By Oke Aruleba@Deprof
“A Speech is like a love affairs. Any fool can start it, but to end it requires considerable SKILLS” Lord Mancroft.
We have had countless speeches delivered in diverse fora in Ekiti: economic, educational, social and political speehes inclusive. But there has never been a speech well-structured and alluring in the annals of Ekiti as BAO’s Manifesto- Speech of Hope and Consolidation delivered on April 27, 2022.
The reassuring and lease -of- life giving speech will go down in history of Ekiti as a “Manifesto-speech of Hope and Consolidation.”
Apart from the fact that BAO’s speech is aesthetically and captivatingly crafted to achieve its desired goal of commanding the ATTENTION and INTEREST of the Ekiti AUDIENCE from the outset, it is obvious that Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji knows his PEOPLE, their INTEREST, PREJUDICES, and EXPECTATIONS.
The epoch-making speech, encapsulating BAO’s Six -Point Developmental Agenda, registers his indebtedness to God Almighty, Ekiti People and his Great Party (APC).
It further highlights the unalloyed collective and cooperative Power of Ekiti people in making Ekiti State a great political entity.
BAO’s life-changing Manifesto, by a high degree, harps on APC Developmental Strides in Ekiti.
It creatively hints that BAO is surely on the threshold of honour to take over the baton of Ekiti affairs from the Amiable Governor , Dr Kayode Fayemi, as such it is incumbent on BAO to make real the saying that “to whom much is given, much is expected.”
His speech, therefore, uses the medium of his looking -ahead moment of fulfilment of history in Ekiti to bestow honour on the KNOWN SKILLFUL PILOT , who sits at the controls while the developmental space-craft of Ekiti State soars into orbit.
BAO’s Speech, by the same token, registers his indebtedness to the KNOWN and the UNKNOWN land CREW in Ekiti, who have made this successful journey possible.
Above all, Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji’s speech is uniquely woven and hinged on the theoretical framework of Rhetorical Triangle, which is essentially a unique method to organise and distinguish the three convincing strategic elements of rhetorics: Logos, Pathos, and Ethos.
The issue-based speech lays bare the incoming Governor’s CREDIBILITY and degree of AUTHORITY, especially in relation to his Six -Point Agenda- Manifesto of Hope and Consilidation when BAO says:
“This is not a politician’s usual PROMISE to a voting public but a PLEDGE from an EKITI MAN to his PEOPLE. This is a promise from me to you that WE will build on our achievements as a State and strive for more.”
It is not an act of blind optimism or senseless demonstration of HERO-WORSHIP to say that the speech is a clear departure from the usual Political Statements that reek of empty promises emanating from the political jobbers and mistletoes, nay , the Apostles of Stomach Infrastructure,, who are not in any mould socialised into the OMOLUWABI Culture of INTEGRITY “.
Put simply, BAO’s Manifesto-speech is a concrete statement of Ethos arising from his enviable pedigree as an Astute and Accountable Administrator, who is about to take charge of the affairs of his dear People in a familiar political terrain in Ekiti State.
Without mincing words, BAO’s Speech underscores his PLEDGE to Ekiti people, which involves a significant degree of AUTHORITY to the noble People of Ekiti.
The good news is that the premise upon which his speech is situated offers a sound and valid conclusion that BAO will not allow his ETHOS to be damaged in the twinkling of an eye!
BAO is a man of INTEGRITY, whose Word is his Bond.
Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji in his excellent speech also presents a professionally researched facts with which he and enviable squad will hunker down to accomplish the tasks of taking Ekiti State to Eldorado of her dream. His speech is not an empty boast or a string of political balderdash crafted to garner votes from Ekiti Electorate.
Needless to say, the epochal speech is nothing short of an apt portrayal of BAO as a listening leader, who sincerely means BUSINESS and wants the BEST for Ekiti People.
His Speech of Hope and Continuity , in part , makes it manifest that BAO places a high premium on recommendations from QUALIFIED EXPERTS to run the State. The incoming Chief of State has this to say:
“I am sharing the ideas that have been carefully designed to keep our State working with you. These ideas have come from my interactions with various categories of Ekiti citizens at home and abroad. I have listened carefully to all that has been said to me”
Permit me to say that the incoming Man in the Saddle of Ekiti State’s speech in a way rekindles a pathos-like HOPE in the HOPELESS Ekiti Kete. A VISION of a NEW EKITI of our dream, like a movie scene, is played out to the delight of the entire Ekiti populace as they look forward to BAO chauveur- driving them to greater developmental heights on his assumption of office as the Ekiti State Governor.
One important and useful insight about BAO’s attitude towards Governance the speech offers is contained in his terse phrase that: “there is no overnight Magic Wand” to translate Ekiti State into an Oasis of Peace, Freedom and Prosperity unless the steady and Collective efforts of Ekiti People.
Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji, while articulating his VISION for Ekiti People, uses the pronoun “We”. This clearly shows that Ekiti project is not going to be handed over to an “All-knowing, self-centered and vain-glorious Leader”. Neither is he is going to lead his People invoking a Win-Lose Strategy. Ekiti will be effectively run on a Win-Win basis. And the citizenry shall be better for it!
The Great Speech crafts an image of a Patriotic leader for BAO. His patriotic lexicon is deployed to soothe the opponents’ fears of intimidation , alienation or marginalization by assuring them that all EkitiKete will come together to forge a path of a glorious Destiny for Ekiti State during his tenure of office as Ekiti State Governor.
BAO via his insightful speech, creatively delves in familiar evocations of Ekiti history and brings to the fore the power of oneness , unity and cooperation when he says:
“There is more that unites us than there is that divides us. Our hopes, dreams, and love of this great State transcend religious, local Government and even party lines. My vision for a prosperous Ekiti is clear, and I cannot do it alone. Together with you, we can keep Ekiti State working. Together with you, we will achieve the Ekiti of our dreams.”
It is noteworthy that the speech from the begining to the last word is thought-provoking and tthoughful as it awakens the spirit of patriotism and creative genius in every EkitiKete, home and abroad.
“TOGETHER WITH YOU, LET’S KEEP EKITI WORKING.” is such a universalbor a clarion Call to Service to all OMOLUWABIS of EKITI origin.
No doubt, the above moving quote appeals to logic and it portends a season of Rebirth and an era of unprecedented Prosperity for Ekiti State.
Therefore, Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji must be voted as EKITI State Governor come June 18 Gubernatorial Election in Ekiti so that our beautiful Dream of a Greater EKITI will not be STILL-BORNE.
Vote BAO/MCA for Governor!
Vote FOS for MHR in Ado Ekiti!!
Vote APC!!!
Oke Aruleba@Deprof
A University lecturer
Ikere Indigene
08027906799
leorexinitiatives@gmail.com