BAORESS@54: A Toast to An Icon of Humanity.

BAORESS@54: A Toast to An Icon of Humanity.

By Raheem Akingbolu.

Dr. Olayemi Oyebanji, an Associate Professor and wife of Ekiti State Governor, is 54 today to the Glory of God. Having worked with her closely, I can say without any contradiction that what defines her is not necessarily her office as First Lady but her penchant for humanity and service to God. 

Her willpower and focus to bring out the best wherever she finds herself has tenaciously distinguished her from the rest. She pays attention to details with a primal vision of setting new standards and raising the bar in her quests to uplift mankind. She devotes a considerable part of her time, energy and resources, on a regular basis, in advancing the cause of the less privileged and championing initiatives that support the needy in our society. Her dream is aimed at empowering and uplifting the disadvantaged people regardless of their age, education status, religious and political affiliations.

Just recently,  through her Widows, Aged, and Orphans Hope (WAOH) Support Foundation, Dr. Oyebanji empowered over 400 widows and orphans in Ekiti state. The initiative also provided scholarships to 50 pupils from primary school to university level and financial support of ₦100,000 each to 50 undergraduates.

Peter, NOT Peter the Apostle; but Peter, the hero of Hugh Walpole’s novel, FORTITUDE, said: ‘It isn’t life that matters; but the courage you bring to it.’ This, perhaps, summarizes the events that have consistently shaped the life of today’s birthday ‘girl’ -our elegant, humble and amiable First Lady.

Before her husband was inaugurated as Governor and she naturally resumed office as the First Lady, not many Nigerians had heard of this University lecturer and her stabilizing role in the home of the Oyebanjis.

For Dr. Oyebanji, expectations were high when she came on board because of many factors. 

But while the hues and encomiums were on, BAORESS, as she is fondly called, remained calm and preferred to study the situation to avoid playing to the gallery. She told everybody who cared to listen that she doesn’t, as a person, jump on the bandwagon. Being a senior lecturer at a reputable University -the University of Ibadan, Dr. Oyebanji saw the need to first research and evaluate the situation on ground before embarking on any project. Of course, she also didn’t allow the razzmatazz that characterized the early days of her husband in office to derail her spiritual life. To this end, the First Lady waited for two things; the result of the survey she initiated and the voice of God. Thus, she hit the ground running with the launch of the WAOH Project last year. The success of last year and this year events and the testimonies of over 750 (350 in 2023 and and 400 in 2024) vulnerable people who have been empowered speak volumes about the character of Dr. Oyebanji.

It must be added that before the official unveiling of her project, the First Lady had worked tremendously unannounced to lift many people and contribute her quota to Ekiti’s development in a unique manner. Among other ways, she had given financial assistance to those in need in hospitals, indigent students in schools, and women in the SMEs. For me, the peak of her approach to touching lives in a different and more impactful manner, has been the volunteer lectures she gives at various institutions in Ekiti State, where she has offered to teach students of Education Management for free, as a means of contributing to their development.

Oyebanji has said her gesture was borne out of her desire to leave her comfort zone in the Government House to do what she knows best – teaching and imparting knowledge to the students.

According to her, she is fulfilling one of the three core values of the academic profession, which include teaching, researching, and community service, noting her being the First Lady cannot take her away from her love for students as well as helping to mold their future.

Dr. Oyebanji is an accomplished scholar. Long before the media attention, following the inauguration of her husband, as helmsman of Ekiti State, she was a senior lecturer at the Department of Education Management at the University of Ibadan. Determined to make a difference in the lives of the Ekiti people, especially the women and children, the Ado-Ekiti princess has since embraced her duties as a supportive wife, mother, and lover of humanity.

Her simple disposition, unassuming personality, and down-to-earth nature, coupled with her intellectual prowess distinguish her from her contemporaries.

With a robust resume, the governor’s wife caught a picture different from her humble and gentle mien. Of all her achievements in life, Oyebanji’s teaching career as a university lecturer and her status as a born-again Christian, are two things that influence her life more than anything.

Dr. Oyebanji’s career trajectory has always revolved around the classroom as a teacher. Reflecting on this new status, she couldn’t have imagined at the beginning of her marital journey to Governor Oyebanji that he would one day seek an elective post.

Like her husband, Dr. Oyebanji has a homegrown advantage as a diligent young lady who had her primary and secondary school education in Ado Ekiti. As a brilliant child at primary and secondary schools, she was always being charged with responsibilities, the peak of which was her emergence as the Senior Prefect Girl at the Baptist Secondary School, Ado Ekiti in 1988.

Dr. Oyebanji is very strong-willed and she exhibits self-confidence, but yet she will exercise those leadership qualities in a very loving and motherly manner over those who were under her spiritual, political and educational care. She has such a close walk with the Lord so much so that one could sense a strong presence of the Holy Spirit in her family progression, a success that is beyond human words to explain.

As this woman of immense grace clocks 54 today, friends and associates are already in ecstasy of celebration of a woman who is determined to bring the best out of Ekiti women and children. Happy birthday Her Excellency!