Without a doubt he is an *Akanda* – a person who according to Yoruba
mythology is unique and a possessor of a special purpose in life. A person
whose destiny is linked to that of countless others, and who is imbued with
special graces and qualities that helps him/her in attaining greatness. One
of the distinct qualities of *Akandas* is that from a very young age, they
display rare traits of self-awareness and intelligence, and are sometimes
involved in supernatural occurrences that cause the elders to take notice
and pay special attention to nurturing them.This concept has parallels in other parts of the world. In ancient Israel,
about the time of Jesus’ birth, events in the heavens conspired to tell the
famed wise men from the east that a King had been born, causing them to
diligently follow the stars till they arrived at the birthplace of Jesus to
pay homage. Furthermore, it is recorded that Jesus as a child displayed
such wisdom beyond His years and a huge sense of responsibility for the
things of God, that it got Him in the cross-hairs of the religious
authorities of the time.
In the same tradition, Kayode Fayemi from a very young age showed
exceptional intelligence and appreciation of the world around him. Born the
last child of seven children into the Francis Falade Fayemi family of
Isan-Ekiti during the *penkelemesi* years, he was reportedly introverted as
a child, spending hours on end reading newspapers and other informational
materials which were never in short supply in his house, as his father was
at the time an information officer with the old Western Region’s government.
He was outstanding amongst his peers as a student in Christ School
Ado-Ekiti. He not only excelled academically, but was tops in
extracurricular activities such as debates and quiz competitions. By the
time he got to the University of Lagos, he was well grounded in his sense
of purpose and mission in life, spending most of his days as an
undergraduate participating in student unionism – leading protests and
advocacies, and supporting liberation movements all over Africa. Long
before he became a regular fixture on Nigeria’s official delegation to
annual editions of the United Nations General Assembly, Kayode Fayemi had
horned his talents in international diplomacy in ANUNSA – a student and
youth association devoted to promoting the goals of the United nations
through its activities.
Speaking on his time as an undergraduate in UNILAG, Kayode Fayemi was to
say *“I can share categorically, that there is almost nothing I have found
myself doing in my life and professional career that I did not first
experiment during my time in UNILAG. As a leader, activist, writer and
academic, I cut my teeth right here in UNILAG. I was exposed to leadership
by serving as the Secretary of the great Eni Njoku Hall, which also made me
a member of the Students Representative Council. I also served as the
Secretary of the Youths United in Solidarity for Southern Africa (YUSSA),
as well as the Secretary-General of UNILAG’s chapter of the All-Nigeria
United Nations Students’ Association (ANUNSA). *
Following his Ba. in History from the University of Lagos, he went on to
earn an MSc. in International Relations from the Obafemi Awolowo
University, Ile-Ife, before proceeding to the United Kingdom to pursue a
doctorate in War Studies from Kings College London. His time in London was
defining as he got introduced to a greater theatre for participating in the
causes close to his heart, becoming a leading figure in the struggle
against military rule. He is credited for establishing several platforms
for the opposition in exile to marshal their positions, including the
famous Radio Kudirat. It was during this time as a young post-graduate
student in his twenties, in the course of the pro-democracy struggle of the
1990s side-by-side much older legends such as Wole Soyinka, the late
Anthony Enahoro, e.t.c., that he would build an incredible network of
friendships and alliances, earning the trust and respect of highly placed
individuals, governments, think tanks, and multilateral agencies all over
the world.
It was therefore no surprise that when he was to transition from civil
society to politics, he was bold enough to aspire to the highest office in
Ekiti state. Defying conventional wisdom to start out aspiring to lower
offices, he contested the gubernatorial primaries in the now defunct Action
Congress, emerging the unlikely flagbearer amongst 27 other aspirants who
all decamped from the party in protest. As an *Akanda*, this was to become
a constant feature of his political trajectory – nothing he has attained
politically so far has ever been handed to him without stiff opposition. It
would take another three and a half years for his mandate to be validated
through the courts, thus assuming office as Governor of Ekiti State on
October 16, 2010.
As Governor, Kayode Fayemi finally had the executive powers to put to
practice all he had advocated, implementing a well thought out
social-welfarist blueprint known as the Eight-Point agenda, which
concentrated on Governance; Infrastructural Development; Modernizing
Agriculture; Education and Human Capital Development; Health Care Services;
Industrial Development; Tourism; and Gender Equality and Empowerment. His
administration was widely adjudged to have performed creditably which was
why the outcome of his first re-election bid came as a surprise to many.
