…And Now Prof. Babalola Borisade
For me it has been a week of losses. First it was Dipo Famakinwa, and then Senator Isiaka Adeleke. Just as I was about reconciling with the reality of these losses my uncle in law, mentor and friend, Prof Babalola Borisade passed on at 71 . This was yesterday. Tola and I were devastated. Prof Borisade loved us and we adored him. He was a good man.
A very strategic mind he had. An uncommon brilliance who would have held his own anywhere in the world. He was an all rounder. As he spewed out political theories and strategies so did he sketch out drawing of technological solutions to some intractable problems . He made a first class in Electrical and Electronics Engineering from the then prestigious and foremost University of Ife.
He quit academics after becoming a Professor to become a political strategist for Moshood Abiola, General Musa Yaradua , President Olusegun Obasanjo and until his death, Alhaji Abubakar Atiku. Although he was of the conservative hue and I a progressive, we were very close and held each other in mutual respect.
Our political leanings confluenced like the Benue and Niger rivers two years ago when he abandoned the conservative PDP and joined the progressive APC. He was my sounding board for all the political decisions I have taken. Even when he was in PDP he supported my Senate aspiration to the hilt. He provided hints as well as resources.
A clear minded patriot, Prof. always ruminated about how to solve the myriads of problems facing Nigeria. Till death, he kept churning out unsolicited papers on how Nigeria could be better managed and passing same to those in vantage positions to make things work.
Unfortunately his thoughts and ideas were clearly beyond his time . When he was made Minister of Aviation, I sat down with him and we dissected the sector. We agreed it was decayed but we disagreed on what to do . While I advised he call a press conference and alert the nation on the rot confronting him in the sector, he said no, he would rather confront the problem and solve it and allow his work to speak for him. I told him the world will not know when things begin to go wrong. He began to work hard at solving the problems keeping sleepless nights and traveling around the nation airports as well as tapping on the ideas of great aviators around the world. As he began putting the changes in place two planes dropped from the sky and the condemnation came in torrents. I saw him cry and agonize about the fate of the victims and the system that will not allow him move fast enough to effect changes.
Borisade was such a thorough human being who worked hard to make sure things are properly done to achieve great results. He was always at his desk and hardly socialized, a reason why it took three appearances in the Senate before he could be confirmed Minister of Education. I was part of the lobbying effort then. The refrains of the Senators was that he never honored invitations nor socialize . Professor Borisade was always at his desk trying his hands at ideas and searching for solutions. He dissected problems with ease and in his home office churn out brilliant papers on any subject or issues with ease a barber shaves a head.
Today in his home town of Usi in Ekiti State the people honored him like no one ever has been honored. They shut down the markets and shops and every individual living in the town trooped to the street and came out in procession in appreciation of the services rendered by this man who puts others before himself.
Journey mercies Prof.
