SEYE ADETUNMBI ESSENTIALS FIT THE BILL: EKITI 2022
By, Tunde Oso
As the ruling All Progressives Congress begins the process of electing its executives at ward, local government, state and national levels, with ward congresses commencing this last weekend in July, one is persuaded, as an indigene of Ekiti State, to turn the searchlight on the gubernatorial contenders in the state, especially as the trending political topic in the state at the moment is who succeeds Dr. John Kayode Fayemi as Governor after concluding his term of office in October 2022.
A perfunctory look in the field shows a titanic battle of political bigwigs, moneybags, influential professionals and businessmen, people who had made their individual marks in their chosen fields. However, Chief Adebukola Oluseye Adetunmbi, convener of Ekitipanupo Forum, a pre-eminent all-inclusive forum of the best brains in Ekiti -State, stands out.
Seye Adetunmbi was born on July 21st, 1962 in Ifaki-Ekiti. He is a product of Ifaki Grammar School, Christ’s School Ado-Ekiti, University of Ilorin and University of Lagos and holds B. Sc. Hons, PGDE and MBA. His integrated progressive activities earned him the chieftaincy title of Okanlomo of Ikole-Ekiti in 2008, and the Eletolua of Ifisin- Ekiti in 2010. His marriage to Mrs. Olabowale Adetunmbi (nee Akapo of Isale-Eko), an Attorney at Law is blessed with four fruitful children. The patrician chief is a dedicated Christian, an Altar Server and a licensed Lay Reader in the Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion.
Seye Adetunmbi is the first person in the progressive political camp, APC to formally signify interest in the governorship of Ekiti-State in 2022. He formally declared on March 6th, 2021 which was the 16th anniversary of Ekitipanupo Forum which he convened on March 6th in 2005. A typical passionate Ekiti indigene, inimitable family man, keen Anglican church man, an advocate of professionalism and a just society, Adetunmbi, a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers and the convener of Capital Market Round-table (CMR) in Nigeria, started his working career in the capital market in 1990 as a Corporate Finance Executive after his MBA programme. For over 27 years he worked with various financial intermediary and banking service providers until he established Value Investing Limited in 2008 as the Chief Responsibility Officer. As a consummate investment banker, tested stockbroker and integrated financial market practitioner, he worked at various times as a consultant to Department for International Development (DFID), PYXERA Global, few state governments in Nigeria and a number of other multilateral agencies.
Adetunmbi is a prolific writer, who has over 120 published articles on a wide range of subjects not limited to the financial market, development economics, politics, biographies, lateral thinking, ethics, culture and tradition. As at 2021, he has over ten book titles to his credit. He established Mindscope Africa as a publishing company in 2012 towards building an economy and business around his passion.
In 2005, he convened Ekitipanupo Forum, an indigenous intellectual round-table for the socio-economic and political emancipation of his kinsmen in Ekiti-State of Nigeria. The pre-eminent all-inclusive forum of the best brains in Ekiti-State, provides unequalled multi-party parliament platform for Ekiti people at home and abroad. The forum hosted its first public lecture in 2007 which was delivered by Dr. Ayo Ajayi, one-time CEO of UACN PLC. The second public lecture was held at ABUAD in 2015 and it was delivered by Emeritus Prof Michael Omolewa. Ekitipanupo also hosted Ekiti Colloquium in 2016 and the guest speaker was Prof. Banji Akintoye. In his usual character as an organized person with tested disposition to putting his best into every cause he is associated with, he convened Atokeibeirosi Strategy Group (ASG) on March 1st, 2021. ASG is made up of reputable indigenes from virtually all the 138 towns in the 16 local government areas of Ekiti-State. Essentially, the pioneer members of ASG are professionals in various human endeavours. The response of indigenes to his declaration of interest to govern Ekiti is overwhelming. It is a confirmation of the fact that Seye Adetunmbi is a grass root-man whose character and disposition seat well with the elites and the peasants. It is a further testimonial and endorsement of a unique omoluabi Ekiti who has paid his dues on Ekiti project right from its inception to date. ASG members broke into committees to develop a blueprint for lasting good governance in Ekiti-State. This underscores the fact that, this is not about a personal aspiration but a collective project for a better Ekiti-State.
