Opinion
Ekiti 2022: Don’t entrust your future in the cold hands of a Man without direction.
Published
4 years agoon
By
News Editor
Leadership is a serious business. In the same vein, Good Leadership or Good Governance is never a tea party affair.
Good Leadership involves the deployment of courage, vision, charisma, compassion, wealth of experience, strength of character, positive passion, transformative statesmanship and creativity in solving human problems.
Ekiti State is still largely a civil service State and is one of States with the lowest Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) in Nigeria.
Invariably, the drastic transformation of Ekiti State demands an urgent critical intervention of a leader with clear-cut vision, development agenda, deep focus, clear direction as well as the requisite local and international exposure.
Transforming Ekiti State from its present status of limited opportunities to a hub of industry and commercial activities demands the emergence of a GAME CHANGER on the scene, an outstanding Manager of human and material resources, a seasoned public administrator, an impressive statesman who had proved his mettle in previous assignments at the State and Federal levels; someone whose remarkable courage and commanding zeal is capable of sunmmounting any barrier or obstacle in the course and cause of progress.
Ekiti State, the nation’s fountain of knowledge urgently craves for a People’s leader whose charismatic posture and populist carriage is capable of steering the wheel of progress, a builder of modern cities, a comely personality whose professional and political pedigree could command the respect of Ekiti sons and daughters and also attract foreign investors as well as development partners from any part of the world.
Ekiti State is in dire need of a MORAL CHANGE AGENT, a transformative leader, an excellent bridge builder between the town and gown, a Man who has his vision written on his chest, a Man who runs with a definite mission and an accomplished statesman with good courage and candour.
Given the lofty strides of the Governor Fayemi administration, the restoration of Ekiti value and culture as well as other developmental achievements of the government, it is imperative at this juncture of the State’s trajectory that the State should take a giant leap in the areas of Industrial growth, agricultural revolution, solid mineral exploration and infrastructural development, such that the State would have a space in the global map of development.
Owing to the peculiarities of Ekiti State and its ripeness for large-scale industrialization, we cannot afford to entrust our future in the hands of an impostor, a political neophyte, a Yes Man, a Man Friday, a Stooge or Puppet who does not know what exactly he needs to do and where to even start.
We don’t need a TRIAL and ERROR leader, a leader lacking the requisite vision and experience to lead , a push over or a man without focus and direction.
The die is cast already. There is no going back. Ekiti State will never go back to Egypt! To settle for someone of less pedigree to the current Governor is a highway to nowhere. God forbid bad thing!
Sen. Michael Opeyemi Bamidele (M.O.B) has got what it takes to transform Ekiti State and make Ekiti State to stand tall among it’s compeers across the nation.
M.O B has got what it takes to turn around our dear State to a Model City State, a hub of industries and dynamo of economic exploits.
Bamidele”s wealth of experience in Megacity planning and development as a three -term Member of the prestigious Lagos Cabinet, his extensive legal background, his excellent legislative exploits in 7th and 9th National Assembly, his intercontinental exposure and remarkable networks in the public and private sectors are what is urgently and obviously needed to rebrand, rejig and reconstruct our dear Ekiti State and make it a beautiful bride for all positive comers, the local news foreign investors, tourist visitors, solid mineral explorers, captains of industry, business magnates, commercial banks, commercial farmers, exporters of raw materials and cash crops, high tech innovators, wealth creators, employers of labour, seasoned professionals in all fields of human endeavour, law abiding fellow Nigerians from across the nation as well as the illustrious sons and daughters of Ekiti State in the diaspora.
In an environment where there is no enduring security and stability, development becomes a mirage. In other words, to create an enabling environment that is peaceful, secured, stable, accommodating and virile and to encourage large scale industrialization and massive commercial activities, a new legal regime is imperative.
Interestingly, of all the Governorship hopefuls across the party divide, Bamidele is the sure man with all the required professional skills, legal expertize, legislative acumen, independent-mindedness and political will cum vision to set the ball rolling and progressively rebrand the Nation’s fountain of knowledge.
Therefore, as we collectively March Onward for a Brighter and Better Ekiti State, M.O.B is, no doubt, the Captain we must hire to steer the ship of our dear State. With him, we are sure we shall get to our desired El-dorado without much ado. M.O.B is the man the cap fit.
