The recent visit by Governor Biodun Oyebanji of Ekiti State to fire-fighters who handle a fire incident that would have become major disaster in Ado Ekiti has further created a special bond between the governor and people of the state.
Perhaps if the visit of Governor Biodun Oyebanji to the home of Osho Oluwasola, a Higher Superintendent of the Ekiti State Fire Service, on a Sunday evening had been during the electioneering period, most Nigerians would have dismissed it as nothing but a gimmick to woo the electorates. But the fact the unscheduled visit took place two years into his government, when he was already settled in office, made it generated a lot of positive comments online and offline, even among the opposition.
The story started a week earlier when fire engulfed a popular filling station on the popular Adebayo Street, in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital and Oluwasola and his team swiftly responded and extinguished the raging fire. Of course, not without some of the gallant officers sustaining minor injuries. They were hailed by the people and everybody thought it had ended there. But as a leader who felt the pains of the officers and appreciated their commitment, Oyebanji didn’t allow the story to end there. He saw the need to boost their morale and give the gallant officers a pat on the back.
Days after, the governor who was not in town when the incident occurred, arrived the state capital and drove straight to Osho’s residence to express the gratitude of the Government and people of the state. Expectedly, a mammoth crowd had gathered to show appreciation to the governor, who made a sudden appearance in their neighborhood. The shouts of ‘BAO! BAO!’ rented the air but the governor solemnly waved and entered Osho’s house. He commended the selfless and heroic acts of the officers for their swift response and assured them he’s fully with them. In particular, Oyebanji sat with Osho, and gave some kind words which went well with the onlookers.
The firefighter and his wife were overwhelmed with emotions on sighting the governor at their residence in Dalimore area of the state capital.
According to Oyebanji, he came to express the gratitude of the government and people of the state to Osho, stressing that he also wanted to follow up on his recovery, having been hospitalised over the injury he sustained during the operation.
The governor commended the firefighter and engaged him on aspects of his job during the visit which lasted about 20 minutes.
Speaking with journalists shortly after the visit, Oyebanji hailed the firefighter and his team for their gallantry, pointing out that their effectiveness in curtaining the fire was a reflection of the dedication of public servants in the state to their duties.
He said the swift response of the State Fire Service officials was instrumental to timely quenching of what could have been a major fire disaster in the state.
Oyebanji attributed the effectiveness of the state fire service to emergencies to his administration’s huge investment in firefighting equipment as well as government‘s efforts at revamping the agency.
The governor said the state fire service under his administration had undergone significant transformation, adding that the agency has been revamped, with staff undergoing rigorous training programmes on different aspects of emergency response in order to enhance their capacity. This, according to him, is in addition to the deployment of fire trucks across senatorial districts in the state thereby ensuring swift response and effectiveness during emergencies.
He also used the opportunity to interact with residents who had trooped out in their large numbers, upon sighting him in the neighborhood. He assured the people that his government would continue to prioritize the safety and security of lives, properties and investments in the state.
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According to him, his administration’s investment in emergency response such as fire service and others were part of a broader strategy to create a safe and thriving environment for all.
“I came here for two reasons, to thank one of our gallant firefighters, who is a staff of Ekiti State Fire Service, Higher Superintendent Osho, who got injured while responding to an emergency fire incident at a filling station. With that singular act, they saved many lives, investments and a lot of properties.
“But in the course of that, he was injured, and was rushed to the hospital. I was out of the state then, but I was monitoring his recovery. So I just came here today to confirm the report I got that he is responding to treatment and I’m happy he’s recuperating well. I’m here to also thank him on behalf of the government and people of Ekiti State for making us proud,” the governor said.
In his response, the fire fighter, Mr Olusola expressed his deepest gratitude for the governor’s visit and the massive support he and his team got from the state government.
Describing the visit as a morale booster, Osho reaffirmed his commitment to serving the state, stating that the incident had only strengthened his resolve to protect lives and properties.
But did the visit portray Oyebanji differently? The answer is no. The governor was only being the person he has always been. Unknown to most people, before he showed interest in the governorship contest of the state, Abiodun Oyebanji had always been a man of compassion and kindness. Unfortunately, he has always chosen to keep those humanitarian gestures away from the public. According to a source, Oyebanji has in the past come to the aid of individuals and organisations.
However, during the electioneering campaigns, a few people who have benefited from Oyebanji’s largesse while he was in office, either as commissioner or Secretary to the State Government came out willingly to campaign for him. In many fora ahead of the June 2022 election, some of these people came out to give testimonies of how Oyebanji ‘bailed’ them out of their financial or bureaucratic difficulties.
Two of such people were; the Muslim Community and an Igbo business magnate, Mr Gilbert Igweka. During a courtesy visit to the home of the President of League of Imams and Alfas in Yorubaland, Sheik Jamiu Kewulere, who doubles as Chief Imam of Ado Ekiti, the cleric, in an attempt to sell BAO to his members, reminded them of how the candidate as the SSG saved the Ekiti Muslim Community of huge embarrassment when it was the turn of the state to host the Sultan of Sokoto, the spiritual leader of Nigeria’s Muslims.
According to Kewulere, the stage was set to host the Sultan but the Muslim community was overwhelmed with the resources needed to host such a personality. They called on various organisations within the Muslim community for donation but what they realised was not even enough to facilitate the Sultan’s coming from the Airport. At this stage, it crossed the mind of Kewulere to approach the government and he called on a few aides to follow him to the Governor’s office to table their challenges before the Governor.
On arrival at the office, they met Mr. Oyebanji who was about to go out on an official assignment and he greeted the team warmly. Kewulere didn’t waste time, he told him their mission and Oyebanji dismissed it as a minor issue. “Baba is that why you have chosen to come to the Governor? Sultan is the state visitor and everything will be done to give him the best treatment,” Oyebanji was quoted to have said.
According to Sheikh Kewulere, within 30 minutes, Oyebanji has provided an air-conditioned coaster bus, two SUVs to pick the Sultan and his entourage from the airport and arranged for the best hotel in town for their accommodation while the visit lasted. The rest is history.
BAO’s response to Igweka’s need was not in cash but in kind. At a meeting held with the Igbo community across the State in Ado Ekiti, Igweka narrated how he almost lost a landed property to some people, among them unscrupulous government officials. After all efforts to claim his land had almost failed, he had no choice but to go to the Governor’s office where fate brought him face to face with Oyebanji who swung to action immediately and resolved the problem. Igweka got his land back.
Meanwhile, this kind of gestures were not only extended to the rich and the influential people, a lot of vulnerable people were also lifted by Oyebanji. He paid school fees and hospital bills for many people and a few of them came out to identify with him during the campaign. They saw BAO’s 2022 election as a paid back time and they voted him in as governor.
Reacting to the recent visit of the governor to the home of the firefighter officers, a Lagos based Journalist, Samuel Ajayi, said it has added to the profile of the governor as a leader that feels the pains of his people.
“I’m not used to praising singing but if a leader does a commendable act, I will point it out and if a leader does otherwise I will also express my disappointment. On the visit to that young man who was injured while in active service to the state, I commend Governor Oyebanji and I challenge other Nigerian leaders to toe the line. The governor has simply shown the world that he has blood running in his veins and he feels for his people, regardless of class and gender.” Ajayi said in an interview with journalist.
Akingbolu writes from Aramoko-Ekiti
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