₦airaland Forum

When I met the Famous Unknown Patriot- Issa Mutolib Ayobami

It’s not a crime for a man to reveal his acts of charity, as it may be done with good intentions so as to encourage others with the means or to pass a sounding message to the generation coming behind; for them to understand that charity is a virtue that must be upheld. But it’s uncommon to find those few men who conceal their acts of charity, reaches out to those who needs help silently, extend a helping hand to the poor, and puts a smile on people’s faces through selfless acts of philanthropy.


There is no compulsion in giving charity, because it is indeed a loan given to God, and he alone can reward a philanthropist. But as humans, all we can do is to encourage them to do more, as the desire to promote the welfare of others who aren’t ones kinsmen, brethren, family members, or friends is an act of benovelence, altruism, magnanimity, munificence, and great social concern. The major driving force of philanthropy, overtime, is the “love of humanity”, and thus; this is exactly the propeller of Hakeem Oladimeji Lawal (HOL), a man I would define as the ‘Famous Unknown Patriot’.


I might have forgotten the date and time, but the venue was in a sitting room at the Admiralty villa in company of two (2) of my best allies. We were young guys with no restrictions when the opportunity to speak the gospel truth to the faces of our political class crops up, and when it doesn’t, we have never hesitated to make use of the singing-dancing pen to push for a factory reset; for the power of the pen is said to be greater than the power of the sword, and past events have actually proven that. We greeted him warmly and thereafter crystallised into political discussion, and we didn’t waste time in challenging him on quite a number of issues, some of which includes his vision for Kwara state, his philanthropic gestures, some allegations we’ve heard about his person, among other salient issues which are personal.


Quite impressively, Alhaji Hakeem Lawal’s responses to the questions bordering on his vision for Kwara were brilliantly answered. Hakeem Oladimeji Lawal (HOL) said his vision for the State is a developed, educationally advanced and independent Kwara, which immediately attracted my mind and made me paid more attention, like other time when anyone mentions education, my attention you have, for education still remains the most vital sector that we need to fix in the harmonious State of Kwara; which I believe, once that is fixed, every other thing would fall in place.


He continued by saying that he has a mission to make sure that Kwara is placed on the world map of excellence, and to ensure that the education and skills garnered from years of training and human capital development would be used to ignite the fire of people-oriented politics in the State. After listening to this very response, I can unequivocally say without fear or favour that such a vision is worthy of emulation by all politicians in the State irrespective of political affiliations.


After an intermittent but productive hours of discussion, I deduced that Hakeem Oladimeji Lawal (HOL) is no stranger to charity and philanthropy. In fact, he used to dedicate a big chunk of his fortune to philanthropy whilst doing everything possible to avoid limelight or court media attention.


In his words: “I believe as a Muslim that whatever I do to help people should be between myself, them, and God, it’s not supposed to be bared open in the public”.


My friend and companion that night had jokingly told him that he’s not fit to be a politician and has no business in politics if he doesn’t want to court the media and seek attention for his philanthropic gestures, stressing that people would see him as not doing anything to advance the course of the people. He was right!


The famous but ‘Unknown’ patriot, Alh. Hakeem Lawal prefers to unobtrusively clear medical bills for poor families, provide scholarship funds for indigent students to aid their academics aspirations, gives financial support to the elderly people in the society, empowering artisans with tools, implements, and machines needed to work, and a huge contribution to religious activities, without bias to a certain religion. All these, quite surprisingly, he had done at one point or the other, and he made sure that “headline-grabbing” habits was a scarce occurrence, almost an impossibility.


He mentioned, when really troubled and pestered, quite a lot of philanthropic gestures which he had carried out over the years, but as youths who has genuine concerns on Education and Human Capital Development, some of those things put me in awe, humbled me, and encouraged me to do more when I’m in a position to do such. Parts of these includes facilitating of CISCO training for 1000 persons in the 36 states and FCT, with over 100 Kwarans being beneficiaries of such a good human capital development scheme. Those that knows the financial and economic worth of CISCO program would understand much better, while he also created avenues for them to get employment immediately after the program. Amazing!


Another amazing feat of the Famous Unknown Patriot is the sponsorship of full scholarship of 100 Kwarans spread across the sixteen (16) local governments at the Pan African College of Education; a three (3) year program at about 90,000 naira per annum. It’s common knowledge that University first degrees are rampant with less value, this silent philanthropist gives scholarships for both PGDE and Masters degree so that Kwarans can be at an higher advantage in the labour market. These also totally differs from the periodic and frequent settlement of school fees of students from various tertiary institutions.


Needless should I talk on his various empowerment schemes for women, the procurement of sewing machines, grinding machines, and other implements for the women folks. He’s a man who also values relationship and comradeship. To have bought five (5) new cars for his personal assistants and aides without the whole world knowing about it speaks volumes about a man who prefers to silently make impacts on the lives of those around him!