Seye Adetunmbi and some members of his Ward in Ifaki-Ekiti during the APC Congress on 31/7/21
Seye Adetunmbi gave members of the ward moral support during the APC congress
By global or every standard, Seye Adetunmbi has raised the bar of governorship aspiration in Nigeria with the manner he has gone about it. He has gone ahead to put his thoughts down on how Ekiti-State will be governed for the benefit of all in a compact and loaded ASG campaign handbook. The articulated manifestos received commendations from everyone who went through it. Apparently, it is first of its kind in the history of politics in Ekiti. What all these point to is the fact that, Seye Adetunmbi is the only aspirant, who has demonstrated adequate preparedness for the task of governing Ekiti-State in this challenging Nigerian economic and political situation of today. He is got a remarkable pedigree, prerequisite knowledge, intellect, goodwill, wide network, the required character and comportment to steer the affairs of the state. He has made himself available, it is now the prerogative of Ekiti people to send him.
In glowing testimony, former D-G of Securities and Exchange Commission, Ms Arunma Oteh describes Adetunmbi as a role model and veteran in the market and a seasoned speaker on economic developments in the country.
Political watchers maintain that his successes in the Nigeria’s capital market replicated in governance in the public sector. Also his applied knowledge development economics in general will be brought to bear in governing Ekiti with ultimate goal of uplifting economy of the state.
*Oso, a journalist, lives in Lagos
PURPOSE DRIVEN GOVERNANCE AND LEADERSHIP: PARADIGM SHIFT BECOMES IMPERATIVE
By, Seye Adetunmbi, 6/3/21
How benevolent, productive, relevant, and resourceful a government and an administration will be is a function of the purpose of the leadership. The mindset of a leader defines the kind of leadership that will be provided irrespective of the tier of government that is involved. This principle applies to the management of activities in the private sector too. The real leadership is not just a role one plays, it is a life one leads and this can only be built on a good and strong character to deliver an enduring good government to the masses.
Seye Adetunmbi FCS, the Convener of Capital Market Roundtable in Nigeria and Ekitipanupo Forum. The Okanlomo of Ikole-Ekiti and Eletolua of Ifisin-Ekiti
Good leadership in the governance of nations and states is the bedrock for development. The old western region of Nigeria remains an evergreen example in our clime. Consequently, it is imperative to consciously groom good leadership for future; a visionary leadership characterized by values and commitment to the custom of excellence. There is need to depart from rat race governing system and entrench a new paradigm for a more enduring purposeful governance for the benefit of the majority on a lasting note.
The prevalent purpose of those who dominate the political space in Nigeria over the years had been less than altruistic. Many are involved for the winner to take all, the interest of the larger society is of no importance to them for as long as they are settled. “Bamu-bamu ni mo yo”. Once the foundation is bad, deceptive and structured to serve a narrow sect, the poor masses will be short-changed in perpetuity. For as long as Nigeria operates a questionable constitution it will take a sincere leadership with conscience at all tiers of government to deliver optimal benefits of democracy to the masses and make progress considerably as a nation or as a state.
Calling for a paradigm shift in the way party flag bearers emerge and how we are governed would involve a lot of commitment. The vision is to make Ekiti for an example the model state in the manner Chief Obafemi Awolowo and his team made old western region to standout in Nigeria. The targeted fresh perspective will associate with the successes of the remarkable past and present leaders or heroes. In essence, every good deed of the past and present administrations will be improved upon while those aspects that do not align with the new paradigm will be jettisoned. Past mistakes will be consciously avoided.
Courtesy call on the then Governor Adebayo in December 2000
It would amount to self deceit/grandiose for any governor and the president in Nigeria today to say there is no room for improvement in the way our people have been governed and that there is no alternative to the status quo. Even after intervention by the paradigm shift movement, there will still be room for an improvement because we are dealing with the vagaries associated with humanity. What is fundamental is a sustainable leadership structure that will ensure manifestation of the desirable purposeful governance for the benefit of all, on a lasting note.
