J.K. Fayemi

JOHN KAYODE FAYEMI: A Smart Politician and An Accomplished Public Servant 

By

Seye Adetunmbi, 9/2/2025

It is a thing of joy that Dr John Kayode Fayemi (JKF) gets to the sixth floor gracefully and delightful for me to join all his well wishers to celebrate him on his diamond age jubilee. His political career and public service profile stand him out among his peers. I am glad that he has done very well for himself, his constituency and people close to him. I am also happy to celebrate him because of his accomplishments in the political arena.

It is not everybody given the opportunity to explore their potentials, and it is not everyone who has chances to excel puts it into optimal use. It is always spirit lifting when prospect meets capacity and turns out well to the delight of all. Unequivocally,  JKF has done very well in this regard, with his talent and the available chances at his disposal. He warmed himself to the progressive arm of Nigerian politics because of his activities on democratic initiatives after the annulment of June 12 election in 1993.

He distinguished himself as a smart politician in Nigeria as a two-term governor of Ekiti-State and onetime Federal Minister in Nigeria. He became Chairman of the Governors’ Forum in 2018 and continues to do his various constituencies proud with his integrated political activities in Nigeria. No doubt, he has done his peers, supporters and a wide range of other associates proud to the glory of God.

At one point or the other, I have had cause to associate with his political aspiration over the years since 2007. I have also had reasons to write to either endorse him, celebrate his accomplishments and associate with him or stand by him publicly on some of his choices and decisions to exercise his civic right. He earned my modest political support and I am okay with the little done in my corner.

Certainly, Erelu Bisi Fayemi, his beloved resourceful wife complemented him in all fronts. She added value to the various electioneering engagements of JKF. Certainly, behind and always on the side of a fruitful husband is a wife of substance. "Iyawo rere l'odede oko". This is what Bisi Fayemi is to her husband. She effectively and commendably rallied the support of Ekiti women folks for her beloved husband.

Kayode and I met at Christ’s School, Ado-Ekiti in 1979/80 session, when he was in Form V and I was in the Higher School Certificate class. That he is now a public figure may not surprise his classmates because he was visible among them, due his plausible extra curricular activities then. Subsequent to my convening Ekitipanupo Forum on March 6, 2005, he was among the early active members. Naturally, the forum supported him when he started his career as a politician in 2007 and I associated with his campaign when he was elected to office in 2010 after a protracted legal struggle at the election tribunal. His second term bid was not an exception too when I added my humble endorsement voice.

There is something also unique about him, his generousity. His kindheartedness is commendable. He assisted people close to him who needed one help or the other. Of course, he is a jolly good fellow and fun to be with in his elements. 

It is gladening to welcome him to the 6th floor. Happy 60th birthday to you my brother and friend.

E si un ka se o.

Ora re a le.

U a gbo, u a to.

U a mo pau l'ori,

U m'eriki j'obi.

May God’s grace continue to be sufficient for you in Jesus Christ’s name. Amen.

DR JOHN OLUKAYODE FAYEMI IN PERSPECTIVE

By, 

Seye Adetunmbi, 10/1/2022

Not everybody is given opportunities to explore his/her potential and it is not everyone who has chances to excel puts it into optimal use. It is always spirit lifting when prospect meets capacity and turns out well to the delight of all. One remarkable person who has done very well in this regard, with his talent, the available chances at his disposal and stands out as a politician in Nigeria is Dr John Kayode Fayemi (JKF), the two-term governor of Ekiti-State and onetime Federal Minister in Nigeria. 

He did his peers, supporters and wide range of other associates proud to the glory of God. I have had cause to associate with his political aspiration over the years since 2007 till date. I have also had cause to write to either endorse him, celebrate his accomplishments and associate with or stand by him publicly on his choices and decision to exercise his civic right. For instance, mine was like a kind of a lone voice when he decided to contest for the second term in office as governor of Ekiti-State in 2019.

No doubt, he posed a threat to his opponents because he was coming as a serving federal minister among his other strengths in terms of a formidable political structure on the ground. One of my interjections then was written on the 17th of March, 2018 in Ekitipanupo Forum and it is quoted thus:

Quote

Who is Afraid of Fayemi's 2nd Term?

What the debunked statement credited to a faceless group points to is the fact that some people are really afraid of the coming back of Fayemi. The question I have for the opposition of his comeback is: “is it the average Ekiti man that doesn’t want Fayemi back or a party person or a political jobber that took offense for not getting enough from his administration?” Who are the aggrieved ones in the real sense of it that translate to a generalization that Ekiti people don’t want him? At what point are the political appointees who worked in Fayemi administration and other elected politicians that detest him so much constitute the equivalence of the majority of the electorate in Ekiti? At the rate his resentment was being propagated, it would only boost his popularity and cause rational ones and others who truly mean well for the people to queue behind him for the good of the masses and not to buy into the bitterness of losers who are apparently self-serving. As a matter of fact, I once wrote that all the gang-up “does not hold water” for a man who is most strategically placed to pick his party ticket and win the general election under this dispensation. He should throw himself to the contest and prove his detractors wrong. It is also obvious that if he doesn’t run, whoever he supports at the primary election, stands the best chance to pick the party ticket. This is why smart APC aspirants need to be diplomatic in any mad rush to work against Kayode Fayemi or being too visible as his elenini. You all need yourselves if you want to tame the structure of Oshoko in Ekiti politics. Let this man be, to exercise his rights like other aspirants if the political contest is about the common man in Ekiti. Let every interested person go to the race with an open mind while the political party stakeholders conduct the shadow election transparently. This will make the outcome of the election to heal the wounds with a proclamation of “no victor, no vanquished”. Don’t ask me who is my most preferred aspirant because it doesn’t matter now? We must be honorable enough to be candid with ourselves if we truly desire progress in our beloved Ekiti-State. Just let us think Ekiti first, then we will get our politics right. 

Unquote

This intervention generated reactions from different quarters and I had to make the statement below in response to someone who listed all the categories of the supposed aggrieved Ekiti people and I quote: “Let me state here that I received phone calls and messages from some people on my comment, their reactions were for and against. In as much as I would like to avoid commenting publicly on the politics of Ekiti governorship aspirants until all the political parties’ flag bearers emerge, I can only thank this man for confirming my notion that it is not an average Ekiti man that is disgruntled and hate the guts of Fayemi but a sect of few APC members. All the group of people that he listed are not the ones exhibiting their bitterness in WhatsApp groups, Facebook and other various internet forums like the person who wrote the referred statement...... Anyway, it is obvious that the real enemies of APC are within the party itself and not in PDP, with the kind of deep-seated resentment and acrimony shown publicly against one of their shining stars that has so many projects to point at in virtually all Ekiti communities during his administration.

