Bibliophile, writer, author and Ekiti State Governor, Kayode Fayemi has affirmed the place and importance of reading in his development and career choices in an interview with the BDSUNDAY trending ‘My Book World’ section.
Fayemi, in his home office, spoke of his love for reading from childhood and how that has informed and influenced his activities. Asked the role of his passion as a bibliophile in his career, he stated: “Very critical role. Even my getting into politics was informed by my childhood connection to reading. I grew up with a father who was an Information Officer in government. Newspapers were all over the place. As a child it was a must for me to read newspapers. I then grew very much attached to it.”
The governor recalled a recent encounter that epitomises his connection to books. “Somebody saw me the other day who I had not seen since my secondary school days and he said, do I still carry a James Hadley Chase book around? (laughter). Apparently, I used to do this a lot when I was young. That is his abiding memory of me. Just sitting in one corner, not bothered by anything around me, totally engrossed. Reading has been a major part of my life. People find it strange when they come into my car and find loads of books there or in my office.”
Fayemi affirmed, “I cannot be too busy not to read because there are always lessons that are ingrained in what you read. You are actually what you read”.
Ekiti State is renowned for its love for education and many educated persons. Fayemi said he was reviving interest in knowledge production in the state through schemes and competitions. They include the Ekiti Knowledge City that would be a combination AgriTech, biomedical, ICT innovation and outsourcing place. There are also competitions for younger citizens such as the JKF Essay competition.
The governor said Ekiti State has the support-in-principle of the African Development Bank and Afrexim Bank for the Knowledge City. It would run on public-private sector partnership basis.
A doctorate in War Studies from the University of London, Kayode Fayemi read History at the University of Lagos and International Relations at the Obafemi Awolowo University. He played active roles in the prodemocracy movement of the military era, running the Radio Kudirat from offshore Nigeria.
His book Out of The Shadows tells the story of exile and the struggle for democracy while he wrote four books to capture each year of his first tenure as Ekiti State governor. They are Reclaiming the Trust, Regaining The Legacy, Legacy of Honourable Service and Staying The Course.
Fayemi spoke on his book preferences, recommended must-read books for young people and the state’s economic path under his leadership. He spoke about the agreements with private sector players for the Ikun Dairy, reviving Ikogosi Resorts, Fountain Hotels and much more.
The governor’s discussion of his book choices will feature in My Book World in our Executive BookShelf section next Sunday. Other aspects of the interview would also run in BusinessDay this week. Book your copy.
Executive Bookshelf is an interactive exploration of the world of books involving authors, readers, publishers, distributors and everyone in the book value chain. A major draw is My Book World featuring conversations with all these players. The goal is to promote interest in book reading in the country through shared experiences and conversations.
Respondents are leaders whose opinions and choices of books would influence many individuals and groups. Chido Nwakanma, adjunct faculty at the School of Media and Communication, Pan Atlantic University and editorial board member of BusinessDay, coordinates.
Respondents have included Prof. Juan Elegido, vice chancellor, Pan Atlantic University, Lagos; Bunmi Oke, former president AAPN and member of the 2014 Constitutional Conference, Patrick Okigbo 111, promoter of Enugu Town Hall Nkata Umuibe and Tony Onyima, former Commissioner in Anambra State and former managing director of The Sun newspapers.