Just as the federal government of Nigeria needs a fundamental policy reset to durably exit economic crises and warped system, the state governments need to get real and rejig the way politics are played. The advocacy is to explore tested new plausible ways for governing our people. We cannot continue to do the same thing repeatedly and expect a different result. Recycling people with the status quo mindset in government will continue to set us back. Whoever truly means well for the people will associate with the Paradigm Shift Movement (PSM). It is worth giving fresh vista of opportunities a chance under a disciplined, more dynamic and honest leadership.
Seye and his son Bukunmi flanked L-R by Gbenga Adeusi, Tokie Adebayo, Yemi Olayinka, Gbenga Ogunsakin, Banji Oyinloye, Toyin Oniyelu and Kunle Adeyemo after the thanksgiving at St Michael’s Anglican Church of Ifaki for a successful 1st Ekiti Day held on December 5th, 2003 in Ado-Ekiti.
Ekitipanupo Indigenous Intellectual Roundtable was initiated for the best brains of Ekiti indigenes irrespective of their location, to be deployed optimally for the benefit of the state and Ekiti people. It was structured to think ahead and have intellectual input to the manifestos of the ruling political party. This for instance informed the blue print that was presented to Ekiti State government in December 2010.
Chief Segun Oni (r), Seye Adetunmbi was MC at the “Fundraiser” for his governorship race in 2007
Over the years, I have been called upon privately and publicly to run for the office of Governor in Ekiti-State by some well meaning indigenes. On a number of occasions, a few non-Ekiti associates who have been following my modest socio-political progressive activities all these years on Ekiti also prompted me along this line. My response had always been that I have at various times supported political aspirations of a number of people and stood by those who have governed Ekiti-State personally and through Ekitipanupo Forum. Let me see them through first. A good turn is expected to deserve another and wisdom demands that I should heed the call at the opportune time. In that, if it is not God’s time, you cannot force it; but when it is God’s time, you cannot stop it.
Prof Akin Oyebode (standing), flanked from l-r by Prof Demola Omojola, Chief Aderiye, Dr Ayo Ajayi, Prince Julius Adelusi-Adeluyi High Chief J Babatola and Yeye Bolanle Olatunde at the first public lecture of Ekitipanupo Forum in 2007
To some of my people, it is long overdue. I cannot see a better time than now for me to make myself more available to the service of Ekiti-State. It is an apt response to a collective call to duty. With all humility, by the grace of God I will be available in 2022 and leave the electorate to decide. In the words of Abraham Lincoln, “no man is good enough to govern another without the man's consent.”
L-R: Prof J. Aina, Prof Sam Ade Ojo, Dr Adebimpe Okunade, Prof Michael Omolewa, Chief Wole Olanipekun, Seye Adetunmbi, Aare & Yeye Afe Babalola and Otunba Niyi Adebayo at the 2nd Public Lecture marking the 10th anniversary of Ekitipanupo Forum in 2015
What I am humbly making myself available for is to unleash the potential, the imponderable goodwill, wide network and huge intellectual capacity of over 1,000 tested professionals in all works of life who constitute Ekitipanupo Forum. No political party parades the caliber of brilliant technocrats in Ekitipanupo Forum. In essence, the forum which is a microcosm of Ekiti-State will be put into optimal use to complement the government of the day with vast and tested integrated intellectual inputs. Ekitipanupo has capacity to provide advisory and consultancy service to Ekiti-State pro bono in virtually all sectors of the economy. I was involved in the Lagos Smart City Project sponsored by IBM in 2013, as a consultant through PYXERA Group. Indigenes shall be given top priority on professional services that they can provide at competitive rates.
With Babatunde Raji Fashola SAN after the formal presentation of the report of 2 weeks pro brono service of senior executives of IBM on Lagos Smart City Project in 2013.
Part of the PSM is to challenge every political party to allow a level playing ground for party flag bearers to emerge by playing down too much influence of money which often throws up the highest bidder. The implication of a corrupted process relegates to the background, competence, antecedents, relevant experience, character audit and verifiable inclination to the best practices; which tends to deprive the masses of good quality government. Because when the loyalty of a governor is first to the political godfather, then larger interest of the majority is secondary.