    What a shame! Fayemi, like any mortal is not perfect, including his haters, detractors and those who are desperate to fly governorship flag of APC at all cost. May God deliver Ekiti masses from the hands of our politicians. Kete Ekiti, in ku iroju.” It came to pass that he won the election and I joined other well-meaning Ekiti people to celebrate him for winning the primary election of All Progressives Congress for the governorship seat of Ekiti-State as the party flag bearer in July 2018. It was indeed a challenging tour to victory on the 12th of May 2018 at the general elections and yet another well-earned success story.

    In his usual omoluabi and magnanimous nature, he counselled his supporters not pay back his detractors in their own coins and charged them to treat opponents with decorum. As the winner of the Ekiti State APC governorship primary election, Dr Kayode Fayemi warned his supporters against treating his co-contestants with disrespect, saying that they are party leaders that have contributed in no small measure to grow the party. He said all the aspirants were worthy Ekiti sons and daughters who were qualified to lead the state and perform better than the then occupier of the governorship seat.

    Erelu Bisi Fayemi, his beloved resourceful wife complemented him in all fronts. She added value to the electioneering of JKF, as he is popularly called. Certainly, behind and always on the side of a fruitful husband is a wife of substance. This is what Erelu Bisi Fayemi is to her husband, Dr Kayode Fayemi, eni amin ororo Ilufemiloye I of Ekiti-State. She continues to rally the support of Ekiti women folks for her beloved husband. Kudos to Erelu worldwide.

     John Olukayode Fayemi (PhD), is a native of Isan-Ekiti, he was born on the 9th of February in 1965. He is a product of Christ’s School, Ado-Ekiti, University of Lagos and King’s College, London. He warmed himself to the progressive arm of Nigerian politics because of his activities on democratic initiatives after the annulment of June 12 election in 1993. He became Chairman of the Governors’ Forum in 2018 and continues to do his various constituencies proud with his integrated political activities in Nigeria.

Seye Adetunmbi and Dr Kayode Fayemi in January 2021

We met at Christ’s School, Ado-Ekiti in 1979/80 session, when he was in Form V and I came for Higher School Certificate Course. Subsequent to my convening Ekitipanupo Forum in 2005, he was among the early active members. Naturally, the forum supported him when he started his career as a politician in 2007 and I associated with his campaign when he was elected to office in 2010 after a protracted legal struggle at the election tribunal. I must acknowledge his support of my published books and generousity at every opportunity. Virtually all my books are in his family library; I have always made copies available to him and Erelu. May God’s grace continue to be sufficient for him in Jesus Christ’s name. Amen

EKITI ROADS AND US

By, Dr Kayode Fayemi

There are complaints about the general state of roads in Ekiti and those leading to it from neighbouring states. People share horrible travel experiences every time, especially about the Ado-Akure road. Why is this so?

"Let’s start by saying the road infrastructure in our country today is not in the best of shape. Ekiti is not an island and we have our own share of bad roads. But I must also say that a lot of the roads in question suffer from the invidious confusion brought about by our unique federalism. The major roads that people complain about in Ekiti State today – Ado-Akure road is a federal road adjoining two state capitals; Ado-Ifaki-Otun road is also a federal road; Osun boundary to Aramoko to Ado-Ekiti, also a federal road; Ado-Ekiti to Ikare via Agbado and Aisegba is also a federal road.

Virtually all state roads in Ekiti are fine. But we have also intervened in the federal roads. I will give you the unique example of Ado-Akure road that you asked about. When I assumed office in 2018, I was very, very agitated about the condition of the road, and I took it up with my friend, the president of the African Development Bank, Akinwumi Adesina, who had also travelled on that road, when he came to receive an honorary doctorate degree from Afe Babalola University, and he agreed to help us.

Of course, this was going to be a request for credit from the African Development Bank, and we did everything that was necessary: we produced the feasibility report, design of the road, the environmental impact assessment, among others. At the time we were going to start, I informed the federal minister of works: ‘We want to work on your road. We have support from the African Development Bank. Should we go ahead to do it?’ If you know Minister Fashola very well, he’s a serious-minded individual. He’s not given to emotional attachment.

He wrote back to me and said, ‘Governor, leave our road alone. If you touch our road, we’ll not pay you any refund.’ I said that’s okay, and I asked if the Ekiti and Ondo governments could toll the road to recoup whatever had been expended on it to pay the loan that we would have gotten from the African Development Bank. The response was: ‘No, don’t toll our road.’ But I didn’t leave it at that, I said, ‘Tunde, you’re my brother. You’ve travelled on this road yourself. Are you going to take it over? I’ll ask the African Development Bank to give the money to the Federal Government of Nigeria, and he agreed. He said, ‘Okay, let’s work on that. We’d award the road.’ True to his promise, the road was awarded in 2019 or 2020 to Dantata and Sawoe.

As with many roads awarded by the Federal Ministry of Works, there are funding challenges. It’s 18 months now that, that road has been awarded. The AfDB in principle agreed to the transfer from Ekiti to the federal government, but they insisted that due process must be followed. Everything I’m telling you has taken the better part of 24 months – back and forth. Eventually, we had to recommission the feasibility study, and we had to bring road specialists from South Africa. Ekiti bore all the cost.

In fact, about a month or two ago, I just sent the minister the final environmental impact assessment. He read it and got back to me. Meanwhile, the three of us: the Federal ministry of works, the senior director of African Development Bank in Nigeria and myself, are having regular meetings on this. Eventually, the money will be released. But the average user of that road does care about this explanation I’ve given you. They are not even aware of the difference between federal and state roads. ‘I have a governor here; he’s not doing his job. Period!’ And this is happening all over the country.

But you can also understand the reluctance of the federal to refund claims by state governments for their work on federal roads. Over the last three years, I would say, the (President Muhammadu) Buhari administration had done an unprecedented thing: all the federal roads constructed since Obasanjo’s administration, Yar’Adua and Jonathan, up to Buhari, constructed by states, no president paid for those roads. No refunds. The Buhari administration must have paid close to 1 trillion naira as refund to states, and it was on the basis of this that I believe the Federal Executive Council took the decision that the federal government will no longer pay for roads not approved prior to the work being done.