The 2014 elections in Ekiti state was historic. It was to define who we
were as a people, or better still redefine who we had become when faced
with a choice between Kayode Fayemi an *Omoluabi *who had done well beyond
the limits of the resources available in the state on one hand, and the
garrulous self-styled apostle of stomach infrastructure on the other. Not a
lot has to be said about the characters and public records of both
individuals to make this point, but it is fair to say the Ekiti people took
a wrong turn in 2014, and paid dearly for it with the untold hardship that
befell the state between 2014 and 2018. Off course, sordid details have
been revealed of how the 2014 election was rigged, but I dare say it was
not without the complicity of the people ourselves who needed to learn a
lesson.
That;m is how the fate of individuals – *Akandas* – are linked to that of
peoples and nations. It was all part of Kayode Fayemi’s destiny to go down
that path, and experience the seeming momentary rejection of his people.
But that was not the end of the story. He was to glean valuable lessons and
restrategise to regain the mandate. In the interregnum, he was appointed
Minister of Mines and Steel Development by President Muhammadu Buhari,
which was another case of story before glory. He faced a very bitter
opposition to his confirmation as minister, in the media and behind the
scenes, because many were hell bent on relegating the civil-military
relations and democratisation expert to the dustbins of history. But he was
victorious, going on to achieve several feats in restructuring the sector
in less than three years.
But Kayode Fayemi was not done with Ekiti state. Again, destiny beckoned,
and he answered the call to run for re-election as Governor. This was not
to be a stroll in the park, and those familiar with the man’s public
service trajectory could see a familiar pattern of very heavy opposition
before the glory that lay ahead. This time, Kayode Fayemi had to contend
with 35 other aspirants within the APC to earn the party’s ticket, before
going on to win the general election.
The road to triumph in the re-election bid is a lesson in several human
virtues such as perseverance, forgiveness, fortitude, and courage. More so,
it is the ultimate fulfilment of this *Akanda’s* purpose, which goes beyond
him as an individual but affects all Ekiti sons and daughters. Today, his
election slogan* “Reclaiming the land; Restoring our Values”*, has become
the central philosophy of his administration – the rallying cry for Ekiti
to return to the pristine values we were known for, which had been
despoiled by vagabonds who exploited the naivety of the people in the
previous election. Kayode Fayemi’s re-election as Governor can therefore be
seen as the people’s act of repentance from the mistake of 2014, and an
affirmation that never again shall our electoral choices be determined by
deceptive retail politics.
Nevertheless, as it is written in the holy scriptures, w*hen a man’s ways
please the Lord*, He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him. Many
detractors that fought him bitterly have come to realise and affirm like
Nichodemus in the bible speaking of Jesus, that no man can do these things
except God be with him. Following his re-election, many former enemies have
been reconciled to him, and he has been magnanimous in accommodating all
and sundry in the task of rebuilding the land of honour Ekiti state.
Responsible governance has now returned to Ekiti and the welfare of the
people is once again the duty of the man Kayode Fayemi who has done it
before, and has vowed to do it even better this time.
Several prophesies have been fulfilled in the life of this passionate
patriot who sees public service as an extension of activism. A man of faith
who takes his calling to politics and governance as seriously as he took
his time of service as an altar boy growing up in Church. A man of courage,
yet meek in spirit and deeply respectful to all. Sadly, this is often taken
advantage of by some acting on his authority, who misrepresent him while
advancing their personal agendas. This, his spiritual mentor and advisor,
Catholic Bishop of Ekiti Diocese, the Most Rev. Felix Ajakaye warned him
sternly to be watchful about when he assumed office.
Nevertheless, as Kayode Fayemi turns 54 today, as one of the leading
transgenerational icons of values based leadership in Africa today, I am
sure he would take time to reflect on what lies ahead, especially the
urgent task he has often spoken about of actively empowering a new cadre of
young leaders – a new breed that would break boundaries and bravely go
beyond dallying along the borders of morality and political expediency that
ethical leaders today are constrained to do in order to bring about change
from within a depraved socio-political establishment.
Kayode Fayemi, my *Oga – Akanda Eniyan* – *Ilufemiloye* – loved by the
masses; a detribalised nationalist with an enviable track record and an
extensive network of friendships and alliances globally. Clearly, your best
years are ahead, and I remain solidly behind you. For you, it’s not just
about personal ambitions, it is about God working in and through you to
bring about a positive impact on a greater multitude.
Happy Birthday Sir.
*Akin Rotimi, a media and communications professional writes from Lagos,
Nigeria*