Hakeem Oladimeji Lawal (HOL) makes me remember the Indonesian tycoon and billionaire, Ang Tjoen Ming (commonly known as Tahir) and his style of philanthropy, more men like Hakeem and Tahir are exactly what a society like ours require!


Well, since my meeting with Hakeem Oladimeji Lawal (HOL), I’ve become “Holistically HOLite”. May this state have the grace to feel and enjoy his candour and administrative brilliance sometime.


Issa Mutolib Ayobami popularly known as Megabyte writes from Ilorin, the Kwara State capital.
Mail: iammegabyte@gmail.com

VOICE OF MEGABYTE; VOICE OF REASON.
OPEN LETTER TO DISTINGUISHED SENATOR ABUBAKAR BUKOLA SARAKI.

TITLE: May the Dynasty Get Weak, May the Structures Get Dispersed, and May the Chains Get Broken!

By: Issa Mutolib Ayobami (Megabyte) Kwara State Coordinator; Society for Continuum of Change and Development (SCCD).
E-mail: iammegabyte@gmail.com
Digits: 08102627059

Dear Leader,

Distinguished Senator Abubakar Bukola Saraki, the Chairman of the 8th National Assembly and the President of the 8th Senate, a two (2) term Governor of Kwara State, the erstwhile Chairman of the Nigeria Governor's Forum (NGF), erstwhile Chairman of the Senate Committee on Environment and Ecology and also member of the Senate Committee on Capital Markets and Finance, one time senior special adviser (SSA) on budget, economic and planning, one time this and one time that, but the fact remains that you are the number one (1) political citizen in Kwara, some even call you the Governor but I call you the Governor-general of Kwara State, I would continue referring to you as "leader" because in truth, you still remain the leader of Kwara State politics as I'm writing this piece. You have negated the popular saying that "A tree doesn't make a forest", as your singular tree has made a forest in modern Kwara State political terrain, no wonder wherever your pendulum swings to, your dance steps shifts to, your gaze catches, or your music beats to, the majority of Kwarans only choice is to adjust themselves to your decision, not because of anything as many of your diehard political caucus actually don't like you, but because of your stronghold of the politicking in Kwara and they are left with no choice than to do your bidding, thanks to God that I don't fall within the category of those without choice, and thousands of Kwarans have also attained that level.


My leader, before I go further, I would like you to know that I'm a fully blooded Kwaran from Ilorin, not just from Ilorin but a proud one at that. Also, just as I was born a Muslim, a Nigerian, a Kwaran, and an Ilorite, all of which wasn't a choice of mine, that was the same way I was born a Sarakite which also happens not to be a decision of mine, I just came to live seeing everyone around me including my biological father as a Sarakite (genuine supporters of Olusola Saraki who happens to be your dad), therefore I can call it an inheritance, it's quite unfortunate though that the reverse is the case as most of those people are now bittered by your actions and inactions and are now ashamed to even refer themselves to as Sarakite, me being number one (1). I could vividly remember that day, it was one of those long breaks when the whole family would leave Lagos and relocate temporarily to Ilorin, it was in the comfort of our home when a Non-kwaran challenged my dad about him working in the private sector and not being a politician, he has no political appointment also, but why does he love Late Olusola Saraki with unending passion. I was a little boy in primary school and couldn't contribute to the discussion then, but as my father reeled out his reasons cum achievements of the Late Olusola Saraki, I was convinced deep down my heart that I just had to be a Sarakite. One of the reasons that convinced me was how he contributed to solving the unending water problem in Ilorin by building concrete tanks and procuring tankers to take water to people's doorsteps in those days, which inadvertently ended the frequent deaths of people that goes to rivers to source for water, being that water is life and someone brings the people life whilst stopping frequent deaths, I believe that was one of the reasons why he was loved.


Leader, have you ever thought about the reason why many started kicking against the dynasty hegemony? Let's put aside the fact that anything that has a beginning must surely have an ending, but why must the end be so soon? Why do people who genuinely love your father wants to see to the logical exit of the dynasty? Why are the youths agitated and calling for a paradigm shift? Why are our fathers, mothers, uncles and aunts all tired of the same system they once religiously followed to heart? There are many Why's and the reasons are more than one. You prioritized the welfarism of the political class over that of the downtrodden masses, I've noticed in all your speeches that you always talk about how you favoured some people with appointments or how you wanted favouring others but didn't work out, you always talked about empowerment schemes that favours the psycophantic political class, you seldom talk about the provision of basic infrastructural developments for your people, in an audio that was leaked recently, you beamoned spending about 200 - 400 million naira in thirty (30) States of the federation and complained bitterly on how you didn't get enough appointments that you craved for your people, hence the reason why you are fighting President Muhammadu Buhari, you never made mention of any reason that's masses related on why you are fighting him, that shows that the fight is about you and your political goons, then why should we Kwarans join you in your personal fights for personal gains?