So that’s the challenge we’re dealing with. It’s a challenge that we have to address. For our people, the primary interest is for the roads to be fixed. What’s also more difficult? You talked about Ekiti roads, which are suffering from what you can call double jeopardy. Ekiti State roads are some of the best roads in the South West and they are being damaged by heavy-duty trucks using Ekiti to connect the northern parts of the country. That’s part of the challenge that we’re dealing with. It’s one that’s not going to go away in a hurry, but we must address it. We must meet our people at the point of need. I’ve just awarded one of the federal roads now, in spite of the fact that I know Ekiti may not get a refund. We’ve decided we have to fix it. That’s all we’re doing in the larger interest of the people.

A

INAUGURATION OF GOVERNORSHIP TRANSITION COMMITTEE FOR DR KAYODE FAYEMI

FAYEMI COLLECTED CERTIFICATE OF RETURN

On July 18th 2018, Dr Kayode Fayemi was formally presented the Certificate of Return from INEC in Ekiti-State, a symbol of the duly elected governor of Ekiti-State in the July 14 election.

VICTORY OF FAYEMI AS GOVERNOR-ELECT BRINGS JOY TO EKITI PEOPLE

Ekiti people in a spontaneous manner trooped out to celebrate the victory Dr Kayode Fayemi as the newly elected Governor of Ekiti-State.

Ado-Ekiti

Ifaki-Ekiti

LEREKANSI: FAYEMI - ELECTION OF RESTORATION

President Buhari said: 

"Ekiti State people are dear to me. My earliest interactions with people of this State dates back several decades ago, and I have always found them to be very intelligent and honourable people. For those of us with a background in the military, we have come to know officers and men of Ekiti origin to be of exemplary courage, discipline and integrity...The Ekiti people are a politically aware and well informed electorate. They cannot be brainwashed or deceived.....The whole country looks to Ekiti to do the right thing by voting for the APC candidate in the election this Saturday, July 14, as you commence the journey to Reclaiming Your Land and Restoring Your Values. I present to you the APC Gubernatorial candidate, Dr. Kayode Fayemi. VOTE for him on Saturday, 14th July, 2018 Dr. Kayode Fayemi served as Minister of Mines and Steel Development and recorded series of achievements in the Ajaokuta Steel Company. And with his experience as one-term Governor of the State, a meaningful development is guaranteed...DON’T WASTE YOUR VOTE. VOTE FOR DEVELOPMENT. VOTE for APC-Dr. Kayode Fayemi"

IFAKI APC HELD SOLIDARITY RALLY FOR JKF ON 8/07/18

Erelu Bisi Fayemi Adds Value to the Electioneering Campaign of JKF

Behind and always on the side of a fruitful husband is a wife of substance. This is what Erelu Bisi Fayemi is to her husband, Dr Kayode Fayemi, eni amin ororo Ilufemiloye 1 of Ekiti-State. She continues to rally the support of Ekiti women folks for her beloved husband. Kudos to Erelu world wide.

CONSULTATIONS OF DR KAYODE FAYEMI WITH VARIOUS GROUPS OF EKITI STAKEHOLDERS

The flag bearer of APC, Dr Kayode Fayemi continued his consultation sessions with interest groups on July 5, 2018 in Ado-Ekiti

Ekiti Afenifere

Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC)

NUPENG

JKF CAMPAGN TRAIL IN IKERE, ISE-ORUN, OTUN

Ikere-Ekiti

Ise/Orun-Ekiti

Otun-Ekiti

Otunba Ayo Arise Hosted His Oye Ward... All for Fayemi

IFAKI PEOPLE FOR FAYEMI

The campaign trail of Dr Kayode Fayemi got to Ifaki today, June 21st 2018. The hometown of Chief Segun Oni and Senator Olubunmi Adetunmbi was agog for the Ekiti governorship candidate to beat at the July 14 election.

Ilogbo

COURTESY CALL ON EKITI OBAS BY VICE PRESIDENT OSIBAJO

After the resounding outing of APC mega rally of June 19th 2018 in Ado-Ekiti, Professor Yem Osibajo, the Vice-President of Federal Republic of Nigeria paid a courtesy call on Ewi of Ado-Ekiti and some Ekiti Obas on June 20th 2018

FAYEMI RECEIVED APC FLAG AS EKITI-STATE GOVERNORSHIP CANDIDATE

The Vice-President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Professor Yemi Osibajo formally presented the flag of APC to Dr John Kayode Fayemi as the governorship candidate and Chief Bisi Egbeyemi as the Deputy at Ado-Ekiti Stadium on June 19th 2018.

Some Takeaways vintage songs

Prince Adeyeye sang:

E so fun Fayemi

Ko wa tu wa sile

L’owo Fayose.....

Ko wa tu wa sile

Chief Jide Awe sang:

Kole Kole,

Kole s’ori apata,

Ile iyanrin, a ba yanrin lo

Kole s’ori apata

Segun Oni sang:

Oni oro ku mo l’ori

Ko se ba sere mo

Ukele gbangba 

Omi obe sororo

Gba a a

He also said:

Ibi kan ba igbe kan i pele, se na i ko li be...

Prof Osinbajo sang:

Ki lo mu to mi wa, oun rere lo mu to mi wa...

Otunba Niyi Adebayo said:

There will be presence of soldiers and police on the day of election to ensure a free and fair election.

It was an outsanding outing!

Congratulations to JKF and APC, victory is apparently imminent.

May God keep us all beyond July 14

THINGS LOOKING UP WITH THE ELECTIONEERING OF DR KAYODE FAYEMI
The campaign trail of Dr Fayemi continues to swell daily during his tours of Ekiti towns and villages.

Ijero


Okemesi


Erio

CONGRATULATIONS TO DR KAYODE FAYEMI ON HIS EMERGENCE AS THE FLAG BEARER OF APC IN EKITI-STATE

Ekitipanupo initiative has joined other well meaning Ekiti people to celebrate Dr John Kayode Fayemi for winning the primary election of All Progressives Congress (APC) for the governorship seat of Ekiti-State in July 2018 as the Party Flag Bearer. It was indeed a challenging tour to victory on May 12th, 2018 and yet another well earned success story.

    In his usual omoluabi and magnanimous nature, he has counselled his supporters not pay back his detractors in their own coins and treat opponents with decorum. As the winner of the Ekiti State APC governorship primary election, Dr Kayode Fayemi, has warned his supporters against treating his co-contestants with disrespect, saying they are party leaders that have contributed in no small measure to grow the party.

