The month of May floods me with great memories. This is not just because of the great events that mark it out but because it heralds the rising into mother earth of a man of destiny! A man whose life has impacted and has continued touching many lives here and abroad positively. A quintessential leader and a proud son of Osun; a descendant of Oromiyan who has chosen to carve his name in gold boldly in the page of history; a man who bequeathed State of Osun with great testimonials of service to the masses.
I have always held the opinion and consistently found it to be truly so that the Almighty God has a purpose for all that happens to a man. After all the Sage, Obafemi Awolowo once boldly assert in a moment of great trial that “whatever happens to a man happens to him for his own good! GOD has purpose for individuals and therefore strategically position them for specific seasons in the annals of history. It is therefore not by coincidence that God will chose the month of May to bless the world with a unique man of purpose; His Excellency, Ogbeni Rauf Adesoji Aregbesola.
His Excellency; Governor Aregbesola was born into and bred by humanism. He grew learning the art and science of struggle for emancipation. His adulthood was thus baptized into a life that could best be described as embodiment of the struggle to emancipate the downtrodden! He was refined in the furnace of a life devoted to popular crusade for the liberation of the society from the shackles of oppressions and injustices. He was not deterred by the unpalatable experiences and difficulties growing up in less privileged environment; having not been born with the fabled silver spoon! Rather, he deployed his humble background as a tonic for sharpening progressive ideological worldview. Imbued by the circumstances of deprivation under which he was raised, he became determined and committed to championing the cause of poor masses. He became passionate with the urge to lift poor masses out of poverty whenever and wherever he finds the opportunity.
His quest to pursue progressive ideals with passion has continued to define political activism and leadership. Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola is a man driven essentially and irrevocably by progressive ideology has became the building blocks for the focus of his governance in the State of Osun. His tenure as governor of State of Osun did not only transformed infrastructural architecture but also impacted on all facets of human capital development as manifested in education, health social development sectors. Not withstanding the limited resources at the disposal of the state and considering the huge personnel cost thrust upon the lean revenue base, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola transformed the lives of the people through series of social development initiatives in demonstration of his firm believer in the power of the people to create and energize development in any clime.
Under his stewardship as Governor, the State of Osun and her people have recovered lost glory and indeed found greater voice in Nigeria by becoming a reference point in many instances. His government became a model of how best to deliver effective governance to a people within the context of meagre resources. Ogbeni Aregbesola deployed the commission of office of governor for exceptional creativity in all aspects of governance.
Ogbeni Aregbesola’s feat as governor was however not surprising given his antecedents, beliefs and avowals as a revolutionary with Marxist-Leninism ideological pedigree. Ogbeni Aregbesola is today a proud scion of revolutionary school of thought in Nigeria as he has not betrayed the ideology during his tenure as Governor of the State of Osun State. He practiced the ideology he preached as governor and the State of Osun is clearly better for it.
Aregbesola’s governance model in the State of Osun has indeed rekindled the hope of the of pro-people leadership in Nigeria. Ogbeni Aregbesola boldly re-enacted the promises which democracy holds for the progress of humanity. He is a man under whose guidance the State of Osun acquired value for every Naira and Kobo channeled into execution of projects. Ogbeni Aregbesola consciously refused to join the maddening crowd of looters but rather painstakingly insisted dividends of good governance must be delivered to the people. Ogbeni Aregbesola’s style of progressive governance ensured great achievements were recorded in State of Osun at minimum costs.
It is therefore our duty to celebrate the birthday of this illustrious cadre of popular struggle as a shining star of our democratic quest. Present and future leaders in Nigeria especially those in executive positions at the three tiers of government should be encouraged to emulate the virtues of Rauf Aregbesola by providing impactful leadership that will uplift the status of the society and all categories of citizens. Making leadership counts for the greater interest of all and sundry precisely should be attraction for celebrating icons of selfless leadership and one of the ways of entrenching people-centred democracy in Nigeria.
Ogbeni Aregbesola is a man blinded to primordial sentiments. He is not ruled by where you come from and what religion you practice but believes in rewarding excellence and exceptional talents. He is not afraid of seeking out talents, nurturing them and encouraging them to grow and become better so that the community and the Nigerian project can become better served. This disposition has become a virtue and personae with which Ogbeni Aregbesola is presiding over the affairs of Ministry of Internal Affairs where presently serves as Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Without sounding immodest, we would boldly say that Nigeria is blessed to have Ogbeni Aregbesola as Minister of the highly strategic Ministry of Internal Affairs at a time the country is facing enormous social and security challenges. His achievements as Commissioner under the able leadership of Governor Bola Ahmed Tinubu in Lagos speak for themselves as the signature achievements of that regime which laid the foundation for the great standards Lagos state has today become in the nation’s governance structure.
Ogbeni Aregbesola has provided guidance and mentorship to many young men and that explains the nature and number of young men who form the nucleus of his government in Osun State. Providing opportunities for the youth and believing in their ability to perform has truly open the doors for many including my humble self to participate in the nation’s democracy and contribute positively to the nation’s governance.
As we celebrates this great son of Nigeria on his 63rd birthday, we pray that GOD Almighty will continue to be the source of his strength. Ogbeni Aregbesola is indeed a celebration of excellence! Occasion of his birthday is always an auspicious time to applaud the life of a man who has fearlessly demonstrated the essence of purposeful leadership in the midst of vociferous opposition. We celebrate a worthy achiever; an astute yet humble leader.
Our wish for His Excellency as he celebrates his birthday is that he will live long in good health to continue to chart the course for others to follow. The trees shall surely become huge shades to continues to be of relevance as fortress for motivation, encouragement and exemplary leadership. The foundation laid by Ogbeni Aregbesola will truly endure and will stand the test of times by the grace of GOD Almighty!
Congratulations your Excellency; Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola!
We join millions of your well-wishers in wishing you God’s speed even as you march to greater heights!
Honourable Olumuyiwa Jimoh is member representing Apapa State Constituency 2 in the Lagos State House of Assembly.