The common scenario is that many people only supplicate to God in times of trouble. This should not be misconstrued as worshipping God.
God is a being to be obeyed and worshipped always and not just someone to be supplicated in times of needs or troubles. Mr. Isiaka Adegboyega Oyetola, the Executive Governor of the State of Osun always exemplifies this in his actions and 'inactions'.
From his actions and dispositions, it's obvious the governor is not just a religious supplicant, but a worshiper, who truly believes in the monotheism of God.
Over a year ago, penultimate declaration of his gubernatorial ambition, Mr. Oyetola left Nigeria for Mecca (Lesser Hajj) to commune with God and entreat God's approval.
He went, saw and conquered, as he came back, contested and won the September 2018 gubernatorial election in the State of Osun.
Devotedly, Oyetola made a covenant with his God, that if He grants his supplications, he would go back to the same place (Mecca) for Thanksgiving Worship. The governor considered his convent sacred and didn't renege on it, as he, with his less priviledged-friendly and amiable wife, Mrs. Kafayat, left the State about two weeks ago for Mecca.
He does not just resort to God in times of troubles. He resorts to his God always and worships Him even after troubles are obviously over.
Some of Oyetola's sterling qualities attract him to me. One of the qualities is his ability to maintain equilibrium and emotional calmness between Mr. Oyetola and Governor Oyetola. In Nigeria political experience, these two personalities (before assumption and after assumption of power), although in one person, are not always the same.
Some politicians (after assumption of power) exemplify the correctness of the adage that "Money is the root of all evils". Some, by their actions, confirm the fact that power is an intoxicating substance, as they behave as though they're under the influence of alcohol.
Convincingly, my thoughts on power contained in a book of my collection of poems published nine years ago were perhaps correct after all. In it, I wrote:
*POWER*
Power is an intoxicant
It intoxicates the powerful
When it arouses the powerful,
It turn them to emotional cripples.
If some were God, they won't be merciful
Rain would be caused to fall only on their roof
And when it falls everywhere, it won't be useful,
For people's efforts to be fruitful.
Thus making people's efforts to be wasteful,
And making them become sorrowful.
Absolute power is powerful,
As it makes its monger emotional cripple.
In their action, they're not mindful,
Whether their action is harmful,
Harmful to the people.
To me, such power is shameful
And I'm sure that he who,
Has no constant power is not powerful.
Tell the power mongers to be careful,
As power itself is deceitful.
Of God's punishment they should be hopeful,
For, to the people, they're not helpful,
And to them, they're fearful.
Power and power can be powerful,
And might is right, I know,
But no one can be as powerful,
As Eledumare, the Most Merciful.
I commend Mr. Oyetola for resisting and defying the intoxicating influence of power. As someone who grew up from childhood to know Mr. Isiaka (as a very elderly family brother), I observed he still accords people the same volume of respect he had for them before becoming a governor and now.
I welcome Mr. Governor as he returns to the State. I beseech God to strengthen him, both physically and spiritually, in all his endeavours and in all spheres of life, just as he continues to develop the State with implementation of his people-friendly policies.
*Jimoh Olorede* writes in from academia.
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