In recent time, there has been a myth that every hundred years, unique beings are sent to various parts of the world to explore and bring to use, the intellectual standardization of the Almighty, with the purpose of liberating people from suffering, ignorance, captivity, maladministration and the likes.
In this generation, we have begin to discover such mysterious creatures, who are godsend, whose functionality, dynamism and brilliancy are incomparable, notable and indisputable towards a specific purpose that eventually leads to human development, capacity advancement and nation-building. They exhibit spectacular things and have clearly identified themselves as icons filled with creativity. They are advocator of justice, symbols of greatness and undoubtedly a blessing to many generations.
However, such myth became so real 56 years ago when a child was born in a little town of Ilesa, State of Osun, Nigeria. Little did people know that the fate of a state would later be placed on his shoulder.
He was born in May 1957 and had his primary and secondary education in Ondo State. Thereafter, he proceeded to The Polytechnic Ibadan where he graduated as a mechanical engineering in 1980.
He was born in May 1957 and had his primary and secondary education in Ondo State. Thereafter, he proceeded to The Polytechnic Ibadan where he graduated as a mechanical engineering in 1980.
At The polytechnic, he began his political journey, as he was greatly involved in students' politics and unionism, serving as the speaker of the Students' Representative Council between 1977 and 1978. It was at the floor of the house during a parliamentary sitting that one of his colleagues stood up and proclaimed that “one day, you shall take up the mantle of leadership in this country because you have proved that you possess leadership qualities”.
Students were amazed at such declaration, not knowing that it was a divine utterance. Thirty-Three years proclamation became a reality as Ogbeni Rauf Adesoji Aregbesola was elected as the Governor of the State of Osun.
After school, he acquired a wealth of experience in the private sector, working at the Nigeria External Telecommunications and Lagos Airport Hotel, Ikeja before establishing his engineering services company, Aurora Nigeria Limited, in 1986. The company has handled numerous major projects for the public government and private sector in most states of the federation.
Politically, Aregbesola believes in welfarism, socialism and human rights ideology, which spurred him as one of the major participants in the demilitarization and pro-democracy struggle of the 1990. That was when Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu discovered him.
Soon, he became the Director of the Bola Ahmed Tinubu Campaign Organization (BATCO), a platform, which facilitated the electoral victory of Asiwaju as the governor of Lagos State in 1999. In 2003, he performed a similar feat by inaugurating the Independent Campaign Group (ICG), a platform, which retained the second term seat for Tinubu. However, during those periods, he was appointed as the Lagos State Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure between 1999 and 2007. One night, he slept and had a revelation about his greatness, and the task ahead to fulfil his destiny. Alas! He woke up and said; This is not a mere a dream, I shall see to its fulfillment.” And he began the move to take away pains and suffering, banish poverty, stop unemployment, promote development and human empowerment.
However, as the immediate successor (commissioner for works) to the Marwa administration, which was acclaimed by many as having performed in the area of roads, Aregbesola would have done well if he had continued the road rehabilitation and occasional construction of new roads. But he was unusual; he initiated and piloted a multibillion naira (N13b) massive road work (first of its kind at the same level) to open up the ever-congested Lagos roads that were then turning Lagos into a failed state. The impact of Rauf's effort will best be appreciated by those who knew what the road system/traffic congestion in Lagos was and what it became after his, eight years as a commissioner.
He initiated an all-round the year work crew on road repairs (Road Gang), road cleaning (Highway Managers) and drainage clearing (Drain Ducks) in Lagos.
Rauf Aregbesola's achievements as a commissioner were not by happenstance. These successes were hinged on another of his qualities, which is hard work. Years before his first public appointment, Aregbesola's punctuality at work had been commendable. He resumed very early and closed late at night. This is the practice he has brought to public offices. It was unusual for files to overstay in his office, and as such it became a pattern for everyone, who worked with him, to ensure the speedy movement of files. At the ministry, Aregbesola had no closing time, numerous were the days when he had to work until the next morning in office.
However, after serving meritoriously in Lagos State, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola discovered that his people in the State of Osun were suffering as a result of bad leadership and maladministration. There were unemployment, poverty, high mortality rate, environmental pollution and degradation and insecurity of lives. Ogbeni Rauf got back to Lagos and wept bitterly because he could not withstand the sympathetic condition of his people. Then, he remembered his call to serve humanity, he remembered his unfulfilled dreams and unfailing vision, including his pursuit to fulfill his destiny. He looked unto the sky and said: “My creator, I am ready, lead me through”.