Ekiti people earnestly beckon on Sen. Michael Opeyemi Bamidele, a man with strength of character, an epitome of integrity, a symbol of humility and sacrificial leadership, a proven and well accomplished public administrator, a quintessential Federal lawmaker, a lawyer without border, a great man of vision and courage, an exemplary leader with compassionate heart, a man with passion for the welfare of other people, a lover of the masses, a friend of the people, a listening Leader, a Promise Keeper, a fighter for democracy and good governance, a man who almost lost his life for Ekiti State and above all, a MAN WHO HAS THE FEAR OF GOD.
M.O.B is surely the best man for the job. Ekiti people cannot afford to miss this golden opportunity of choosing the best leader of all. Let’s us put the round peg in the round hole.
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News
Loyalty Matters in Politics, Omotayo Tells Fubara
Published
3 weeks agoon
May 20, 2026By
News Editor
A political commentator, Akin Mitchel Omotayo, has criticised Siminalayi Fubara over the lingering political crisis in Rivers State, accusing the governor of turning against his political benefactor, Nyesom Wike, shortly after assuming office.
Omotayo, in a post shared on his Facebook page, described Governor Fubara as “the outgoing 001,” alleging that the Rivers governor ignored political advice and embarked on what he termed a “political coup” against Wike barely six months after becoming governor.
According to him, Wike played a major role in supporting and promoting Fubara’s candidacy during the 2023 governorship election, adding that it was politically unwise for the governor to allegedly distance himself from the former Rivers governor after assuming office.
He claimed that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu would naturally align with Wike in the political dispute because of the minister’s loyalty and support for Tinubu during the 2023 presidential election.
Omotayo further stated that Governor Fubara allegedly ignored several opportunities to retrace his steps and reconcile with his political leader despite interventions from stakeholders.
He questioned the whereabouts of those he claimed encouraged the governor to challenge Wike politically, describing the situation as a lesson in loyalty, leadership and political strategy.
The political crisis in Rivers State has continued to generate reactions from political observers and stakeholders across the country, with supporters of Governor Fubara and loyalists of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory remaining sharply divided.
Opinion
FROM NIGERIA TO CANADA: Walter Fasan’s Journey of Resilience, Purpose, and Legacy
Published
11 months agoon
July 19, 2025
WATER FASAN, a Nigerian Pharmacist turned Security Specialist and Access Control Officer shot to limelight in Canada when he won the 2025 Canadian Airports Council (CAC) National Recognition Award, a feat which gained instant international recognition.
Though Fasan’s rise from humble beginnings in Nigeria to international acclaim sounds like a fairy tale, his has been a long story of courage across, effort, dedicated service, study and the determination to pursue his desire to succeed even if he had to cross continents. His purpose-driven road to success and refusal to be limited by background or borders also led across multiple industries and nations.
Water Fasan is also recognized for his strong customer service skills, particularly in his role at Toronto Pearson International Airport where his calm demeanor and approachability are noted for helping to prevent potential challenges
Fasan began his professional journey in Nigeria as a Pharmacy Technician, at Cosmos Pharmacy under the visionary leadership of Mr. Azubike Okwor in (year).
Mr Okwor, a former President of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria, and the first Black man to receive a Fellowship in the history of the pharmaceutical industry, took the young pharmaceutical technician under his wings for (number of years). The period left an indelible mark on Fasan. By the time he left in search of greener pastures, Mr Okwor’s mentorship was a changed man.
Looking back, Fasan recalled that Mr. Okwor’s mentorship instilled in him the values of excellence, discipline, and service to community.
Now a focused, purpose driven young man filled with dreams and ambitions, his desire to succeed in life first led him to Israel, where he gained life-changing experiences before returning to Nigeria in 2009. In 2010, driven by a higher calling, he immigrated to Canada.
The North American country was quite different from his Nigerian background. But equipped with only faith, determination, and an unshakable belief in hard work, he embraced the challenge of starting over by embracing a new career and pursuing a new path in private security. The change did not come easy as he had to complete numerous certifications and gain hands-on experience in his new field.
“I worked with respected firms like RBG Security Inc., under the direction of Ron Boyko, and advanced to become an Operations Supervisor at one of the historic department stores in the world—Hudson’s Bay and Saks Fifth Avenue,” Fasan said.
It was at Hudson’s Bay and Saks Fifth Avenue that Fasan’s sterling qualities were first noticed in his new found country. There, he received the Best Customer Service of All Time award, a reflection of his commitment to excellence.
In 2019, he entered the aviation industry, beginning at Menzies Aviation. He later rose to lead teams at AAS, serving as Acting Manager at Dexterra. Currently, he is a Security Specialist with ASP Security at Toronto Pearson International Airport, a position he has held since 2022.
