On the 15th day of November 1960, Ibadan, the second largest city on the continent of Africa welcomed the birth of a new baby. What has happened to the baby?
Please do not ask how he transformed a boy to a Man. Do not ask how he transformed a girl to a woman. Do not ask how he transformed a toddler to an Adult. Do not ask how mountain absorbs the heat of scorching sun. Do not ask how a Mimosa closes its Laps. Do not ask how a day changes to a night with an amazing ease. Do not ask how few seeds of Oriza sativa turns to multitude. Do not ask how a baby of few years back, just today, like the clapping of a Mimosa Plant, becomes a leader of leaders. The unquestionable God can not be questioned.
Who is this baby? He is Peter Ayodele Fayose, the man presently saddled with the responsibility of spreading the fruits of democratic governance to the entire people of the 120 towns and villages in Ekiti State, South Western Nigeria.
Fayose’s life is full of irony and paradox. He has won the highest battle anybody has never won in his life. From grass to grace he has risen. From a rejected stone, he rose to become a chief corners stone.
Elected as Governor in 2003 and removed via the conspiracy of the Elites and a General in Civilian uniform on October 2006, Fayose fell and rose up to confront his adversaries and conquered. From a nobody, he became a somebody. In 2003, he won the ticket of his party to run for the governorship of Ekiti State without the support of any titan. The Titans ganged up together, coaxed the commoners, removed and sent him into prison. He was declared wanted. He came back from exile to be welcomed by the masses.
Whilst his former colleagues were arrested by the government for alleged corrupt practices, Fayose returned from self-imposed exile and submit himself for prosecution. The just shall not die in place of wicked, he said. From EFCC’s custody, he was sent to Ikoyi prison. Fayose spent 38 days in captivity, languishing and fighting for spaces with testes flies and mosquitoes. Alas, he was freed.
Fayose aligned with the self-acclaimed progressives to send the gigot of conservatives led by Engineer Segun Oni out of Ekiti State Government House on Oct 16th 2010. Expected to be compensated, the looters masquerading as progressives denied him. They promised him a senatorial ticket in secret but denied in public. I thank them for denying him the ticket. When he sought to represent his people in National Assembly, the people he put in power waged war against him. Money, security and power were used to turn his people against him. The rest history.
Determined, focused and fearless Fayose lost his bid to become a Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in 2011 and went back to drawing board to re-strategise. After months of strategising, Fayose returned back to his root, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) for reclaim his position. The enemy within kicked but he triumphed. Within 4 months he returned to the party, Fayose democratically took over the party structure from his arch-rivals. His political foes read the news of the waiver granted him by the national leadership his party on the pages of newspapers. God is indeed great!
Fast forward to the battle to get his party ticket to re-contest for governorship. 28 political generals confronted him but he triumphed. His wife, Feyisetan had earlier prophesized that he would be governor again. Feyisetan was mocked by her husband’s enemies not knowing that God cannot be mocked. She was called a Joseph. After many hues and cries, Fayose, on march 27 2014, was declared the candidate of his party to re-contest for governorship seat. He was to face an incumbent empowered with money, power and security. David Ayo Fayose was to battle Goliath Kayode Fayemi. Fayemi had power but Fayose had the masses. On June 21st 2014, the masses of Ekiti confronted the Elites of Ekiti on electoral field. The proletariats battled the bourgeoisies and conquered. Fayose Triumphed over the locusts. From exile, he moved into government house.
Born on November 15, 1960 in Ibadan. His parents are Pastor Oluwafemi Oluwayose and Prophetess Victoria Olufunke Oluwayose. Fayose attended Saint Leo’s Catholic Primary School, Ibadan in 1966 and obtained his Primary School Leaving Certificate in 1972. He proceeded to the Olivet Baptist High School, Oyo in 1973 where he sat for and passed the School Certificate examination in 1979.
