By: Reuben Omotayo Hopo
 |
| Sunny Ajose |
That everyone must accept his or her destiny is not a matter of whether we like it or not. On the other hand, that no one can predict how his or her destiny will be fulfilled is all about providence. This aptly describes an enigma that is widely known as Sunny Ajose. He is elderly, a consummate administrator, cerebral mind and fondly referred to as "Baba Sunny Ajose" in the political circles of Badagry and Lagos State in general.
Given his childhood history, he missed the opportunity of being raised in his hometown, Badagry, but as fate would entrust on him and by dint of hard work, he looked ahead to the future, and that interest made him jet out of the country successfully to attend to his academic pursuits abroad. He was back into the country after achieving his goals, and thereafter, he picked up employment with the Lagos State Government, where he made the most successful career that has ever come from the entire Lagos-West when he rose prestigiously to become the Head of Service, Lagos State. He retired statutorily and meritoriously in 2006.
Having been discovered by the last Military Administrator of Lagos State, Col. Buba Marwa, he worked with the succeeding administration of the elected Governor Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR (now President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Federal Republic of Nigeria) as Permanent Secretary, Office of Chief of Staff, and merited all tests by every paraphernalia of office, and Asiwaju (as fondly called) with knacks for discovering uncommon leaders preferred to settle down with him as Head of Service during his second term in office as Governor of Lagos State.
Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, in the throng of fulfilling his lifetime dream as the current President of Nigeria, has been an unequal navigator of the grassroots in his quest for nation's building, and to his credit, he has discovered many leaders, as of today, more than anyone in the political landscape called Nigeria. Among the velvet is this elderly Chief, Honourable, Dr. Akinsanya Sunny Taseyon Ajose, OON. He is a member of the Distinguished Circle of the Great All Progressive Congress (APC) in Lagos State, known as "Governance Advisory Council."
As Chinua Achebe said in one of his literary pieces, "no one can escape his destiny." This cerebral and astute administrator and leader could have occupied different political offices, especially on the plater of elections at the national level. Although he once made such a move in the past, but the exigency of positioning Badagry for leadership is a providence that must be fulfilled at all cost. So, Baba Sunny Ajose is the man of providence to his country home, Badagry, and he is fairly of age and growing gracefully with another birthday celebrated in April, 2024. May I use this medium to dedicate this piece to him on the occasion of his birthday as I wish him many happy returns and sound health.
Having answered his call to a greater assignment for humanity within his own people, the harvest of his able leadership would be what his own people could make out of his noble calling vis-a-vis how well his own people also appreciate the value that he tries to bring to the table for everyone would go along way to cement the synergy that works around difficulties and sway success in favour of Badagry in the scheme of things in Lagos and the Federation. This call on everyone of us to stand out and surpass others in this age of stiff competition. We need more federal presence now.
In pacesetting, one important aspect that his people should accord him is to understudy his leadership, so that, in the years to come, he will not be leaving behind a big shoes that no one could wear. Leadership is not built by force! It is earned by working with others for self-recognition and self-prestige. It could be entrusted to someone who may be influential or those around a given personality. That Pastor (Hon.) Cornelius Ojelabi, is today, the APC State Chairman in Lagos State is a good example of how leadership is earned through trust. To a large extent, Baba Sunny Ajose would remain a trusted Deputy to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, anytime Badagry politics is discussed.
There is a need to take Baba Sunny Ajose as "A Bright Academy". Politicians in Badagry axis should be diligently committed to understudy his approach to issues of concern in the environment. Doing this would evolve mutual understanding and mentoring of supposed great minds from his locale that can earn multitude of respect that brings pride to one's area. At present, the number of indigenes of Badagry Division in the Body of Permanent Secretaries in the State calls for serious concern. The number one Apex Leader for the entire Badagry Local Government Area is more of "A Cambridge Cut" and does not believe in the lexicon of "anything goes." Hence, some of these must be ready to break the ceiling of directorship by earning distinguishing marks in their service to the state, though, in this peculiar environment, "ibi gbogbo lati nko adie ale."
Just about fifteen minutes encounter with him, this writer discovered that he longed to fulfil the desire of the top-notch APC position bestowed upon him, and has shown a generous mind to be fair to everyone in the task of Badagry development as a collective agenda. Baba Sunny wants to see how well a carrier can raise the load to attract a hand lift. This is a reasonable course on which he may not yield his ground. His presence at the table of decision-making is simply calling on individuals from this axis across all walks of life to position themselves for opportunities that may not come overnight, but through long-term sacrifice and commitment. Someday, Badagry will fare well. I strongly believe this.
Reuben Omotayo Hopo is the General Secretary, Lagos State Public Service Forum (Badagry Division).