Man that is born of a woman is of few days and full of trouble, says the holy book. Since the demise of the immediate past Governor of Oyo state, late Senator Abiola Ajimobi, I have read a lot of tributes and comments about the life and times of this great icon, a leader per excellent and the Architect and builder of modern Oyo State. What one can take away from the tributes and comments is that the former governor has done his best and the legacies he left behind will continue to speak for him.
The death of Senator Ajimobi came as a shock to me because it is not being expected this soon. I remember we did joke among ourselves in the cabinet that the man was not looking old, despite crossing the line of seventy.
I came to know Senator Ajimobi in 2011 when he won the governorship election but not at a close range. I used to believed he was a hard person and a wicked man. This assumptions were based on hearsay. However, these assumptions changed sometime in January 2019, when I had the opportunity to meet him. At that time, there was a vacancy in the Oyo State Signage and Advertisement Agency ( OYSAA) and I was introduced to him as the right man for the job. To my surprise, he received and interviewed me. At this short interaction, I found out that he was a very intelligent man, who was very versatile in all aspects of human endeavors. He did not believe in mediocrity. He did not give in to frivolity in the appointments of political aides., He ensured the best people get the few available jobs. After the meeting, he instructed the Secretary to the State Government (SSG) to issue a letter of appointment to me as DG, OYSAA.
I will forever be grateful to him for the opportunity he gave to me to serve in his administration despite the fact that I am not an Oyo indegene. To be specific, I am an indegene of Kwara State. Senator Ajimobi is one of the most detribalized Nigerians that I have ever met. I remember there was quite a number of members of his cabinet who are not from Oyo State. Every council meeting is always a gathering of intellectuals with H.E as the arrow head, brainstorming on every memo before finally coming to conclusion on what is the best for the state.
No matter what some critics of the governor say, Senator Ajimobi has the best interest of the state at heart and at every opportunity, he never failed to remind us that the interest of Oyo State superseded every other interest. Everything he did, I believe, is in the best interest of the state. Though, some decisions may not go down well with some people but such is life. He has a saying, “A good leader will take people to where they ought to be and not where they want to be”. Quite interesting about his valedictory message when he was about to leave office was his unreserved apology to anyone he offended in the course of carrying out his governorship job for eight years. He also pointed out that he forgave anyone that offended him while in office.
As the former governor has gone the way of all mortals, I only pray that may his soul find rest with his maker. Good night, Senator Isiaka Abiola Ajimobi. You have left your footprints on the sands of time. Your legacies and good works will continue to speak for you.
Hon. Olorunshola Omotayo. Former Special Adviser and Director General, Oyo State Signage and Advertisement Agency.