Ogbeni Aregbesola, however, contested for the governorship of the State of Osun in the April 2007 general election on the platform of the then Action Congress (AC) and was victorious.
However, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) stole his mandate, but he reclaimed it through legal battle. Aregbesola went through the tribunal, until finally, the second appeal court on November 26, 2010, declared him the lawfully-elected governor of State of Osun and ordered him to be sworn in the next day. This is the work of the Almighty and it is so marvelous for all to witness.
Osun indigenes expected so much from Aregbesola and since assumption of office, he has lived up to expectation and today, his three years in office has been eventful.
His achievements were made possible because Ogbeni Rauf possesses an unmistakable aroma of distinction, passion, accomplishment-cum-exemplary leadership skill. These qualities distinguish him as an achiever, an actualizer, a visionary and an industrious icon.
He is humble, hardworking, generous, faithful, Godly and De-tribalised; making him a strong pillar. Aregbesola has distinguished himself as a man with purpose and foresight, full of dynamic resurgence and Ipinle Omoluabi has come to regard him as a huge blessing to this generation, a symbol of greatness and an undisputed stamp of brilliance.
His distinct achievements and exemplary legacies in the State of Osun will remain as an unbeatable record in the sands of time, while future generation would tend to imbibe such uncompromising and monumental leadership attributes.
Without doubt, Governor Aregbesola has acknowledged the need for national development with a zeal and unquenchable vision geared towards running a fulfilled and purposeful administration that is becoming a road map of excellent reference for tomorrow's leaders, poised for a huge responsive effort on infrastructural enhancement, educational improvement, economic growth, empowerment and developmental sustainability.
Aregbesola has set in a very passionate and value added pace in governance in order to deliver the dividends of democracy to the people and reaching the grassroots his integral action plans cut across the 30 local governments, including area offices. Aregbesola's developmental projects are embraced by the masses.
One of the secrets behind his success over the time is prayer and service to God. He is a devout Muslim and will never joke with his daily prayers. As humans, we all have what we believe in, and everyone tends to hold such belief with caution, including the doctrines involved. Ogbeni believes in the ability of the Almighty God and this has been his backbone right from time. Besides, his affiliation and support for the things of God cannot be easily wished away. He is tolerant religious-wise, as he supports all religions.
Other unknown secrets of Ogbeni Aregbesola could be traced to his unfailing sincerity to his wife, Sherifat and children. Some might not be aware, but a faithful husband, who keeps his marriage vows, ends up receiving abundant blessings and God's favour from his wife and the Almighty himself.
This is a lesson for adulterers. Ogbeni Aregbesola has always made it known that he is a man of discipline, integrity and nobility. He is not a politician, who flirts around or dishonours his marital vows. How many politicians can boast of such marital values?
He has carved a niche for himself and those who want to be successful must be ready to pass through some challenges in life and overcome them positively. Governor Aregbesola is not an ordinary man, he is a man of calibre, he has many good characters one can emulate. His words, carry knowledge, his works bear true leadership, his philantropism is unequalled, his thoughts are so divinely connected and his legacies are worthy of emulation.
What makes a man outstanding among his equals are the vision and pace he has set for himself in whatever field of endeavour he has chosen. Aregbesola has chosen the right path to walk, and no obstruction can prevent him from achieving his goals.
One other quality that Ogbeni possess is the spirit of forgiveness. By now, everyone thought that the leader of the past administration would have been languishing in prison after so much corruption, embezzlement and irregularities while in office, especially the barbaric roles he played during the electioneering period, which almost claimed the life of Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola.
Despite these, Aregbesola never thought of revenging, he left all to God, who is the best judge. How many politicians have forgiving spirit?
He has become a leader of great influence and has positively touched the lives of many and as well made a lot of people great today. There are many virtues of exemplary lifestyle one could emulate from. He is an Omoluabi to the core, a patriotic leader with an unusual passion, a man, whose characteristics define humility, frugality, tranquility, magnanimity, equity, sincerity and modesty. The virtues of prudence, courage, self-control and justice are embedded in him and his life portray true leadership that recognises, assimilates and promotes truth always.
Rauf Aregbesola is a man with ideas of perfection. He is a man of many parts. He is into public administration, sciences, laws of art, economics and cultural enrichment.
On assumption of office, Ogbeni Aregbesola postulated a six-point integral agenda and within three years, he has not failed in accomplishing the targeted task. For those who are still doubting, let us take you through the tremendous achievements of Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola-led administration within three years, as we highlight the score card of his tenure to ensure whether the six-point agenda is based on reality or fallacy.
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