Still driven by the burning desire to grow, Fasan returned to the classroom and graduated in 2024 from the Canadian College of Business and Management, earning a Diploma in Human Resources Management. This academic achievement further prepared him for a broader impact in leadership, training, and organizational development.
Over the years, Fasan’s work has earned wide recognition In Canada. His story, face, and contributions are featured across Pearson Airport as a symbol of dedication and pride.
In 2025, he became the first-ever African-Canadian Nigerian to receive the Canadian Airports Council (CAC) National Recognition Award when he and eight others were selected from among 52,000 airport workers and 80 nominees at the 16th Canadian Airport ceremony.
Although Water Fasan’s story is still unfolding, his success reminds us all that with faith, focus, and fearless effort, anything is possible. The honour was more than an award—it was a moment of history For Nigeria, for Africa, and for every immigrant whose story is still being written.
By Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, CON
Today, I celebrate a timeless doyen of democracy and an astute mentor of many leaders, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR. By global standards, Asiwaju is truly a man of the people and the visionary of our times, who devoted his life to pursuing the greatest goods to the greatest number of people. This has been the core of his heart and life from when he was a boardroom guru in the 1980s to when he joined partisan politics in the 1990s.
Born on March 29, 1952, Asiwaju’s foray into politics in 1991 was never a mistake, though it came with a huge sacrifice that cost dearly. As a Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, I celebrate how Asiwaju firmly stood with the people rather than dining with the military oligarchy that annulled the outcome of the June 12, 1993 presidential election ostensibly won by Chief M.K.O Abiola (now of blessed memory), an annulment that set our fatherland back to the pre-colonial era.
I also celebrate how Asiwaju teamed up with the progressives to establish the National Democratic Coalition, a movement of likeminds and progressives that fiercely challenged the regime of the late tyrant, General Sani Abacha; mobilised support for the restoration of democracy to our fatherland and campaigned for the recognition of Chief M.K.O Abiola as the winner of the June 12 presidential election. And this conviction and pursuit eventually earned him exile from the land of his birth. Yet, he was undaunted in his quest to see his fatherland liberated from the era of locusts that pitched us against the comity of nations.
I celebrate how Asiwaju returned to Nigeria in 1998 when the darkest era of the late tyrant finally folded into the abyss of extinction after fighting doggedly on the side of the people. The end of the dark era culminated in his election as the third civilian governor of Lagos State in January 1999. Though faced with diverse heinous challenges at the inception, Asiwaju came out strong and victorious, setting Lagos on the path of irreversible progress, reforming the coastal state to a globally competitive smart city and turning it to a constant destination of strategic investment. And the world can no more look away from Nigeria just because of the pro-people reforms he carried out in Lagos.
Asiwaju’s quest for the greatest goods for the greatest number of people pushed him to national politics, the kind of venture that consumed the nationalists and patriots who lived before him. At different times, he challenged the traditional forces that held our fatherland down. He first fought for the soul of our fatherland on the platform of the defunct Action Congress, and it did not entirely produce an enviable outcome. He later switched to the Action Congress of Nigeria, and banished the regressive elements from the six states of the South-west. Full of hope, Asiwaju stressed forth his hands across Benue and Niger, and together, they rescued Nigeria from the hands of the regressives.
At 72, as the President of Nigeria, Asiwaju has brought rare conviction and passion to the business of public governance, courageously daring the forces of regression and tirelessly pursuing the interests of over 227 million regardless of their faith, ideology and race. The task is truly daunting, but the victory is undoubted. Only within 10 months of Asiwaju’s ascendancy to the presidency, we have started witnessing the dawning of economic restoration and the ray of political renaissance under his watch.
As I nostalgically reflect on the journey so far, I remember his labour and toiling for our fatherland, even when most misunderstood. I remember his undying passion to lead the path to a greater nation, even when the future looks so bleak and always unsure. I remember his utter commitment to a movement of patriots and progressives eternally sworn to rescue our fatherland from the claws of the ageless vultures and the blood-thirst beaks of mindless hawks that always seek to feast on the flesh of Nigeria. Despite their ferocity, he eventually subdued the enemies of our souls, even right in the midst of inferno they set ablaze for us all.
That is the reality in our fatherland today. Asiwaju is at the forefront of that reality. And we are all witnesses to this history, even from its making to its maturation. Now, as he graciously turns 72 on this auspicious day, I cannot, but earnestly pray God grants him longer life and inner strength to steadily paddle the ship of our nation to the coast of endless ecstasy.
Heartiest 72nd Birthday, my leader and mentor.
- Bamidele, Leader of the 10th Senate, writes from Abuja
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