“Leadership is a purposive call to action, impactful mentorship and yielding the call to great responsibility”- ‘Tosin Ayo
Greatness they say is not a correlate of position, but of positive and plausible disposition. Whilst some great people’s nobility is ancestral, some rose to the epoch of greatness by a sheer dint of hardwork, dedication to duty and unyielding commitment to the ideal. This is why there are more men ennobled by study than by nature. A man therefore either attains prominence by nature or by nurture, but chiefly by nurture. JKF is however a classic example of an achiever blessed by nature, who graciously excelled by nurture.
I join many millions of Nigerians to profusely congratulate this outstanding Nigerian, dependable compatriot, icon of democracy, forthright Political leader, sound intellectual, Second Term Governor of Ekiti State and Chairman of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum on the occasion of his 55th birth anniversary on earth.
I got wind of this influential motivator, selfless patriot, prolific change agent, irrepressible Democrat, worthy ambassador, core intellectual, illustrious Ekiti son, amiable Political strategist, astute civil society doyen, patriotic citizen and world-renowned War Scholar in the year 2006 as an undergraduate student of the then University of Ado-Ekiti through my late friend and Law classmate, Barr. Kole Ajayi. I had written a piece on the coming into governance of the great Ekiti son in the now defunct Forum Newspapers. Egbon Kole had told me then that JKF would govern Ekiti State and go on to be a great Leader over the times. May God rest his amiable soul.
By divine providence, his victory was eventually proclaimed on the 15th day of October, 2010 whilst we were at the Nigerian Law School, Abuja. I had received a text message from Egbon Kole saying ‘JKF declared Ekiti Governor by the Appeal court’ whilst in the Lecture hall. Chants of jubilation rented the air as we all trooped out to celebrate the coming of a man many of us admired from afar. Non-Ekiti indigenes inclusive. This was the quantum of goodwill Mr. Governor enjoyed and still enjoys all over the country.
My next contact with this quintessential leader was on the 11th day of August, 2013 during his first term when I was invited through Hon. Adeoye Aribasoye to address the beneficiaries of JKF personal Overseas Education sponsorship to Ekiti indigenes who secured admissions to Oxford and Havard Universities. This is the JKF I know- a man totally committed to transforming people’s dreams into reality. A man who appreciates excellence and has good eyes for sound minds. I was then the President of the International African Postgraduate Students, United Kingdom Chapter. Our deep conversation on several issues of national importance afterwards never left me. I knew I had found a leader I greatly corresponded with, a bright mind and a man unabashedly committed to the Ekiti project.
Not one given to man-worshipping or etching aimlessly at the fringes of power for personal aggrandisement, I continued to admire JKF from afar, yet anew. Each time Mr. Governor displays uncommon wit as he often and always does or shows his stuff as a Scholar by merit either during his Screening as Minister or periscope, an interview or similar intellectual engagement, many of my friends across the country send me messages to congratulate me. ‘That’s your Governor doing you people proud. The Ekiti- true home of intellectuals we know’. I feel proud that I am from Ekiti. He has indeed graciously restored our lost pride and honour by the way he carries himself with dignity, panache and decorum as our Leader.
As we all appreciate God on the occasion of his 55th birthday celebration which epitomises a commendable milestone in his eventful life, it will therefore be unjust If I do not cloth my felicitation in form and celebrate a man chosen by providence to lead our State, yet again. For only God crowns Kings.
It has indeed been a great watershed of achievement and moral conquest for this highly cerebral ideologue, seasoned Scholar, a formidable player with civil society experience, a shinning strobe, thoroughly knowledgeable Political icon and compassionate Nigerian. I feel highly elated and privileged to personally know one of the greatest Nigerian leaders and I am even more excited to pay him glowing well-deserved tributes on this auspicious occasion. I make bold to say that with leaders like JKF, there is hope for our dear country, Nigeria. It is in this light that I want to reiterate Kongi’s eternal words that if JKF
was at the saddle of any assignment, you could go to sleep with the assurance that it would be done and perfectly too.
You have demonstrated your passion for Education and the welfare of the incoming generation to me many times over. From your generous sponsorship of my students to Kenya for the John. H. Jackson International Moot Competition to your gracious and unwavering support for the Ekiti Youth Agenda, you have remained an invaluable source of inspiration Sir.
It is not a passing mission to pay a glowing tribute to one of the few men who give me hope of a better generation and stands tall like a shinning light in the glare of our nation’s pervading darkness. JKF as he is fondly called is a very altruistic, kind-hearted, deep, impactful, youth-friendly, dispassionate, honest and credible Ekiti son from Isan-Ekiti who has contributed so much to the democratic and political firmament of our great country, Nigeria in general both in private and public life. He possesses an intimidating credential. From his commendable involvement in the ouster of the military junta, the radio Kudirat days to his ascension into public office through ideological politics, he remains the man to watch or beat.
A strong believer in democratic tenets, the rule of law and the sanctity of the judiciary. He fought tirelessly to reclaim his stolen mandate in 2010 and returned as Governor in October 2018. He is a man I usually describe as living many years ahead of his generation. Blunt to a fault, yet diplomatic enough to maintain valuable relationships. He chose the seeming unpopular path of propriety, sticking to principles, finesse and accountability bereft of the politics of tokenism and joint peppersouping that was almost becoming the norm. The Governor’s Governor and a leading light. JKF remains a tissue of public accountability, transparency, probity and impeccable integrity. Never have I met a man more dignifying than our own JKF. A rallying point and a pioneer of everything good on all frontiers.
JKF exemplifies due diligence, due process, excellent service delivery, unshaking integrity, enviable credibility, decorum, panache and civility in and outside Public office. A man with good eyes for quality men and ideas. I have read and written extensively about great leaders all my life- the JKF story will be a great study in perseverance, continence, civil engagement and order in public office. It will be a great delight and honour to write the compelling tale. It will not just be a history of greatness, but a foretelling of hope for a brighter future. The story of how a young man rose from the humble valley of Ekiti to lead his people and his nation.
May I therefore profusely felicitate with you this day. As you commemorate the anniversary of your eventful arrival on planet earth Sir, I, like most well-meaning Nigerians make bold to say that you amaze us daily, not only because you possess the candour, wit, intelligence, character, doubtless integrity, leadership capacity, forceful drive, intense ingenuity, dogged commitment, passionate persistence and natural charisma of leadership for the high office you currently occupy, but because you remain humble and accessible despite them all. We are more certain of greater heights and higher responsibility for you in this country in the near future.
I join well-meaning Nigerians, your associates, cabinet, hub of appointees, your proud mentees, friends, admirers, followers, supporters, proteges and your very delectable and supportive wife, Erelu Bisi Fayemi to wish a most hearty birthday to the quintessential giant of no mean repute. We celebrate you Sir. Ad multos annos.