He said all the aspirants are worthy Ekiti sons and daughters who are qualified to lead the state and perform better than the present occupier of the governorship seat, Governor Ayodele Fayose.

Speaking with his crowd of supporters at his campaign office at about midnight after the Tanko Al-Makura Election Committee declared him the winner of the governorship primary, Fayemi warned his supporters against carrying over pre-primary hostilities in the treatment of his fellow contestants.

"We cannot all win in an election, but one thing I know is that all the contestants are eminent Ekiti sons and daughters who are qualified to govern the state better than the present occupier of the office.

"Therefore, as we go into the election, we must see ourselves as members of the same family who deserve mutual respect.

"Note that the opposition tried all tricks to cause maximum damage to our unter-personal relationships but they failed to achieve their aim as manifested in the primary we conducted today.

"I want to plead with you not to help them to achieve their aim.

"We have a big job to do to reclaim our state and that should be your focus so that we can succeed in the restoration of our dignity and provide good life for our people again," Fayemi said.

HIS ACCEPTANCE SPEECH

THE ACCEPTANCE SPEECH BY H.E. Dr. Kayode Fayemi, CON at the All Progressives Congress (APC) Gubernatorial Primaries Saturday, May 12, 2018 | Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State, Nigeria

Protocols

Your Excellencies, Distinguished Party Leaders, Honourable Delegates, Members of the press, Observers, Distinguished ladies and gentlemen..                                                                                      

·     This is the day the Lord has made, and we rejoice and are glad in it.Today, the people have spoken and their voice has been heard resoundingly.

·     What we have witnessed today, is one of the essential elements in the electoral cycle in any democracy – the exercise of the collective will over the aspirations of many – the emergence of the candidate of our great party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the July 14, 2018 gubernatorial election in Ekiti state, out of many eminently qualified aspirants.

·     Indeed, it has been a hard fought contest, and I am extremely humbled that our delegates have counted me worthy of the honour of bearing the banner of our great party. This victory is not mine alone, it belongs to all Ekiti people who desire a greater tomorrow.

·     The free, fair and transparent process we have witnessed today is a testament to our great party’s democratic credentials that guarantees a level playing field for everyone aspiring to high office. This is a feat we must all be proud of.

·     But the battle has only just begun – the contest to Reclaim Our Land and Restore Our Values. The fight to ensure our great party comes out victorious in the July 14, 2018 general election.

·     Your Excellences, Distinguished Party Leaders, Honourable Delegates, Members of the press, Observers, Distinguished ladies and gentlemen. Without a doubt, Ekiti is in critical need of rescue. It is imperative that we urgently commence the task of purging ourselves of the bad reputation we have earned in recent years and restore good governance to the state..

·     In my valedictory address in 2014, I said that future administrations would be judged by the standards we set during our time in office. It should be clear to any observer that over the past four years, Ekiti has retreated from the progressive values that we espoused in office and our grand ideals of human development.

·     We have seen a cynical approach to politics that exploits the penury of the poor and the vulnerability of the marginalised. We have seen the entrenchment of the disdain for elders, traditional institutions, and all forms of constituted authorities.

·     Instead of continuing the quest for freedom from ignorance, disease and want, what we have seen is a paradigm that deepens captivity to these ills. In short, the last four years has called into question all that we stand for as a people. The timeless values of honour, dignity, nobility and civility encapsulated in the Omoluabi ethos have been eroded.

·     We must resume the march to break the yoke of ignorance that keeps our people down; liberate them from ill-health and other limitations that restrain them from achieving their potentials; and break the stranglehold of poverty which keeps people from living full creative lives.

·     In practical and policy terms, what this means is that the APC administration to be sworn in on October 15, 2018, by the grace of God, must resume good governance that was cut short four years ago, and once again prioritise social investments in education, healthcare and other social protection programmes that reduce the cost of living, while raising the quality of life.

·     In all electoral contests, tempers often rise and nerves are frayed. I therefore humbly appeal to all my supporters, and to my co-contestants and their supporters, to let go of past differences as we forge ahead to a new dawn.

·     I furthermore very respectfully request the support of my brothers and sisters – co-contestants in this primary election. I plead that we put our differences aside and work together as one strong and indivisible party for success in the upcoming general election.

·     I would be counting on all my co-contestants to share their wealth of experience, ideas and knowledge in furtherance of our collective desire to make Ekiti great again.

·     As I have said ever so often, all those who contested the primary election today are eminently qualified to be Governor. I salute your courage and congratulate you all for enriching the process. However, together we are greater and stronger than the sum of our individual parts, and no individual, myself inclusive, is bigger than our great party.

·     As I conclude, I must seize this opportunity to express my gratitude to members of the National Working Committee of our great party, and all those that have contributed to the free, fair and transparent conduct of this exercise.

·     I also thank our party’s national leaders, especially those from the southwest that have worked behind the scenes to ensure this process is as free of rancour and strife as possible. We count on them following through with their promise to reunite and strengthen the cohesion of all stakeholders in our great party in Ekiti state in the coming days.

·   Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, I thank you, once again. Alale Ekiti a gbe a o.

H.E Dr. Kayode Fayemi.

JKF JOINS EKITI GOVERNORSHIP RACE

SEEING IS BELIEVING
He is actually on the match again....JKF is the man o! Apparently he has a considerable number of committed followers that want him back and this cannot be wished away.

THE SECOND TERM BID OF DR KAYODE FAYEMI

Dr Kayode Fayemi is set to contest for second term, the large turnout of the party EXCO members at wards, senatorial and state levels in Isan-Ekiti where he hosted them attest to his popularity in Ekiti APC. Apparently, the Federal Minister is on top of his party politics.

VIEWS OF EKITIPANUPO INITIATIVE (EI) ON THE MEETING HOSTED BY JKF IN ISAN-EKITI

Apparently, the federal minister is the leader of Ekiti APC with good acceptance and a considerable followership by the party leaders at ward to state levels. This is contrary to the impression in the social media by devotees of some of the governorship aspirants. Also it confirms what Okan wrote about sometime ago that it is some chieftains that have issues and not the teeming grass root APC members that showed up in Isan-Ekiti in response to the invitation of JKF.

These pictures underscore the reality of a politician on top of the game in his political party. Perhaps this explains the anxiety among the opposition camp within APC and the kind of campaign they are running against him. It looks like no aspirant stands to beat Fayemi if he contests to fly the flag of APC for a second term. This is why all sorts of ploys are being deployed to stop or discourage him to formally declare.

