At 45, I have fought quite a few battles. I have won some and I have lost some. Among the many casualties of a life-long war was my most cherished brother Adeboyejo Okenla whose death in 1992 reshaped my outlook on life and decided my destiny. Boyejo was my hero and my mentor. He was physically strong without looking intimidating. He was also fearless and had a very good sense of justice. He was handsome, generous and humorous. He was a model of virtue, liked by good people but hated and duly feared by evil people. I miss him greatly, even up till today.
There were several other losses but none more painful than the loss of my dearly beloved mother four years ago to cancer. This led to my setting up a private health trust to help save other lives in Nigeria and rudely awakened the dormant politician in me.
I was born on the fourth day of October in 1965 at Oluseyi Maternity Hospital in Ijebu-Ode. I spent all my entire childhood in and around Ijebuland and loved the place so much. In fact when I was offered 'admission' to study at either the popular Kings College in Lagos or the newly-established Federal Government College Odogbolu, I quickly opted for the latter because I wanted to remain in the Ijebu area. It is little wonder then that even after spending several years in the Western world my friends still occasionally tickle me for uncompromisingly speaking English with a heavy Ijebu accent!
As a young man, I wanted to save the world. I dreamt of building hospitals, churches and mosques. My father was a Christian, my grandfather was a Muslim so we had both Christian and Islamic orientation. When my twin sister became a Pastor it became apparent to me that I too needed to make myself available for service to humanity. I there and then opted for politics because I believe that this will afford me the most opportunity to make the greatest positive impact on the lives of fellow people.
It is important to reiterate here that I am not motivated by money, or glamour, or some quest for any personal glory. As a young man, I lived the life of a 'local champion' so much so that it was enough to last a lifetime and so at this ripe old age of 45 all I want to do now is to put back some goodness into the society that nurtured me and my kind.
I cherish other people because all my life I have been cherished by other people. I hope to live my life as a testimonial to the grace and mercifulness of God and from this course, I pray never to deviate. I thank God for a loving and supportive family, and for the true friends that I have leant on in times of trouble and for those that rejoice with me in better times. I thank everybody for their love and kindness. I am very happy and full of joy today because I know that I have ultimate victory in Jesus Christ. May the grace of God be upon us all. Amen
- (Birthday Message on 04/10/2010)
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