Fayose was admitted for a one year pre-National Diploma (Pre-ND) programme at the Federal Polytechnic, Ilaro, leading ultimately to a two-year Ordinary National Diploma (OND) programme in Science Laboratory Technology, which he successfully completed in 1984. He did his one year mandatory industrial attachment at the Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria (CRIN), Ibadan. He proved his worth as a budding scientist by transforming various herbs into chemical substance which were later used to produce different types of body and hair creams.
The experiments and the products were consequently christened “Spotless.” Thereafter, this name was adopted and registered as a business name. These creams later became popular in many homes in Ibadan and environs.
In 1985, Fayose was admitted for a Higher National Diploma (HND) programme in Biological Sciences/Applied Medical/Biology by the Polytechnic, Ibadan and graduated in 1987. While doing his youth service at Pepsi Nigeria Limited, Ibadan, he was engaged in installation, maintenance and servicing of medical and laboratory equipment.
After the youth service, Fayose travelled out of the country during which he was exposed to a broad spectrum of business that guided his life later. Fayose, a philanthropist per-excellence, is the CEO of Spotless Investment Limited, a group of companies since 1988 until his election as the Governor of Ekiti State on October 2014.
Within three and half years as Governor of Ekiti State (2003-2006), Fayose executed many projects which earned him the acronym, “Architect of Modern Ekiti.” The areas he touched included modern road network construction, poverty alleviation, provisions of electricity, water, housing and drugs in hospitals and health centres, Public buildings like the new Governor’s Office, Archbishop Abiodun Adetiloye Multipurpose Hall, Lady Jibowu Hall, the two presidential lodges and the chalets, Professor Sam Aluko Building housing the Ministry of Finance, Architect Fola Alade Building, Fountain Motel, Ado, Trade Fair Complex, Ado, dualising of Ado Ekiti township roads, dualising all entry points to Ado Ekiti such as Ilawe, Iyin, Ikere, and Iworoko Ifaki roads.
The civil service was transformed, and as well the teaching in order to encourage optimum performance among the teachers and civil servants. Salaries of workers were paid at the 20th of every month. Pensions were paid promptly, promotions in the civil service and teaching were never delayed. In-service training was regular for workers, artisans, commercial drivers and as well the market women were not left out of the packages by the Fayose Administration. In recognition of his contributions to the development of Ekiti State and humanity, Fayose received many laurels such as Ekiti State “Leaders in Achievement” Honour Award ((2002).
He had also received the following Honours and Award:
– Doctor of Public Administration (Honoris Causa) University of Ado-Ekiti (2005);
– Fellow of the Polytechnic Ibadan (FPI) 2005;
– Most Distinguished Alumnus of the Faculty of Science of the Polytechnic, IIbadan (2005);
– Outstanding Governor of year 2004 by the Ekiti Kete Association in North America (EKAINA);
– Ekiti State “Leaders in Achievement” Award 2002;
– Captain of, Reform Agenda for the Grassroot;
– Best Governor of the Year 2004 by the PDP, U.K. Branch;
– Most Practical Governor in the South West (2005);
– Best Governor in the South West 2005 by the Global Excellence Magazine. Lagos; and
– Best Governor Nigeria 2006 by the City People Magazine, Lagos.
On 16th October 2014, Fayose was re-inaugurated as the 4th Executive Governor of Ekiti State. He is a honourary Life Patron of the Coliseum Nite Shift Lagos and the Air Force Senior Officers Club, Port Harcourt.
Fayose is happily married to Feyisetan Olayemi (nee Makinde) and blessed with children.
Good people of Nigeria and outside the shore, join me to celebrate this unique and specially-made personality as he clock 54 on the surface of earth on 15th Day of November 2014.
Live On Ayo Fayose!
Sunshine Anifowoshe is the Personal Assistant on Administration, Stomach Infrastructure and Special Duties to Dr. Ayodele Fayose, Governor, Ekiti State.
asunshinesunday@gmail.com