While wishing all the APC aspirants good luck, it wouldn’t be surprising if a considerable number of the supporters switch allegiance to the camp that picks the ticket. It is all a matter of time for the principals of various opposition groups to realize that they are on their own if they don’t play pre-primary politics with discretion after a winner finally emerges.

EI (Ekitipanupo Initiative)

Seye Adetunmbi wrote on March 17th, 2018 in Ekitipanupo Forum:

WHO IS AFRAID OF FAYEMI'S 2ND TERM?

What the debunked statement credited to a faceless group points to is the fact that some people are really afraid of the coming back of Fayemi.

 The question I have for the opposition of his come back is: ”is it the average Ekiti man that doesn’t want Fayemi back or a party person or political jobber that took offense for not getting enough from his administration?”

   Who are the aggrieved ones in the real sense of it that translate to a generalization that Ekiti people don’t want him? At what point are the political appointees who worked in Fayemi administration and other elected politicians that detest him so much constitute the equivalence of the majority of the electorate in Ekiti?

   At the rate his resentment is being propagated, it will only boost his popularity and cause rational ones and other who truly mean well for the people to want to queue behind him for the good of the masses and not to buy into the resentment of losers that are apparently self serving. 

   As a matter of fact, I once said it that all the gang-up that “does not hold water” for a man who is most strategically placed to pick his party ticket and win the general election under this dispensation, to throw himself to the contest and prove his detractors wrong. It is also obvious that if he doesn’t run, whoever he supports at the primary election, stands the best chance to pick the party ticket. This is why smart APC aspirants need to be diplomatic in any mad rush to work against Kayode Fayemi or being too visible as his elenini. You all need yourselves if you want to tame the structure of Oshoko in Ekiti politics.

   Let this man be, to exercise his rights like other aspirants if the political contest is about the common man in Ekiti. Let every interested person go to the race with an open mind while the political party stakeholders conduct the shadow election transparently. This will make the outcome of the election to heal the wounds with a proclamation of “no victor, no vanquished”.

   Don’t ask me who is my most preferred aspirant because it doesn’t matter now? We must be honorable enough to be candid with ourselves if we truly desire progress in our beloved Ekiti-State.

   Just let us think Ekiti first, then we will get our politics right.

His intervention generated Reactions from different quarters and made the statement below in response to someone who listed all the categories of the supposed aggrieved Ekiti people:

Let me state here that I received phone calls and messages from some people on my comment, their reactions were for and against.

In as much as I would like to avoid commenting publicly on the politics of Ekiti governorship aspirants until the party flag bearers emerge, l can only thank this man for confirming my notion that it is not an average Ekiti man that is disgruntled and hate the guts of Fayemi but a sect of few APC members. All the group of people that he listed are not the ones exhibiting their bitterness in WhatsApp groups, Facebook and other various internet forums like the person who wrote the above quoted statement.

Apparently the fellow doesn’t know me and I don’t know him too because I don’t drive exotic cars in Lagos with Okanlomo plate number

Anyway, it is obvious that the real enemies of APC are within the party itself and not in PDP, with the kind of deep seated resentment and acrimony shown publicly against one of their shining stars that has so many projects to point at in virtually all Ekiti communities during his administration. What a shame! Fayemi like any mortal is not perfect including his haters, detractors and those that are desperate to fly governorship flag APC at all cost.

May God deliver Ekiti masses from the hands of our politicians.

Ekitikete ku iroju.

1

Bonding and Reaching Out

D. O. Adetunmbi 1919-1990

Harmony and Honesty Personified: Chief D. O. Adetunmbi
Celebrating Centenary of birth 1919-2019

By

Seye Adetunmbi

Chief D. O. Adetunmbi went to the national congress of the Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT) in Port Harcourt as the head of delegates of the old Ondo-State. The position of 1^st Vice-President was zoned to the Western Nigeria and the two candidates from Oyo and Ogun could not agree. There was crisis at the national convention; he intervened in his usual leadership character. He appealed to the warring contestants and advised them on how imperative for them to be able to reach a common understanding, after all they were fellow Yoruba brothers and he quietly went back to his seat. Thereafter, the delegates said that the “apostle of harmony” who resolved the differences was the person they wanted to occupy the leadership position. After several persuasions he humbly accepted their request and was elected the 1^st National Vice-President of NUT in 1976.

   Also after executing a project for the Federal Government of Nigeria, through the Benin-Owena River Basing Development Authority at the instance of his community, his payment was protracted which involved traveling from Ekiti to Benin-City several times. The project brought him more headaches than gain; when the balance due to him was paid, it came with an over-payment. Naturally, he returned the excess of an over payment to the purse of Federal Government of Nigeria. The accountant said to him: “Baba why didn’t you go home with your cheque? "I won’t be able to sleep"; Baba responded. After the Benin-Owena River Basin Authority official got to know that the old man who returned the cheque was an Ekiti man, he said; “no wonder”. 
     Ekiti Anglican Diocese saw him as someone who did the nation and indeed Ekiti people proud for a rare exhibition of honesty. It was a special commendation, with gifts of one Holy Bible and a wrist watch from Ekiti Diocese at the synod held in Aisegba-Ekiti in 1981 which was presented to him by the then Diocesan, Most Reverend Joseph Abiodun Adetiloye. His virtues were extolled as honesty and integrity personified. To him, his action was the norm; though considered unusual in an environment where the custodians of the national treasury are the ones stealing from the commonwealth with impunity and get away with it because no proper records are kept in a terribly corrupt system.

This is about a man who stood out by doing the simplest things which anybody could achieve if only the person applies his/her mind to it conscientiously. When someone we love becomes a memory, the memory becomes a treasure. Certainly, Chief David Opeyemi Adetunmbi a.k.a. Baba; left behind treasures for his family, honorable associates, colleagues and other ranks of loved ones. Apparently, Chief D.O. Adetunmbi (DOA) sought to please God in the conduct of his life by doing well before man and God through the grace of His lord and Saviour. His major tool for achieving this was grounded in the guided principles of a good sense of justice and expression of love to those he came across with an arresting humility. "Mo ri o i yo" (delighted seeing you) was his signature greeting in Ekiti dialect with an infectious deep sincere smile. The state of Baba in his elements often warmed the soul of the encountered person such that one may have no choice than to melt on the inside. That was vintage and venerable him for you. His lifetime was a kind of golden moments of an unending story. His transition then, hurt his loved ones understandably because they wanted to enjoy his presence with them for as long as possible. Indeed his memory had turned out to evoke joys for his children and many who appreciated him. This is consequent to the buried seed of awesomeness of his exemplary character covered with freshly turned earth in 1990 which had sprung up luxuriant vegetation that is boisterous, to God is the glory. Certainly, no matter the odds, it pays to serve God, for truth always triumphs. 