Political actors who treat Ekiti State as a “farm settlement” should not be encouraged. This category of people live outside the state, they come to play politics and go back to their preferred place of abode. Farm-settlement politicians are more likely to fleece the meager resources of the state. Let it be the other way round, by making Ekiti your home and any other place the farm settlement. The new order is to make the class of people who see Ekiti as their home-base to dominate our political space towards boosting Ekiti fortune and making the state to be better for it.
At Ekiti Colloquium in 2016, L-R: Mrs Fola Richie-Adewusi, Prince Julius Adelusi-Adeluyi, Prof Banji Akintoye and Seye Adetunmbi
PSM is about departure from a system that has become one huge waste. An intervention of a purpose driven governance that will clear debris of deceit, duplicity, double dealing, lies and treachery. An administration that will be bold to check and demobilize politicians who have turned our politics into a hoax, a portal of guile and dissimulation. When one is made a leader or called upon to lead, it comes with responsibility to bring the best out of others. It is not just a matter of wearing a crown or parading the title of being called councilor, commissioner, honorable, governor, senator or president.
Governor Fayose (r) at Ifaki in 2017. The 1s Ekiti Day, 2nd Ekitipanupo Public Lecture and Ekiti Colloquium were held during his 2-terms in office
The PSM is about “servant-authority” whereby whoever emerges as the president, senator, governor or councilor will see himself or herself as the chief servant officer and not a tin-god! "The greatest among you will be your servant. For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted." Mathew 23:11-12
Memory of Alhaji Lateef Jakande keeps resonating on the power of selflessness in government and Mother Theresa’s service to humanity at its best which earned her Nobel Prize. More than a president of any nation, any pope, state governor or chief executive officer of a multinational corporation, the virtuous woman in her simplicity had authority because she was a servant. She glorified God in her service to mankind.
During Ekiti North senatorial election rerun in 2009
Looking back, I associated with the electioneering campaign of the first civilian governor of Ekiti-State in 1999. His successor was at the 1st Ekiti Day, hosted on December 5th 2003 by a group which I co-initiated. After the anthem I composed was rendered, the governor was so impressed and pronounced it the first Ekiti State anthem. On March 6th 2005, the inspiration to convene an indigenous intellectual Roundtable manifested, Ekitipanupo Forum evolved.
A special edition of Ekitipanupo Magazine in 2018
The 1st public lecture of Ekitipanupo Forum was hosted on April 7th, 2007 during the emergency rule interregnum and Ekitipanupo Magazine was launched. The 10th anniversary of Ekitipanupo Forum was marked with the 2nd public lecture at Afe Babalola University in 2015 and the Ekitipanupo Legacy Book was formally presented to the public. In 2016, Ekiti Colloquium was hosted by Ekitipanupo Forum.
Courtesy call on Governor Fayemi on 19/1/21
Leadership is essentially about service, empowerment and inspiration and not about control, power and manipulation. Towards driving the paradigm shift to fruition, Atoke-ibe-rosi Strategy Group (ASG) has been constituted. The pioneers are reputable indigenes from over 60 Ekiti towns across all the local government areas, who have encouraged me over the years and believe in my ability, with all humility, to provide the required leadership. ASG is open to people of good character who can add value to the 2022 mission in Ekiti-State. The target is for every Ekiti community to be represented in the strategy group.
Political party membership validation at Ifaki-Ekiti on 9/2/21
God may not call many to fame and fortune, but He calls everyone to serve faithfully with the given talents. If perchance, what we do earns us recognition, fame or affluence, let it be done to the glory of God. My prayer is that whatever my calling, my lot, my circumstances, and my divine given gifts, may God help me and grant me the grace to use all to serve my people and glorify our almighty creator. Here I am, send me (Isaiah 6:8) to lead the paradigm shift in a lasting purpose driven governance in Ekiti, come 2022, God being my helper.
An essay dedicated to mark 16th anniversary of Ekitipanupo Forum on March 6th, 2021 by the convener, Seye Adetunmbi.
