Yoruba adage says: “Omode t’oba mo owo we, y’oba agba jeun”
Meaning “Any child that washes his hands properly shall eat with the elders”
I had the honor and privilege to have personal picture with the Oyo State commissioner for Youth and Sports, in the person of Honorable Seun Fakorede who was born on 22nd of May, 1992. He is a Nigerian entrepreneur, speaker and politician. At 27, he became the youngest commissioner in Nigeria’s history when he was appointed Commissioner for Youth and Sports in Oyo State in August 2019. He is the founder and director of non-profit Home Advantage Africa where he advocates for African patriotism among youths.
On Friday, September 4, 2020. I was opportune to be at the meeting held at Oyo State Secretariat, Agodi, Ibadan at the conference room of the Ministry of Education, Oyo State, where we had a round table talk with the Special Assistance to the state governor on students’ affairs, Hon. Ojeleye Victor and some other notable educational board members, regarding the issue of bursary.
At the meeting, Hon. Seun Fakorede really caught the attention of all attendees with his speech. He is an eloquent speaker who speaks English fluently like a native speaker of the language. He lectured we students to rebrand the indigenous groups and let things change in us in this 21st century, rather than to continue doing things roughly as it was in the past. He made us realize the importance of intellectuality in unionism. He sighted some examples of how being intellectually mannered makes people treat someone and benefits that bring closer to the person.
He let the students realized that many request were not granted or attended to by government or organization because they were not channelled appropriately. When request are appropriately made through the right channel, definitely, it would reach the expected destination and reaction shall follow and become favor to those that have requested, but if not, it’s zero result.
Although, the meeting ended there, not favoring the Oyo State students, so I couldn’t meet him that day for personal talks, save another mission I went there for, (journalism). Despite not pleased with the outcome of the meeting as we left unfavored, the personality of Hon. Seun Fakorede, his level of intelligence, his vocabularies and his achievement at his 20s remains on my precious mind, I dropped the mind of the main business we went there for and hold till now, all I unconsciously learned from him on that faithful day.
One of his quotes I will always remember is, “Fight when necessary, but fight intellectually.”
On the following day, Saturday, September 5th, 2020. The Federation of Ibadan Students’ Union FIBSU national council held their 2020 inauguration day at the Mapo Hall of Oja’ba, Ibadan and the same Seun Fakorede was also invited as the chief speaker of the day with the topic: “STUDENTS UNIONISM IN NIGERIA: A Race for Patriotism Over Self Interest”.
At the event, he again showcased his intelligence and well mannerism. His speech also catched the attention of all the audience there and he was really applauded for his brilliant and fantabulous presentation, despite being prepared and delivered in English language.
In his speech, while addressing the students at the occasion on unionism and the need for intellectuality in their acts, the Seun Fakorede narrated an event that happened during his undergraduate days, then in Obafemi Awolowo University, where he (known as gentle guy) contested for the post of Students’ Union president on campus (known for the rough, tough and rugged people). He wasn’t vote in because people believed he wouldn’t do best on the chair but rather be controlled by the school management.
His team didn’t win the election and to the great surprise of his team members and those that won, the Seun Fakorede encouraged his members to buy drinks and also they joined the winning party to celebrate their victory. What a big lesson.
Little wonder, today, the Seun Fakorede in his twenty eight, is sitting in the position known for the elders, not in the OAU campus again, but in the whole Oyo State after he had graduated. He is now the Oyo State commissioner for Youth and sports and the youngest commissioner in Nigeria’s history.
It was at the event, I asked to have a personal picture with him and he granted my permission with full concentration. I love the man for his coolness and calmness, so loving, supportive and accommodating. I congratulate our able governor of Oyo State, Engineer Oluseyi Abiodun Makinde for choosing the right choice that has contributed a lot to the growth of Oyo as far as Youths and sports is concerned in the state. He accommodates we youth, even into his own office and promised to still be there for us all time we need him.
Mudathir Hayatullahi Folorunsho is a native of Ibadan, Oyo State and 200 level English Language undergraduate of Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto.
mudathirhayatullahi@gmail.com
0703157477