Leader, I believe you are way too smart and intelligent to think President Muhammadu Buhari would lose come 2019, even if he wishes to lose, millions of young people like me who truly believes in the solid foundation that has been laid over the past three (3) and already thinking about the "Next Level" would make sure he returns elected to consolidate on his plans for all and sundry. I'm sure you also know that PDP doesn't have what it takes to wrestle the Presidency from President Muhammadu Buhari, PDP at the National level is drowned hook and sinker, dead and buried, they are bereft of ideas, they also don't want to sink alone, they are looking for who to go down the drain with. With the emergence of Alhaji Atiku Abubakar as the PDP's flagbearer, a man that doesn't have acceptability in his region (North), a man that defected to PDP and couldn't take his State Governor with him, a man that always loses his own State of Adamawa in elections, a personality the common man on the street sees as a symbol of corruption, PDP winning the seat of Presidency invariably means that the Northern part of the country would have another eight ( years, something the Igbo Nation may vote against, and I'm definitely sure that the Yoruba Nation would 100% vote against it, not forgetting that the APC currently holds sway in all the six (6) Southwest states.
Leader, jumping ship was not political suicide just for you alone but to people in your political cabal, I don't pity them anyway because they were part of the people who deceived you with chants such as "We are ready to go anywhere with you", "Lead us out of APC", and the likes, or maybe you were the one that requested them to do so, so that it would look like you are following the voice of the people. During your last days at APC, unconfirmed reports has it that the negotiation process initiated by Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, Governor Abdulaziz Yari, and Governor Ibikunle Amosun yielded positive results, we learnt that you were promised an automatic slot for Senate President, something that would have favoured the few political cabals anyways, they also promised to repay all the money you spent during your trial at the code of conduct tribunal (CCT), more consultations on major decisions, and making sure no one tampers with your structures in Kwara APC, but it seems you had other plans, the Presidency!
Leader Sir, I used to refer to you as a political genius, not because of anything, but due to your gift of careful analysis, apt studying, and relatively always-correct prediction of yours, and I'm sure by now that you already know that 2019 wouldn't be business as usual. If you look at the number of presidential aspirants that we have, let's keep aside the germane fact that most aren't serious, but the lesson from it is that people are more politically exposed and asking for what rightly belongs to them, good governance! Kudos to you and the National Assembly, the "Not too young to run bill" that was passed into law has reawakened the youths and boosted their self-confidence, they are now more than ever-ready to vote and be voted for. It's quite unfortunate that you have been deceived by those who supported your defection, particularly the youths, most youth groups that called for your defection only did it to satisfy their paymasters, it wasn't due to their personal conviction as most of them still loves PMB and when the aces are down, and time to vote beckons whilst nobody is watching, they would still thumb for PMB and APC, many others especially in Kwara Central are ready to defy their leaders or parents as the case may be just to vote for PMB, they are "Sarakites on the tongue but Buharists on the thumb". How I wished you've listened and hearkened to the voices of people who had no personal interest, selfish thoughts, or hidden agenda, but you listened to those that sees politics as a means to pay their bills instead of a means to further elevate the Kwaran project. Alas, it's too late for you!


Leader Sir, I know some hates you because they are jealous of your exploits cum positions, others hates you because they didn't get what they expected from you, just the same way you also hate PMB because you didn't get what you expected from him, but I don't hate you, I always pray to Allah to lead you to the right path, the path where you would prioritize your people, and make human capital development and growth one of the cardinal points of your ideology. The simple reason why someone like me and many other like-minded fellows can't subject ourselves to your biddings isn't far-fetched, it is because of your love for medicrioty over competency, your preference for dafts over intellectuals, anyone that must have a key position in your dynasty must either be a mediocre or pretend and act as one, the earliest you change this mentality, the best not just for you but for all and sundry. Truth be said, you are the brightest chance that Kwara has for the time being if we want to produce the President of this Nation, but how would that come into fruition when you are hated with genuine passion even in your own State?


Leader Sir, I sincerely do hope that you go back to the drawing board, look genuinely at your mistakes, recruit people who truly loves the people, engage capable hands, and lastly seek the forgiveness of all Kwarans, but before all these can be achieved, the dynasty needs to be disbanded by you, and if you don't, Kwarans would still assist you in doing that, by decisively dealing a huge blow to the dynasty come 2019, my prayers remains that "May the Dynasty Get Weak, May the Structures Get Dispersed, and May the Chains Get Broken", not for anything but for the redemption of yourself and the true liberation of Kwarans, until then, I still remain where the voice of the people leads me to, fortunately for me, it's not the dynasty!

Yours Kwaran,
Issa Mutolib Ayobami,
Kwara State SCCD Coordinator.

Open Letter to President of the Senate, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki.

Open Letter to President of the Senate, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki.