Akala and the secret of fame

It is no exaggeration to say that the world was agog celebrating the birthday of a former Governor of Oyo State, Otunba Christopher Adebayo Alao Akala, as he turned 70 last June 3. I know there are several other people including world great achievers born on this day, I am not sure that there is any other person being celebrated and appreciated today more than the ebullient, pragmatic, charismatic, munificent 16th governor of Oyo State, across the globe.

From last week, the media, including the social media, have been dominated with stories on the Otun of the Source and since midnight, seven out of ten posts in virtually all the social media platforms are messages, stickers and posters on Alao Akala. It is a period when lovers of the Ogbomosho born politician are showing love and gratitude to the man that means so many things to so many people. The man that has lifted many out of poverty; the man that has promoted friends from gloom to lime light; the man that has provided succor to many sick people; the man that has made beggars to be landlords; the man that has made great impacts in the lives of thousands and still making.

Conversely, as there is no way one would be in this world without having enemies, no matter how good or generous one is, some would still hate for no reason whatsoever. This period provides opportunity for the haters of Alao Akala too. It is an opportunity to hate themselves more and carry their heavy burden of hatred. Except, they could permanently close their eyes and block their ears, what they have been reading, hearing and watching from last week would have made them feel so terrible about themselves. It is a time they would ask, “Why do I hate this man?” Probably, the time they would cease hating him. That is however, their own, wahala.

Clearly and without any fear of contradiction, Akala remains one of the most loved, famous personalities in Nigeria today. He is loved as a politician; he is loved as a socialite; he is loved as a native; he is loved as a family man and he is loved as a friend. Alao Akala gets thunderous ovation any where he goes.

But why is Akala so loved by the people? The simple answer is love and forgiveness. Love begets love and when you forgive, people respect and love you the more. At home, Akala plants seeds of love. He gives love as a family man and this takes root, germinates and goes ahead of him wherever he goes. This is why his love for Ogbomosho is non-pareil. Akala loves Ogbomoso and he doesn’t pretend about it. Alao Akala was born into a Christian, baptist family and he has never deviated from that path. He doesn’t joke with his faith and he holds tight to it. The yearly carol service in his Ogbomoso home is a must every year. He loves his religion and he flaunts it. Akala was in the Police Force and he still shows love and loyalty to the force till tomorrow.

Just like President Muhammadu Buhari who has never hidden his love for his family, his native Daura town, his tribe Fulani, his profession, the military and Islam, his religion; Alao Akala loves and feels proud always about his roots-Akala family, Ogbomoso, Baptist, Nigeria Police and Oyo State.

This is not a matter of promoting tribalism or nepotism, it is a reality that before you are from a city, you are first, a product of a family and before you are a citizen of a state, you are an indigene of a local government area and before being a Nigerian , you are from a state. It is only somebody with love for his family that can be genuinely passionate about his town, and so on. President Muhammadu Buhari will continue to win with overwhelming majority in the North against any politician. No matter who is the opposing candidate, President Buhari will win across the nation, if there is room for a third term. It is the power of love and a solid base.

To command a great consistent followership, especially in politics, you need a base where you are recognised and loved by your people. I know some would want to controvert this with the victory of President Olusegun Obasanjo in the 1999 elections but those were exceptional circumstances and times.

• Olaosebikan wrote from Ibadan, Oyo State

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