Author: Abiodun KOMOLAFE

Simply put, leadership is about taking care of those in your charge. It is about guiding people with influence and embodying a set of virtues, not holding a position of power. In the same vein, a true leader’s appearance is defined by their inner qualities, such as integrity and wisdom. A leader must possess a strong moral compass, the vision to articulate a clear purpose, and the humility to be self-aware and listen to others. This includes a servant-oriented approach where a leader prioritises the well-being and growth of their followers above their own. When leadership fails to deliver, the…

On Saturday, September 20, 2025, family and friends gathered to celebrate the life of Prince Daniel Adeleke Ademiluyi, who passed away at the age of 72. His transition was marked as a celebration of a life well-lived and a legacy of service to his community. Born on October 12, 1913, Ademiluyi’s life spanned a significant era of Yorubaland’s political history. The son of the revered Ooni Ajagun Lawarikan, who ascended the throne in 1910, Ademiluyi was an aristocrat from Ile-Ife, The Cradle. His life journey reflected the profound shifts and enduring traditions that have shaped the region. Prince Ademiluyi, a…

Uneven wealth distribution inevitably leads to social catastrophe. The discernible difference between population size and economic might highlights this issue. Norway and Switzerland, with populations of only five and seven million, are among the world’s wealthiest nations. This begs the question: Given its vast intellectual and human capital, why does a historically blessed and resourceful region like Yorubaland continue to struggle with development? For the Yorubas, therefore, the journey from a legacy of ancestors to becoming the architects of our own future is not a choice between the past and the future, but a synthesis of both. What’s more? The…

On Wednesday, September 10, 2025, Governor Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji (BAO) submitted his Expression of Interest and Nomination Forms for the 2026 Ekiti State governorship election at the All Progressives Congress (APC) National Secretariat in Abuja. This event was far more than a formality; it was a collective endorsement of a leader whose performance has left no room for doubt. It was also framed as a deliberate effort to break a historical “jinx” in Ekiti State politics. Oyebanji himself addressed this directly, stating, “Since the creation of Ekiti State, no governor has done two terms at a stretch and Ekiti people…

The Yoruba-speaking people of Nigeria have been floundering, a state that, as is common in human societies, has led to transferred aggression. This isn’t a problem unique to the Yorubas; we need only recall how large segments of the German population misdirected their aggression towards Jews and other minorities, resulting in a worldwide catastrophe. We must learn from these historical lessons! Yorubas are unfortunately misinterpreting their own cultural strength, using it to promote self-serving interests rather than collective empowerment. They should look to the Gujaratis – a small Indian ethnolinguistic group—as a model for how a community can marshal its…

REGARDING politics, service, and governance, virtually all corners of Osun State are already filled with activities forming a prelude to the 2026 gubernatorial election. In such situations, support is typically drummed up for preferred aspirants in various quarters. Similarly, those whose political style allows it will embark on ‘pull-him-down’ campaigns, aimed at dragging their opponents through the mud in the public eye. However, such smear campaigns are, at the very least, bad. While we appeal to politicians across the board and in all political divides to desist from smear campaigns, we plead with all indigenes and residents to heed the…

An interesting recent news item was the massive crowd that greeted Governor Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji (BAO) of Ekiti State’s declaration to run for a second term. A key element of the event was the governor’s endorsement across the dividing lines by members of other political parties, tendencies and factions. The key issue here is that, having shifted the perception of politics in the state and created what looks like a new base of hegemony, BAO has put himself in a pole position to sweep the electoral calculus. Therefore, anyone contesting against him has a mountain to climb. Politics is about…

That I hesitated to write this piece is intentional. That I’ve decided to write it now is also deliberate. I’ll explain both reasons when the time is right. I have met Bola Ahmed Tinubu, now President of Nigeria, a few times, but one meeting that stands out was at Lagos City Hall in 2010. It was during the ‘Oodua, Know Thyself’ programme organised by the Afenifere Renewal Group (ARG), where I served as the Administrative Secretary at the time. Our paths had also crossed earlier at Chief Bisi Akande’s 70th birthday celebration in Ila-Orangun, Osun State, on January 16, 2009.…

The influence of the Beveridge Report can be seen in various initiatives worldwide, including Nigeria’s Free Education Programme in Western Nigeria and agricultural programmes in Eastern Nigeria, as well as the adoption of minimum wage concepts. The list is very long and cannot be fully stated here! As a Christian, I believe salvation comes through faith in Jesus Christ. Still, I’m troubled by the implications for people in countries with different dominant religions, such as India’s predominantly Hindu population (around 79.8%) or Japan’s significant Shinto and Buddhist populations. This raises a concern: in countries like Japan (approximately 1-2% Christian), China…

The primary focus of every known religion is to lead carnal-minded people to become spiritually minded. It is to enable mortals to rise from their lowest ebb to a transformative stage, where they can connect with the divine. This spiritual growth gives rise to morality and essential values, which in turn foster economic and national development. On the other hand, a more critical examination reveals that religion has also been used as a tool for colonialism and systematic enslavement, stressing the complexities of its role in society. Nigeria today is confused about how to define religion and whether it should…