  

His father & grandmother

Prefects of Ondo Boys High School in 1944, Chief Adetunmbi seated 1st right, Venerable Iluyomade sat 2nd from left

Baba stood in the middle of back row with the 1st set of Ifaki Grammar School in 1957

 Chief David Opeyemi Adetunmbi was a native of Ifaki-Ekiti and was born on July 12, 1919. He lost his mother as a toddler and was brought up by his grandmother. His father was one of the early persecuted Christians in Ifaki-Ekiti. He was baptized at St. Michael Anglican Church Ifaki-Ekiti on the 8th of March 1931. He had his primary education at St Michael’s Anglican Infantry School, Ifaki-Ekiti in 1931 to 1935 and was among the early set of Christ’s School, Ado-Ekiti in 1936 to 1937. The chief attended Ondo Boys High School, Ondo in 1944 to 1945 and through correspondence, he passed Cambridge School Certificate. He obtained Diploma in Education from University of Ibadan in 1960. DOA started his working career as a pupil teacher in 1937 at Igbara Odo-Ekiti. He later worked at Ilorin, Offa and became Headmaster of Central Primary School, Oke-Opin in 1954. He was one of the pioneer teachers of Ekitiparapo College, Ido-Ekiti in 1955. On invitation of his kinsmen, he co-started Ifaki Grammar School where he served meritoriously from 1957 to 1975 as the Senior Tutor. He retired at All Saints Teachers College, Usi-Ekiti in 1979 as a Head of Department.

Ekiti Diocesan officials at the Bishop's Court Ado-Ekiti in the mid 1960s, Chief D.O. Adetunmbi standing 9th from right

The choir of St Michael's Anglican Church, Ifaki in the early 1980s that won music competition trophy. Baba 1st right in the middle row, Bimbo his last born at the center of the middle row.

Received donation of books to Ifaki Library on behalf of the community

Installation as the Asiwaju of Ifaki-Ekiti in 1974

Baba with his Ifaki-Grammar students in front of Geography Laboratory in the late 1960s

Members of Staff of Ifaki Grammar School in the late 1960s and early 1970s, Chief D.O. Adetunmbi 5th from right

Activities of Chief Adetunmbi as a keen church man included being a member of the old Ondo Anglican Diocesan Synod. He served in the old Ekiti Archdeaconry under Archdeacon M. A. Osanyin who was later consecrated as the first Bishop of Ekiti Anglican Diocese. He worked with other notable laity for the establishment of Ekiti Anglican Diocese in 1966. The sole internal auditor for the old Ekiti Anglican Diocese for about 15 years in gratis, going round the churches where there were problems on church finances and other irregularities in the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s. He served as a Bishop’s nominee to the Ekiti Anglican Diocesan Synod until his transition. The Baba Ijo of St. Michael’s Anglican Church, Ifaki-Ekiti, 1978 to 1990 and choirmaster/organist free-of-charge of St. Michael’s Anglican Church, Ifaki from early 1960s till his transition in March 1990.

Retirement in 1979 at All Saints' Teacher Training College

His NUT days

He joined Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT) in 1942 and 2557 was his registration number. He served as a member of the Executive Council of NUT of the old Western State of Nigeria in 1971. He rose to become a national leader of the respected union and acted as the National President of NUT, in 1978 to 1979. He represented Nigeria in December 1978 at the International Federation of Free-Teachers Union, 12th World Congress held in Manila, Philippines. His tenure as the leader of NUT was yet to be completed when he retired as a teacher in 1979. He called the attention of his NUT colleagues to it at an executive council meeting that the constitution says it is only a teacher still in service that can occupy the office of the president. His co-unionists venerated him.

During the final rites ceremony of his father in 1980

Baba & his bosom friend, Chief J.N.A. Aderiye

With his son, Senator Olu Adetunmbi in 1979

He served as a councilor in the old Ifaki/Ido/Osi District Council in the 1960s and elected chairman of Ifaki Town Council on the 15th of May, 1970. Chief Adetunmbi worked relentlessly with others to attract social amenities and development to the community which include post office, electricity, pipe borne water, police post, Ifaki Grammar School, and Ifaki General Hospital etc. He was installed the Asiwaju of Ifaki-Ekiti on the 13th of April 1974, by the suave and respected Olufaki of Ifaki, His Royal Highness, Oba Josiah Ojo Akanle III. The renowned school administrator and educationist served on the board of governors of many institutions as either chairman or treasurer. Some of these schools include Divisional Teacher Training College, Oye-Ekiti; All Saints Teacher Training College, Usi-Ekiti etc. He authored a detailed and well researched historical and documentary book titled, Ifaki-Ekiti: A Typical Community in Yoruba Land. 

Christening of Bimbo in 1967 and her confirmation ceremony with Bishop Adetiloye and Baba in 1982

During church wedding service of Dayo at Ilesha in 1986

Baba got married on August 10, 1952 to Miss Comfort Modupe Adelusi a.k.a. Mama. Baba and Mama kept faith with the holy matrimony until death did part them and the marriage was blessed with children. Chief D.O. Adetunmbi was a disciplinarian, a devoted family man, a very generous character and outstandingly upright. He was a lover of concord, a votary of peace, an advocate of truth and an apostle of harmony in every human endeavour. He appreciated his root and served his community selflessly and in turn his people revered him. He worshiped God through Christ with every means at his disposal and earned unequivocally the exalted position of a highly respected opinion leader in his domain.
Baba was a front-line subsistence farmer. He loved organ music, it was his forte while photography was a hobby and enjoyed pounded yam with his favourite bush meat etu (antelope), akika (porcupine) and okuru (grass cutter). He enjoyed company of his people and honourable men generally.

