By ADL, Ado-Ekiti
The International Valedictory Conference in honor of Dr. Kayode Fayemi was quite an interesting gathering of intellectuals. It was truly a Festival of Ideas as described by Aunty Sola Salako Ajulo. Capturing JKF as a “Quiet Storm” was also an interesting one. Aunty Sola Salako Ajulo was practically painting a reflection of JKF’s depth, strength, impressive knowledge, and suave mental capabilities.
Also, our incoming Governor, Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji was able to capture in his message that the greatest of JKF’s strengths is his ability to maintain a golden silence in the face of heavy provocation. This has no doubt allowed the man to be misunderstood or wrongly labeled as arrogant by some people.
The “Power of Silence” has indeed helped JKF to move on faster in his struggles in life. It has allowed him to attain his present feat while many of his staunch enemies or call them detractors are today permanently buried in roubles.
Being silent has allowed JKF to build his resilience towards a difficult journey of life, as well as the opportunity to adequately channel its energies toward greater developments. A huge reflection of that abounds in Ekiti State and even as a Federal Minister. To Dr. Fayemi, maintaining a Golden silence in the face of stiff opposition gives him the clarity needed to calmly face challenges and uncertainty. “The hours of silence you practice every day allow you to ignore blind critics and their stuff. It encourages you to be focused and strengthens you to overcome challenges, he once said.”
His wife, Erelu Bisi Fayemi no doubt is the biggest of all these strengths. Erelu is a wonderful ally, wife, mother, mentor, and a strong pillar of support. That in itself is a big advantage to JKF in his point of balance and achievements. Erelu is one woman like a town. She’s a great mobilizer, a quintessential motivator, and the pride that every society needs to thrive. I am happy to be one of her numerous disciples.
I am happy today to have come across these two enigmas in the build-up of my leadership career. I am only waiting to be handed a Certificate of study having undergone the two enigmas in the last 10 years in schools of leadership.
Your Excellency Sir,
I join your other numerous well-wishers in Ekiti State, Nigeria, and in the diaspora, today, to congratulate you as you are bowing out of office, after the successful completion of your tenure as our Governor in Ekiti State.
I thank the Almighty God Who guided you all through your tenure and enabled you the grace to finish well and strong.
I note with admiration and pride that your administration in Ekiti State was highly inspiring and very impressive with a lot of outstanding and very remarkable achievements, cutting across all the nooks and crannies of the state.
The great exploits in office and the worthy legacies of service you left, will forever remain reference points for good governance in Ekiti State.
Thank you for serving Ekiti State with all your strength and with total passion and dedication.
As a student of your political school of leadership and one of your loyal followers, I am proud to be associated with you today as always.
As you are bowing out of office in the next few days, I wish you more rewarding accomplishments in the future in your political career. May the good Lord continue to uphold you for greater service to our beloved country, Nigeria.
Signed
ADL