With the 2026 Osun gubernatorial contest, slated for Saturday, August 8, 2026, it is not surprising that the jockeying to win the governorship ticket, especially for the All Progressives Congress (APC) is on. Of course, the incumbent governor will clinch the ticket of his party, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP). So, all eyes and interests would be on the APC. Well, there are two issues of concern here, which must be taken into cognizance in working out the permutations. In the first place, would zoning be an issue? If it is, in what direction and in whose favour? Indeed, this…

We are at midterm, which means that the next electoral cycle has already started. Unfortunately, governance will begin to slow as politicking and jockeying for advantage become more pronounced, distracting from the real work of administration and the quest to achieve sustainable development. The ruling party currently holds a significant advantage, facing an ill-defined and unfocused array of interest groups lacking cohesion. Unlike parliamentary systems, presidential systems don’t truly have an ‘opposition’ concept. Instead, they offer a focused alternative platform, presenting a distinct and more positive stance than the governing party’s. It sums it up: within the reality of a…

One of the off-cycle elections next year will take place in Ekiti State, where Governor Biodun Oyebanji will face reelection. As conventional wisdom widely acknowledges, Oyebanji has several strengths to leverage when campaigning begins, particularly his efforts to redirect the state’s political economy in a positive direction. Ekiti State has navigated the current economic transformation in very steady ways. The state’s poverty level is relatively manageable rather than crippling. The governor’s strategic intervention in agriculture has built up buffers of price-modulating and supply-adjustment mechanisms. This approach has effectively withstood economic headwinds, serving as a model that other states would do…

President Bola Tinubu’s recent announcement to unbundle the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT), Zaria, Kaduna State, into six geo-political zones is an important landmark in Nigeria’s journey towards true federalism and regionalism, which lies not in the constitutional or institutional structure, but in the society itself. This move will go a long way in addressing the historical imbalance in the distribution of national institutions and fostering a sense of belonging and inclusivity among Nigeria’s diverse populations. Ultimately, this development is a step towards addressing Nigeria’s deep-seated structural issues perpetuated by a centralized system. One can only pray that the…

The Year 2024 has been flogged to death! With 2025 now underway, it’s clear that this year will be crucial for Nigeria and Nigerians. The government must develop a comprehensive framework to address the economic, social and political challenges ahead to ensure a game-changing year. To begin with, President Bola Tinubu should leverage his political expertise to facilitate a consensus-driven approach to the Tax Reform Bills currently before the National Assembly. This requires negotiating with regional stakeholders, addressing politically-driven concerns, and finding common ground to ensure the Bills’ successful passage. The Tax Reform Bills are to be commended as the…

*Continued from last week Saturday. Legacy “I want to be remembered as a governor who always tells the truth. I won’t lie! My goal is to live in the hearts of the Ekiti people, and I believe the key to achieving this is by staying connected with them and implementing policies that positively impact their lives. Ultimately, I aspire to be remembered as a governor who brought prosperity to our people, and one who demonstrated responsible and responsive leadership. “Chief Obafemi Awolowo is remembered more for his revolutionary policies, such as Free Education, than for symbols like Cocoa House. To…

I recently had the honour of visiting Ekiti State, where I embarked on a self-guided tour to explore the projects completed or underway by Governor Biodun Oyebanji. From the bustling streets of Ado-Ekiti to the quaint towns of Ikere-Ekiti, Ikole-Ekiti, and Oke Ako-Ekiti, Oyebanji’s transformative initiatives have inspired optimism among residents, who appreciate his people-first leadership. As I concluded my tour, I sought out the governor’s perspective on his administration’s progress. Our thoughtful discussion revealed a leader committed to redefining the boundaries of possibility for all Ekiti residents. With his dedication to his people’s welfare, Oyebanji stands out as a…

There has been another addition to President Bola Tinubu’s media team. The president has also restructured his media team in a bid to “enhance efficiency within the government’s communication machinery.” Thanks be to God! Well, we are not here to look into the costs and benefits of this new addition at a time when Nigerians are clamouring for a review of the cost of the machinery of the government and the implementation of the Oronsaye Report on the cost of governance. Our focus is on the strategic relationship between government and citizens, as explored in ‘Media, democracy and the public…

Yorubaland’s royal institutions face significant challenges, threatening their traditional significance. Across the region, from Akure to Ikire and from Ikorodu to Idiroko, once-revered thrones have devolved into a chaotic game of musical chairs. Nowhere is this more evident than in Oyo, where the protracted search for a new Alaafin has become a seemingly interminable saga. The prolonged process has all the hallmarks of an endless marathon, with contenders awaiting divine intervention or a miraculous resolution to crown the next Alaafin. Elsewhere, while the ‘Emir’ of Iwoland’s relentless pursuit of power has diminished the throne’s value, the Soun of Ogbomoso’s sudden…

Ijesas are distinctive! They are known for their discerning nature and exceptional brilliance. Their rich history reveals fascinating connections. For the record, they are the masterminds behind Osomaalo, a pioneering business phenomenon in Africa. Ijesaland is credited with originating the iconic ‘Nwa Boy’ style, now a multibillion-dollar industry in Igboland. Ijesas are found to have excelled in various sectors, and this has gone a long way in demonstrating their versatility. In the 1930s, Obafemi Awolowo, the legendary statesman, once resided in Ilesa as Secretary to Daniel Ajayi Afilaka. At a time in the history of Ijesaland, Olori Remilekun Anike Agunlejika,…