down the rocks and hills
they travelled seventy miles.The winding train; each step a pain….
“And now the world receives God’s gift
and we received ours, too.

“We know the hurt of Mary’s pain as we cried out for relief. But what a joy, this baby boy, for this gift, pain was brief!”

Here in this part, Governor Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji is also a God’s gift delivered to Ekiti people at Christmas season. And in Oyebanji’s conquering life after surviving and soothing the pains of early life, he has kept faith and pace with Sagittarian graces, such as being astutely optimistic, adventurous and winning spirit, honest, disciplined, hardworking, practical, philosophical and freedom-loving in the way he conducts himself in both private and public lives.

Oyebanji lives to conquer as can be seen in the tackling of the  challenges that had militated against Ekiti people. He had a dream for the creation of Ekiti State that was at the backwaters of development in the South West. He realised the dream by participating in all activities leading to its creation. As governor, he has achieved the dream of a prosperous state through  faithful implementation of his development scheme encapsulated in his six-point agenda in the last three years, particularly in education, agriculture, social investment sectors, security, economy and infrastructure development, including creating an atmosphere of amity among contending political forces in Ekiti State for enduring peace, even as the governor has put the state on the world aviation map, as Ekiti International Cargo Airport has commenced commercial operations.

In agriculture and energy sectors in particular, while the impacts of the governor’s revolutionary agricultural production, including several economic intervention schemes, are being felt in the crash of food prices in the markets across the state, several communities that were in darkness for upwards of 10 years now enjoy regular electricity supply to boost economic activities, including enhancing security and social life of Ekiti people, even as the people live in harmony. Under Oyebanji, Ekiti State is rated as one of the most peaceful states in Nigeria.

As Jesus commanded, Oyebanji makes peace with his opponents (mild, rabid and toxic) just like the Son of Mary mended fences with the sinners and tormentors of His Father’s Kingdom, such as Mary Magdalen, Dismas the “good thief” on the Cross, tax collector Zacchaeus and gentiles led by Cornelius the Centurion.

The generous spirit imbued with passion for development defines Oyebanji’s politics, which has seen to the popular multi-partisan support he is getting across the state  for a second term in office, to enable him consummate his dream for a prosperous Ekiti State.

Your Excellency, your passion is to enhance the living conditions of Ekiti people. Your dream is to create enduring conditions for the progress of Ekiti people in all they do. Your vision is to cultivate a rich model of culture of growth and development for Ekiti people. And trusting in your capacity, sincerity, commitment and vision for a prosperous Ekiti State as you brace for the continuation of your journey of life, may God imbue you with the grace to carry Ekiti banner to create a legacy of honour and development for the peace-loving people of Ekiti State.

Happy birthday to the People’s Governor!

• Olujobi, journalist and Commissioner in Ekiti State Local Government Service Commission, writes from Ado-Ekiti