BAO 101: THE POWER OF EXPERIENCE.

BAO 101: THE POWER OF EXPERIENCE.

By: Adekoya Lateeph ADEWUMI 

Firms understand mostly the term Experience; the basis or essence of new hands recruitment into their organisations. They often substitute educational attainment for experience when the need arises. 

There are some job offers that require cognate experience before you can be considered despite having prequisite paper qualification, the employer would critically look at the applicant's previous experience in similar position. Most employers would opt for lower paper qualification with long years of experience particularly when it has to do with managerial position.

Managers are specifically to manage humans, financials and operations. They are team leaders, they set objectives, analyze performance and make decisions. To manage people to maximum efficiency, you must have some level of education, exposure, training and most importantly, have a leader or a mentor who has trodden the path before to guard and guide you to success. However, it's never been a crime for anyone to apply for a position not qualified for, it's the just job of the human resources department to determine who fits the position.

On June 18, 2022. Ekiti hired His Excellency Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji, a good manager through their vote to manage their affairs for the next 4 years. He's  a Brilliant, accomplished and outstanding person who has passed through some political tutelage within same system over years. I wrote a piece titled 'Ekiti 2022, Continuity with Caveat', where I laid emphasis on experience, we might all have good character, dedication and enviable reputation but experience can not be shoved aside. 

BAO is a worthy Chief Executive as affirmed by his immediate staff, the civil service, they are proud of him. The indices of good governance from civil service perspectives start from prompt payment of salary, deductions and allowances, emoluments, regular training and promotions, seminars, 13 months and ultimately, regular payment of pension and gratuity to the  retired hands. BAO is excellent in all these aforementioned, he has a good testimonial from them. Recently i noticed it is even a crime to malign BAO in their presence, they are well prepared to defend him like the way Chief Wole Olanipekun and his team are defending President Bola Tinubu at Supreme court. 

It is very rare though not a taboo, for the State Chief Executive to be in harmony with the Civil Service. The usual frosty relationship is inability of the Governor to tick all their boxes. Governor Oyebanji knew this and deliberately avoid such pitfall by doing the needful few days to every month end. When you examine the anatomy of Ekiti APC, the civil service is APC 2, everyone of them wants their voice to be heard like Segun Dipe, the APC 1 spokesman.

In another development, the most prevalent problem in Nigeria politics is the problem of god-fatherism. In fact this often ignites fire almost immediately after swearing into office because of interests, patronage and undue influence. The interest will always push the followers to fan embers of suspiciong where there is none.

I was at last stakeholders meeting held at Osuntokun Pavillion, Government House Ground where BAO declared that Otunba Adeniyi Adebayo is his Grandfather, Dr Kayode Fayemi is his father, and himself, the son. With humility, BAO has managed his relationship with predecessors very wel. Though there may be disagreements here and there but he has never allowed Omoluabi spirit to forsake him. He has humility in aburdance. He has projected the positive aspect of godfatherism to all those that matter in the state. He will pay them courtesy visit, take their view and insight on critical matters. He amplified the proper way for a male to greet the elders in Yoruba land, Aare Afe Babalola, the iconc statesman from Ekiti has received countless of this Omoluabi gesture from our Excellency.

Equally, He vowed to continue with all the uncompleted projects left behind by his predecessors, he has started ticking them one by one, from Traditional Rulers' Complex, Oja Oba Motor park, ongoing Independent Power Project, Cargo Airport etc. It may interest you to know that Omuo and it's environs now has light after many years of darkness. Ikogosi warm spring  has been taken over by an investor where you can enjoy with your family on leisure, hold strategic business meetings and many other govt facilities in various sectors are currently undergoing maintenance and repair.

BAO really means business by giving the local government councils free hand to operate without undue interference on their monthly allocation and projects that  can benefit  their localities. I have listened to him on many fora, he's very strategic and meticulous in handling state affair. Ekiti is one of the 8 states that have received Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) between the Q1 and Q2 2023, thanks to Governor Oyebanji for making Ekiti Sate business friendly environment for investors. 

In the same vein, he has also adhered strictly to his campaign promise that he would put the local content act to practice in Ekiti and that was evident during the supply of vehicles by Ekiti Car dealers to the State Government recently for Education officers in all our local government Areas. He also engages Ekiti contractors in most capital projects going on across the state except where it requires specialised skills and expertise.

It is amazing to see APC 3 in the anatomy of APC, being Catholic than the pope himself. Opposition praises BAO daily for being a good Man and when that is happening, surely you don't need a diviner or fortune teller to tell you that BAO has passed oxygen to them. 

I was taken aback sometimes in August when the opposition figure, Osoko himself declared BAO for second term when we are yet to celebrate BAO 101. Opposition in Ekiti is not dead but hibernating in swamp for the rain that may never come soon though BAO will continue the irrigation in the absence of rain because we also need them around.

Happily and joyfully, Osoko gave his street credibility handout to BAO freely without hesitation to continue where he stopped. The Smart BAO has remodified the Street Credibility to accommodate compassion and humanitarian services. He has wiped away tears from many, uplifted many to make out living, set people free from hospitals by paying their bills, reduce destitute from the streets by providing succour to them etc. 

BAO has simplified governance by allowing all inclusive participation from  all strata.

Governor Oyebanji daily showcases the experience he had garnered in over two decades of our democracy.  You may say Otunba Adeniyi Adebayo only relates with his affluent and elite friends because he's one them but BAO relates with the haves and have nots. Also you may critzise Ayo Fayose the Irunmole himself for being on the street eating Amala and folded Ponmo soaked with pepper without scrupples, Oyebanji boards keke napep and purchased same for a female rider without a blink. What of Chief Segun Oni, a workaholic, who doesn't have time to socialise but you will see our BAO on the street like any other day on inspection and supervision. You accused Governor Fayemi of being too elitist, an afficionado in policy formulation and strategic thinking, who many see as self-consumed but his successor is in your face and will surely come prostrating for you. 

That is the power of experience, it shows clearly that he has learnt one or two thing from his predecessors and that has helped him to shape his purposeful governance in the last one year. 

As we celebrate  BAO 101, we are very hopeful that we'll have more to write about when we celebrate BAO 102 this time next year. Congratulations to the well loved, hard working Governor and wishing you, Happy Anniversary.!!!

Written by Hon. Comrade Adekoya Lateeph Adewumi, a public analyst, loyal member of the All Progressives Congress(APC) Party, and a supporter of good governance.