TRIBUTE TO A VISIONARY LEADER – DR JOHN KAYODE FAYEMI (JKF) ____BY DR ENIOLA AJAYI

By Dr Eniola Ajayi

It is indeed an honour and a privilege for me to write this tribute in honour of a man of honour – Dr John Kayode Fayemi, Governor Ekiti State 2010-2014 and 2018 – 2022. I served under his leadership as commissioner during his first tenure.

The first thing that stood out for me was his vision for Ekiti. He was clear about what he wanted in every sector. He spoke to me clearly about what he wanted with the Education of our people in the state. He wanted to make education functional and practicable. He wanted to make poverty history in Ekiti. Everything he did was motivated by these desires.

The second thing that caught my attention was his in-depth knowledge about many subject areas. He could speak about science, IT, architecture, global issues, economic issues, history, gender inclusion, medicine, governance, budgeting you name it. I marvelled at his intelligence and the ability to deploy it to the benefit of the State with ease. It was so easy to serve under a man who had so much to offer. I am therefore not surprised that this enviable quality of leadership kept propelling him till he was recognised by his peers to be made Chairman, Nigeria Governors Forum and ultimately the Leader of Leaders of all the Federating States in Africa.

The third attribute of JKF, my leader, is the largeness of his heart and that of his wife, Erelu Bisi Fayemi, if I might add. Their ability to forgive and move on, is legendary. While I am still struggling to forgive those who offended them, they are already having dinner with them. This ability to see the bigger picture can only be God given. I salute the grace of God upon your lives for this quality.

The fourth quality is that ability to lead without being greedy or doing things for personal aggrandisement. I can say this with all authority because I have known JKF since 1976 while we were in Christ School Ado Ekiti, while serving under him as Commissioner and even now that he nominated me as an Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. JKF is indeed a man of honour from the land of honour.

The fifth quality I would like to mention is his love for Ekiti. I haven’t met a man more passionate about Ekiti State like JKF. The love runs very deep for him. It has been the honour of my life to serve under a man of wisdom, vision, inspiration, innovation, moral discretion, love and respect for his people with the fear of God.

I can go on and on but, please allow me to conclude that JKF is Mr Development. He managed to lay the foundation for structural and Institutional Development in Ekiti. He leveraged his connections, influence, experience and expertise in the area of development to hewn water out of a rock. How else can you explain that Ekiti State is the 2nd highest destination for Foreign Direct investment in year 2022. He has managed to build an Airport out of nothing amongst several infrastructures too numerous to mention for a State with one of the lowest federal allocation in Nigeria. The legislative frameworks set up to back many landmark reforms is the stuff that visionary leaders are made of. May his tribe increase.

JKF is an exemplar! I celebrate him. I am proud of him. I wish him well as he undertakes the next chapter of his life in his service to humanity. EKITI a gbe o, JKF! Thank you for your service.

Dr Eniola Ajayi
Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to the Kingdom of the Netherlands
(Served in JKF 1 as Honourable Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology and later as Commissioner for Environment 2010-2014)

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