L-R sitting: Olubunmi, Yetunde, Baba, Kayode & Dayo. Standing Nike, Bimbo & Seye

Baba & Omolade in 1986

During 1989 Christmas holiday, I asked him how far he had gone with the historical book he was writing on Ifaki community. In response, he said: “After all, if I couldn’t finish it, you (Seye) will complete it for me...” Three months after, on the 21st of March 1990, my beloved father passed-on.  On March 20th 1990, he left choir practice around 6 pm, played his 1917 pedal organ at home till after 10 p.m. and passed on at about 2.30 a.m. of March 21st, 1990. "Such is a Christian parting hour, so peacefully, he rested in the lord". At the time of his transition, he was survived by his wife, Chief Mrs C.M. Adetunmbi (1931-2017), the Iya-Ijo of St. Michael's Anglican Church, Ifaki, and his children: Kayode, Yetunde, Olubunmi, Adedayo, Adenike, Oluseye and Abimbola with many grandchildren. Posthumous awards received included 1991 Ekiti Anglican Diocesan Merit Award and Ekiti State 2004 Merit Award.

Subsequent to editing, updating with relevant vintage pictures and structuring the manuscript of his research work appropriately, in line with the way he would have wanted it done, I got the book published 28 years after his transition. It had been rather unsettling for me each time the project came to my consciousness all these years until I saw through the assignment he gave me. Consequent to seeing the depth of his research, his uncommon sense of record keeping and the huge materials he had been gathering since 1961 till 1990: digging deep into facts of history, geography, culture and tradition of his community, I was inspired to write the biography of the man with such a foresight and deep sense of selflessness. It was published as a separate book for posterity. Bulk of the two pictorial historical books that were initially produced has been donated to the libraries of Nigerian Universities and secondary schools. To facilitate access of more people to his research work and his inspiring published biography, the two books are now available online to mark the centenary of his birth and to the glory God.

FINAL RITES FOR BABA IN 1990

THE APOSTLE OF HARMONY

By

Seye Adetunmbi

The Prologue

Like my brothers and sisters, I was quite close to our father, Baba as he was popularly called. As a little boy, I was very inquisitive and was fond of him. I was always around him, reverently asking one question or the other most especially after I have overgrown the fear that I had for him because of his strictness and uncompromising disposition to discipline. I can say that I learnt about events before mid-sixties through several discussions with him, Mama, my elder brothers and sisters, while the activities from late 1960s upward I witnessed personally.

As a little boy I traveled with him several times to many different places for formal and informal functions and meetings. After I got my driving license in 1978, I was one of his drivers for over a decade until his transition. I was also one of his attendants and assistants when he was managing the first National Oil Petrol Filling Station (formally Shell) in Ifaki. In fact, I did not realise the frequency of my presence around him at the filling station until Mrs Ojo Kajola, one of the petty traders and neighbours tagged me adiye Baba (daddy’s rooster). Apart from the fact that I consider myself privileged to have passed through his tutelage as one of his students (1973-1975) in the secondary school, I was also one of his choristers right from the age of 9 at St Michael’s Anglican Church, Ifaki-Ekiti for several years. Consequently, at the risk of sounding immodest I believe that I knew him intimately.

Some instances that were quoted in his biography were not just mere hearsay because, he actually told me some and I witnessed a few cases. His virtues that are highlighted in the biography are basic things that most people who knew him very well admitted that were his lifetime attributes. In fact, he was not the kind of person one can easily falsify his records either by taking from it or adding to it, because he was a man of the people. I did not attempt to attach to his image, any halo of perfection. Nevertheless, it is a fact that he left an impeccable record of service to humanity in his community and in his career as a teacher. His affability was exemplary and was charitable to all God’s children. In fact it was difficult to write about him in past tense within 3 months of his transition in 1990 that I have concluded the manuscript of this biography.

When the loss of Baba was still fresh and overwhelmed by emotions, Intuitively, I wanted the book to be titled Aarukan. I came across or took notice of the Yoruba word for the first time shortly after Baba passed-on. I observed that several times whenever any of his associates, friends, relations, neighbours, tenants and beneficiaries, kind of reminiscence about their encounters with him, they were so emotion-laden. Most of them often cried. Each time I wondered why so much emotion, the reply I usually got from them and people around was “arukan ni oro Baba”. In essence his friends, beneficiaries and admirers were often in a reflecting mood whenever they recalled any of his legacies which brought to mind the cherished moments they shared together. Arukan could therefore be interpreted to mean triggered memories that often bring forth unceasing emotions.

            By the time the book was to be published, the inspiration came to give it this title: “The Apostle of Harmony”. In every setting that Baba was involved, what he wanted was for the people to live together in harmony. Where he needed to make personal sacrifices through various self denials, he was inclined to let everything go for peace to reign. Also as a remarkable church organist, he played nothing but complete harmonized notes which made his organ recitals to be rich and soothing while at it, one of the things he did best in his lifetime. He was indeed an Apostle of Harmony.

Various factors were responsible for publishing the biography of Chief David Opeyemi Abayomi Adetunmbi. In the course of my carrying out the assignment he gave me to publish his well researched book on the history of Ifaki-Ekiti, I felt that the effort would be complementary if the biography of the man with such a foresight, and distinct vision was made available for posterity. This constitutes the first section of this book.  The second section is devoted to the life history of Mama, his dear wife and my darling mother who passed-on before the biography of Baba was published.

The concluding part of this special publication is the third section which pays tribute to a select few exemplary Ekiti indigenes. Relatively, most of these people were his professional colleagues, associates and like minded personalities who distinguished themselves in their respective lifetime activities. My personal admiration of all of them informed my decision to devote the third section of this book for these selected few in this publication because their lifetime dispositions were worthy of emulation. Some of them were his friends and age mates with whom he shared cordial relationship. There was an exception in one of his students that I included because he was a genius and passed-on at a relatively young age. I also included my tribute on the first female graduate from Ifaki-Ekiti. A few of the distinguished men I paid tribute to were younger than Baba, while others were older and yet they had mutual respect for one another. In essence, what we have in this special publication are three distinct books in one.

Although the maiden manuscript of Baba’s biography was ready by the second quarter of 1990, I could only get round to publish it 28 years after. “Man proposes God disposes.” However, God made it possible for me to include the biography of the matriarch of the family, Mrs Comfort Modupe Adetunmbi (1931-2017) who carried on for over 27 years after the transition of the patriarch. With the accompanying memorable final rites photos, this makes this unique 3-in-1 book an integrated distinct memorabilia for the keeps of family members, friends, associates and those who like to read biographies.

Till we me meet to part no more, Baba and Mama. “To live in the hearts of our loved ones is not to die”.

