A great leader is a force for good. A leader inspires people and helps people reach their goals. Each time I meet His Excellency, Dr. John Kayode Fayemi, I take away a priceless lesson. I walked in on him while he was finishing his breakfast on boxing day last year. In front of him was “Tough Love: My Story of What Is Worth Fighting For” by United States former UN Ambassador And National Security Adviser – Susan Rice. I said; Ọ̀gá, ṣé ẹ tún ń kàwé nígbàtí ẹ ń jẹun ní?. He replied; “ìwé kíkà ni mo fi máa ń relax jàre”. (reading is the way I relax). The book was more than half way read. I walked away from where he was, with the pearly words of Ralph Waldo Emerson ringing in my ears – “If we encounter a man of rare intellect, we should ask him what books he reads.” To understand Dr. Fayemi and the workings of his fertile mind, is to see how he improves himself through learning.
Your Excellency, you were molded as a great leader through good breeding, great education, exposure and continuous learning. Your development as a leader advances the arguments that leaders are born and leaders can be made. Through your days in Radio Kudirat, through your first term as governor, your stint as Minister of the Federal Republic and your second coming to the saddle as governor of Ekiti; you have shown clear vision through innovative approaches to governance, courage, integrity, honesty, humility and clear focus.
As the Yoruba face crises of values degradation, underdevelopment and stasis; I recall the powerful words from the book of Jeremiah 1 vs 5: “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.” You were born to lead your people and I’m happy you are leading and teaching by example.
Your Excellency, your capacity for continuous personal development through learning and self-reflection, stands you in good stead as the leader of your people. As a man in public life, you are more than an inspiration given your far-sighted economic policies for development and growth and social protection for the vulnerable. Happy birthday Sir. It is refreshing that you are only 55. Your age, determination and leadership has given hope to those of us who yearn for intellectual leadership, the leadership needed to make us part of the fourth industrial revolution. We welcome the liberating realization that with the right leader, with optimism, integrity and a plan, we can Kickstart development and be on the path to hypermodernity. Long may you live in good health. Happy birthday Sir.