“Am I An Americana? A Tribute To Oyato Governor” !! By Amos Kehinde Fourthman
AM I AN AMERICANA? A TRIBUTE TO OYATO GOVERNOR.
If you don’t move close just a little bit to these people at the helms of affairs you won’t really know the LARGE good part of them. All you hear and see in the media are their bad parts and your perception of them is based on it.
2006 when he was Oyo state governor ….
An association called Ibadan descendants Union in American and Canada (IDU) comprises of Ibadan sons and daughters took it upon themselves as at that time to donate 10 dialysis machines to Oyo state owned hospitals spread across regions in Oyo state ( Ibadan, Ogbomoso, Oke-Ogun, Oyo etc) but Ibadan would take large share.
The association got in touch directly on phone with Otunba Adebayo Alao Akala, he was happy. He then called the relevant appointees in the same government to handle the consignment but the government representative would have to travel down to US and inspect the machines before they are shipped to Nigeria. (An appointee was deliberately used to shield his identity)
Fast forward >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
The government appointee who was the representative travelled down to US. When he got there he acted like a typical hungry Nigerian government appointee whose appetite to steal can not be quenched by his monthly allowance and gifts.
The then president of the association acted along with him, but as soon as he left American soil, the association president put call through to the governor that, the man you sent can not represent the state and we do not want to deal with him going forward. Sir, please send another representative. Otunba was angry and wanted to get to the root of the matter.
Otunba sent one man an Alhaji for that matter, who was then I think …something kinikan on special duties (Commissioner or SA) but all I know is that, the man prior his appointment was a lecturer in Polytechnic Ibadan. The man has a very visible tribal mark in his cheeks (Smiles) that’s the best I can describe him.
Alhaji went to America inspected the machines and behaved like an honest and patriotic Nigerian.
Fast forward >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
The IDU president visited Nigeria and we both visited the governor in his office to handover a copy of bill of lading and other related document to him. To my suprise before anything he said to me in a jovial manner ‘my good friend eyin ara America please introduce yourself’ (am I an Americana?) as soon as I mentioned LAUTECH Ogbomoso in my introduction he was more interested in my stories in LAUTECH, and I gave it to him ‘wella’ when I mentioned one of the houses that I lived then “ILE IRAWO OWURO” not too far from the popular 2 storeys building beside High court, baba instantly remembered few things about that house and I mentioned two names to him, he laughed ……you don’t want to know that part 😀😀😀. Guess what, I didn’t mention my party then oooo 🏃♂️🏃♂️🏃♂️🏃♂️so much noise about formation of ACN.
He summoned the first appointee who did not represent the state well and right in our presence and others there, He tongue-lashed him. He said I should have relieved him of his duty but other excos prevailed on me, so he said. This gesture of him alone warmth my heart despite my political differences with him.
We left the office and at the entrance of the office we met this huge tall man, with guys surrounding him, and someone introduced us to him and him to us as Eleweomo, immediately I told the association president that he is the NURTW chairman, another young guy huge and tall too looked so much like Eleweomo (I guess his brother serving as his P.A) quickly reached out to hand over chairman’s complimentary cards to us, the chairman said “Any time you people want to come to Nigeria just call me, I will arrange for vehicle and driver that you will use throughout your stay” am I an Americana?
Hmmmmmmmm….life is just too short
Otunba Christopher Adebayo Alao Akala,
Otunba of the source,
OYATO governor,
Bujebudanu,
Baba awon boiz,
the TIGER himself,
Omo Iya Alaro …..rest in peace.
Amos Kehinde Fourthman.”
