By Alhaji Dauda Lawal(ADL)
John Kayode Fayemi, CON, the Governor of Ekiti State and Chairman of Nigeria’s Governors forum is 57 years old today. It is no doubt the celebration of one of the most influential and finest politicians in contemporary Nigeria politics.
Dr. Fayemi’s birthday is one of the finest moments for his admirers and followers to send their goodwill messages to a man who has been variously described as cerebral, calm, cool, and collected by many. No matter what his traducer may say about him, they are in consensus that JKF represents the finest of good breeding.
He represents the face of modern Nigerian politics that is cosmopolitan in nature, cerebral in content, and inclusive in practice. He is one man that has become synonymous with excellence and fine touch in every aspect of his public life.
As a cosmopolitan politician with wide contacts within and outside Nigeria, well connected among the development agencies circle, and generally respected for his depth and intellectual acuity, John Kayode Fayemi has continued to be a great influence on the praxis of development politics in Nigeria and beyond.
Since he came into the political space in 2005 after an undeniable record of excellent service in the civil society and policy advocacy circle, he has been an ambitious progressive policy change advocate in critical areas of human development. He has also leveraged his wide contacts to generously benefit Ekiti State where he is governor presently.
He became the chairman of Nigeria Governor’s Forum in 2019 through a consensus arrangement and he has since changed the image of the Forum from that of a power-mongering cult to that of development policy advocacy and peer review platform for horizontal learning. The Forum is now more positively reported, less acrimonious, less controversial, and an object of media musings.
All these testify to the quality of the leadership of JKF as we celebrate him today.
Many of us his followers are very proud to associate with his polished values and selfless service and record of performance as the Governor of Ekiti State despite many daunting challenges.
To those of us who need direction; you are a leader, to those who are aspiring to be someone in life; you are an inspiration. Your warm and receptive arms make many see the father figure in you. You are never giving in to favoritism or nepotism. You are indeed a leader and mentor that needs to be celebrated every day.
As we celebrate him today, may the Almighty God continue to give him more wisdom and sound health as he pilots Ekiti State to the end of his glorious tenure. May he finish well and good. May he be lifted for a bigger role in our nation’s development and history.
On behalf of myself and my family, we are wishing His Excellency, Dr. John Kayode Fayemi, CON, a happy birthday celebration.