Oluseye Adetunmbi

June 25th, 2018

NO SLAVE NO MASTER: WE ARE PARTNERS IN PROGRESS 

By, Chief D. O. Adetunmbi 1919-1990

"Discerning the right type of government for Nigeria and form of representation: A memo written by Chief D. O. Adetunmbi to Federal Government of Nigeria in 1979"

A particular type of government may not be bad but be made awful by the operators and in the way they handle or execute their policies. One of such is seen in the way those in government side-track their avowed political manifestos when they seek to be in power. They say sweet words that are magically convincing against a background of spineless programmes. The money may not be there to pursue their aims. The next weapon will be deceit, fraud and suicidal boldface for coverage. The onlookers burst out in outrage to decry all their moves and in the end chaos steps in. There is no law and order respected and the government is doomed to fail.

   From our past experience in Nigeria, one will say that we are not yet ripe to have a government with opposition. We are selfish and do not show signs of having any consideration for our fellow men. When we want to ascend to power or when we are in power we do not want to see others aspire to our height. No. We are only satisfied in our other-parts becoming our footstool, stooges, and carriers of wood and drawers of water for us. Ours is first place; others second place or no place. If it is difficult for us to have our ways or when the opponents appear to be the clogs in the wheel of our aspirations, we resort to final and total crushing. All these tend to inhumanity and render a government with opposition improper.

    In the case of presidential system of government, it appears every state develops at its own pace and within the limits of its resources. Development under this type of government pays better as each state strives to attain prominence. More towns and areas change faces and the whole country looks better. With the good sides said, one cannot but see the other side also. A colossal of money is wasted on the presidential system. It gives room for the duplication of high posts in all the states. There are too many masters that hardly respect the center. Some states pull apart against the ideologies of the central government. The central government also tends to make things difficult for the states that do not toe the central government line! The end of everything is chaos and failure.

   In my opinion, I will suggest we need only one party government for the whole country. The government should be broad based to cover the whole country. No other party should be allowed to spring up after the one that the whole country has agreed to form. As the country is poised to get a constitutional law or policies for the country, representatives of states or local government areas will form a constituent assembly that will plan for a political party that will be binding on all. The appropriate law will support this. The Constituent Assembly will think out appropriate manifestos for the designated party for the benefit of all and sundry. The policy will be operated in all parts of the country without any opposition. The people that will later constitute the government will interpret and execute the manifestos or policies of the government party. Allowance is given to amend policies as opportunity calls for it.

   It is advisable to have a separate body apart from those in government to review the position of things as people that stand afar to see how things work. Law to help formulate corrective measures for the policies followed by the government will support them. They are not opposition party, not pressure group but members or loyalists of the government party. They are subsidiary arms of the government. They work for the betterment and success of the body in government. With the above, I believe all will be well. State governments should be patterned as that of the federal national government but must have powers under the umbrella of the parent body. They i.e. the states in the country must carry out the policy of the national or central government to the letter.

   On the forms of representation in the government, the country should be zoned for the highest position of the government. Whoever is lucky to be president must follow and carry out the country’s laid down policy. Specific period should be stated for a head to assume power and the next automatically steps in. The choice of the leader from any zone must be the joint responsibility of all the zones. The concerned zone can only present 3 acceptable candidates out of which the president will emerge through votes of those in the one central government. Their people should give a specific time frame to those who participate in the government. This would be at the local, state and central government levels. Any legislator can be withdrawn, sent out by his people and the state or the central government if his or her activities fall below expectation.

   In choosing a legislator, the natural rulers and members of their council with reasonable and loyal members of the public should be solely responsible to the nation in nominating the best candidate. The choice should be based on:

(a) Acceptability of the person on his appearance, physic and education.

(b) His or her past morally and the impact on the community.

(c) His or her financial standing, respect for a constituted authority and fundamental human right.

(d) His or her age, experience and potential ability as a leader.

(e) He or she must not be the one seeking for nomination on personal interest

(f) He or she must be free from any bad record like imprisonment, bankruptcy or moral decadence

(g) Any other good reasons adjudged applicable by the nation

   If our natural rulers are given the opportunity to help in the nomination of candidates for the government, better and trustworthy ambassadors will emerge. In choosing legislators both for the state and central government, local government area should be used as base or point of selection. The number of candidates should be the joint responsibility of the local government with the consent of the natural rulers and others as enumerated above. Representation should be spread all over with strong grass-root backing. Representatives should themselves as the servant of the people not as the master of their people. The post or honour thrown on such a person should not be towards amassing wealth. The calling is essentially to go and sweat for the people.

    The judiciary is a strong arm of the government. It ought to be a body interpreting and helping in keeping law and other in the land. It should be completely autonomous. All retired Judges of meritorious services should form the nucleus of control for the judges of the nation. They should be charged with the appointment, promotion, discipline and commendation of the judges. They must however be guided by the laws of the country and set policies of the governing body.

   In genuine democratic political system, there should be no two ruling powers or leaders of government in the state. The voted government must be sovereign. There should not be any powerful clique or political body that will control such government in power. The political party structure should not be like the types in the past. If this structure could be mutually agreed the nation will not be manipulated to fund the political parties. Like the military regimes, they are expected to be responsible to their government and the nation at large. They do not have to be a servant of two masters i.e. the government and their party. The type of government being advocated is such that, the government is the party and the party is the government.

    Nigeria should however be careful of certain monsters confronting the nation. They are ethnicity, language barriers and issues of the minority areas. Relevant and functional committees should be set up to find solutions to these problems. Nevertheless, I have this to say that a language should be chosen as lingua-franca e.g. English. There will be no end to grumbling if we choose Yoruba, Hausa or Ibo. Other tribes with unique languages will cry out or may feel cheated. Each state may have its lingua franca for convenience within the state if desired. Laws should be formulated to disallow ethnicity working against the unity of the country or nation. We cannot rule out the interest of people in their culture, affinity and general behaviour with their common ancestors including religion. This however should not be allowed to develop into hatred, ostracism and bad blood among the people of different ethnic groups. Selfish interest should not be brought into government. Legislators are not nominated for ethnicity but in the interest of the nation. No slave, no master; we are all partners in progress.

Chief David Opeyemi Adetunmbi (1919 -1990) was the national leader of Nigerian Union of Teachers 1977-1979, Asiwaju of Ifaki-Ekiti 1974-1990 and the Baba-Ijo of St. Michael Anglican Church, Ifaki-Ifaki 1978-1990. On 21/3/90, Chief D. O. Adetunmbi passed on. This article is an extract from his biography: The Apostle of Harmony. The issues he raised remain fundamental to our nationhood for Nigeria to get it right. The challenges then are still with us without any lasting solution yet. May God help our dear Nigeria.