Feature: An Inspiring Persona @ 64

 

He was Governor of the State of Osun for two-term tenure of eight years. His people-oriented rule over the state is not only measured numerically in years, but his breath-catching impacts and achievements speak volumes and as such, remain unbeatable. His current port of call as Minister of Interior at the federal level proves his avowal as the Man with the Midas touch. This piece by NIYI OLASINDE strews the victor’s palm in the way of this enigma, 

Rauf Aregbesola, the Celebrator, as he turns 64 today.

AREGBESOLA means different things to several people in many diverse ways. From a distance, several people in other states covet him as a governor they deserve to have, at least for as short possible a time as they could. His engineering profession views him with pride, as he bestrides the political landscape, not only of his indigenous State of Osun but that of the entire nation, Nigeria like legendary Colossus. His Ijesa homestead and his kith and kin therein stand tall with pride of having a worthy son in Rauf, who they parade with fond pride as an achiever after the fashion of his progenitor in service, late Chief Bola Ige.

The duo of Bola Ige and Aregbesola, bound by the same ancestral origin, shone bright during their times as helmsmen in the old Oyo State and today’s State of Osun respectively. Their sense of service and selfless leadership qualities cannot but infect anyone with passion for good governance with prodigious mentor-mentee commitment cum devotion. We make bold to say that Aregbesola, contrary to negative speculations against his origin, proved through superlative and distinguished service in office, that he is a true Ijesa-born avatar.

Within his short period as political head of the nation’s Interior Ministry, Aregbesola has hit the ground running by recording multiple strings of achievements which have made staffers, stakeholders and the entire nation alike to wish he had been there much longer and earlier. Aregbesola did excellently well and is doing far more marvelously than those who took shots at the ministry earlier than him.

At the religious front, Aregbesola is a devout Muslim. In family and matrimony, his exemplary model is outstanding. May I say that it is this aspect in the life of Rauf that set charity for his exemplary conduct in politics, governance and public service? Aregbesola shines more and brighter as he took turn to function as student politician, comrade in democratic struggles, socio-economic cum political crusader, engineering entrepreneur, media proprietor and intellectual guru of sorts. It behooves us well in Nigeria to check the profiles and lifestyles of our leaders prior to entrusting them with public offices. Certainly, the stories must have served us in better stead if we had always kept proper tabs on our would-be leaders and office holders as regards their family values, spousal relationship, childrearing successes and other components that could be used to adjudge how their administrative acumens would thrive.

Prior to his emergence into Osun politics, we heard of an Aregbesola in cosmopolitan Lagos who was a politician and a commissioner who practically turned around the sorry state of road infrastructure in that state positively. Back here in Osun, the people of the state, in their impressive droves, did not err in settling down for him to take over the reins of power and governance in 2007. Even though that was not destined to be until 2010, Aregbesola did not betray the trust as he rendered excellent account of himself and his progressive cause throughout his time in office. Little wonder that he is moving higher in rank and prominence. His is a case-in-hand of one good term that deserves sequences of others!

Particularly, a huge lesson to learn from Rauf’s life is that loyalty pays. His unflinching support for and unwavering loyalty to his principal and mentor in politics, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, is unsurpassed. Emerging politicians will need the likes of Ogbeni to rely on for grooming so as not to make faulty headways in their journeys, adventures and exploration.

Still in the State of Osun, Aregbesola’s popularity looms larger till date, almost three years after leaving office! His special breed of politics has left indellible marks, such that his political structure will still go a lot of places in determining who gets what and what happens next in the political terrains of the state for a long period of time to come, God willing. Anyone who shares different outlook from this needs not wait indefinitely to be assured that we speak the truth.

Hate him or love him, whatever sentiments or political ideologies you hold, it is an indisputable fact that Aregbesola realised well his onions, made the best use of the God-given opportunities available to him and ruled his people with deep sense of duty, responsible servant-leadership, stewardship, patriotism, love, empathy and sense of history. Events playing out today at the Interior Ministry are reminiscent of avalanches that widen his scope and spheres of influence. Today, Aregbesola of Osun, who many outside Osun coveted is available to the outer, wider world and is making up instructively for it.

The last time I searched, Osun still waited for an administrator par excellence in the thresholds of Aregbesola’s mien and candour. Having raised the bars of politics, governance and public service, the people wait for his quality and level of good governance to be matched. This shall happen, hopefully, very soon. His departure from office in 2018, though for better, captures the expression by Shakespeare: “Here was a Caesar! When comes such another?” The State of Osun will be caused to smile again very soon. Its waste places shall be turned positively around soonest.

We pray long life and immense prosperity for the Celebrator, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, the quintessential leader of our time. It shall be well with you, your household. God will continually bless your exertions and everything that is yours. Congratulations, Sir!!!