Knowledge is a commodity that is often narrowed down to acquisition of cognitive ability. Often, allusion to knowledge is not seeing beyond some measures of knowledge in concrete terms. And that is the premise upon which knowledge is measured and numerical values attached to same. However, in more practical terms, knowledge is not tied down to numerical strengths, rather its quantification should define achievements and successes affectively.
Today, being 16th day of October, 2022, opens the dawn of another beginning. A beginning in the mould of intellectually stimulating administration of a very affable and urbane personage, Dr. John Olukayode Fayemi. And when it is the dawn of another beginning, there’s a significant relationship between the soon-to-exit Governor and the incoming, His Excellency, Abiodun Ayobami Oyebanji. It is on record that the new helmsman of Ekiti State has garnered much and tremendous in-and-off office experiences that are huge enough to interpolate a definition in governance Knowledge that should define a new Ekiti Kete.
He was the Secretary to the Committee on creation of Ekiti State in 1994 only at age 27. Subsequently at age 32, he became a Special Assistant (Parliamentary Affairs). He was also a Special Adviser at 33. And at 36, he became a Chief of Staff to His Excellency Dr. John Olukayode Fayemi.
Still in the line of public service, at 42, he became the Chairman, Governing Board, Citizenship and Leadership Training Centre at the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development. And at 43, he became a Commissioner at the Ministry of Integration and Inter-Government Affairs in Ekiti State. He later served as Head, Office of Transformation Strategy and Delivery, Ekiti State at 44. And Commissioner, Ministry of Budget, Economic Planning and Service Delivery at 46 also in Ekiti State. And in the immediate past, he was the Secretary, Ekiti State Government between 2018 and 2022 in the administration of His Excellency Dr. John Olukayode Fayemi.
These vast experiences not only define the knowledge in interrogation in this piece, it also helps him over the years given his vast records in public services to fittingly assert himself seamlessly in governance. And in tandem with one of the scriptural assurances that a man of knowledge enhances his might (Proverbs 24:5b), it is this treasured knowledge under the guidance of Almighty God that should be the main thrust of the new administration even as Ekiti Kete welcomes the face of His Excellency Abiodun Ayobami Oyebanji. And him been much tutotred in Relational Intelligence given the aray of exposures in public offices, this knowledge should interface with the ethos of Omoluabi that made him to leave enviable imprints in the public offices he held before this new highest ranked office in Ekiti State.
And with his elegant and beautiful, cerebral and humble; and, social skills personified and praying wife, Dr. Olayemi Abiodun-Oyebanji, a Princess of Ado Ekiti, the expected working and practical knowledge should ordinarily come in handy. Dr. Olayemi Abiodun-Oyebanji, whose specialisations are in institutional administration, leadership and school quality governance at the University of Ibadan Faculty of Education should be able to bring light in governance during the administration of her hubby.
To make a true difference between governance and politics, it requires fear of Almighty God. May the Governor and his wife have it in abundance. And while all the political know-hows are needed to assume governance, success in governance is a direct function of fear of God and trust in Him to make a difference. Your Excellencies, may you always be guided by this stark import.
In my Church is an old and revered Deacon that has this unusual but very efficacious prayers. He would always pray as follows:
E o ni sise (you won’t make mistakes),
E o ni momo sise (you won’t deliberately make mistakes) and,
Won ko ni ti yin si’se (you won’t be deliberately pushed to make mistakes). For spiritually discerned minds, these are loaded prayers that should receive vibrating AMENS. In the light of the efficacious prayers of the old man, may your administration be guided by the spirit of the prayers.
The little I know of the personality of His Excellency shows much about his finesse in character and dress sense. In the same light, this should define his administration and anchor same on the part of excellence. It is then the next four years will be recorded as very huge in successes.
And finally, I urge your Excellencies to reflect on the evergreen and thought-rendering quote of Josiah Gilbert Holland, “GOD, give us men! A time like this demands strong minds, great hearts, true faith and ready hands. Men whom the lust of office does not kill. Men whom the spoils of office can not buy. Men who possess opinions and a will. Men who have honour. Men who will not lie. Men who can stand before a demagogue and damn his treacherous flatteries without winking! Tall men, sun-crowned, who live above the fog in public duty, and in private thinking………”
Your Excellencies and first family of Ekiti State, may you succeed in all areas of governance much more than your imaginations. And may the people of Ekiti State be happy with your administration, your Excellency.
Professor Oyesoji Aremu, Department of Counselling and Human Development Studies, University of Ibadan.
