By Oyebisi Abayomi
It is a known fact that no man can please everybody, but some special breeds have learnt and mastered how to rightly allot scarce resources to get optimum results, in doing this, they have been able to build a good image for themselves in the glare of the public.
Talking of a man who has been able to earn himself a good reputation in the cabinet of Dr Kayode Fayemi brings me to the discussion of Tolu Ibitola’s philanthropic works in the state. The Yoruba popular saying that, “àṣesílè ni àbọ̀wábá” holds water here, truly the newly appointed Chief of Staff has been tirelessly serving, and I hope posterity will be kind to him. I wish every local government has a Tolu Ibitola, the impact of this government would have been superfluously evident.
Let’s quickly visit one major event in 2020 that obviously proved the leadership qualities and strength of the newly appointed Chief of Staff, Mr Tolu Ibitola. Yeah! one of the privilege I had during the lockdown to go outside my environment having been loaded with plenty of nothing to do indoors is my joining of Tolu Ibitola’s welfare/palliative distribution team as a volunteer.
I actually lost count of the numbers of times his team visited Ido-Osi Local Government, it often than not became a regular thing for this team to visit Ido-Osi.
At some point I began to question logics, I resorted to asking myself about what Tolu Ibitola’s agenda were, at a point I walked up to one of his close ally in the team to ask if he intends running for any elective position, but the answer I got wasn’t convincing enough, how on earth will a man that’s not interested in running for any elective position be frequenting his hometown with his arms stretched out- reaching out to many who comes in contact with him and his team? I think this is strange in Nigeria politics.
We know the popular style is to move close to the people when obviously there is an intention to run for any elective position, but the more we kept going for the palliative distribution the more confused I was, could it be that this man is another Jesus- giving to his community with no intention of vying for any political post? I retorted! there were times myself and the team’s photographer and others within the team discuss, asking ourselves if any one amongst us is aware of the exact motive behind Ibitola’s relentless reaching out to his people.
But I think I recently got to believe vividly that he is not running for any elective post, the visit to his residence during the recent Easter party where he hosted all and sundry cast little light on my age long doubt about his intentions as I see *Tolu4BAO* projected.
It is obvious now that he is not running for any elective position, hence, we would have since been seeing some kind of subtle campaign, just as many who didn’t reach out to their people has been forming to be the Messiah that is appearing out of the blues now. Well, the public is wise to know the one who has truly been reaching out, and street credibility will judge the works of those seeking elective position of any form, not to none performance or emergency messiahs.
Going forward, his appointment as the new Chief of Staff to Ekiti State Governor yesterday nailed the coffin of my doubt, all he has been doing for people is purely motivated from a pure heart, not as we can see some doing now as elections are drawing closer.
However, I will want him to remember that he has been able to build a reputation for himself in the state across board, with a wide acceptance from all, and I hope he will continue in this manner, also, he should always remember that “the reward for good job is more work” his principal, colleagues, subordinates, usi people repose so much confidence in him and will want him to trail the blaze, set the pace and tell the older generation that we are not too young to lead. Congratulations to the newly appointed Chief of Staff to Ekiti State Governor.
Toluis here, calm down!
Oyebisi Abayomi writes from Ado Ekiti and can be reached via soamabayomi@gmail.com