Encomia: My First Ever Encounter With Senator Fatai Buhari !! By Alabi Tunji Michael.

In 2005, I was elected, unopposed, as the Treasurer of the Federation Of Ogbomoso Students’ Union(FOGSU), at the National Council.

I brought up the idea of organising a Football Competition for all secondary schools in Ogbomoso zone, which was accepted by the then executive arm and unanimously endorsed by the very sound legislators.

As a renowned footballer with sound zeal for excellence, I was saddled with the responsibilities of sourcing for funds and organising the competition, to making it a huge success.

It was a very challenging task, I must confess, considering how some people had used the name of this noble association to take money from people and with nothing tangible to show for it.

I approached twelve (12) different well to do personalities and I was trickishly turned down.

I remember how I had to be checking on a particular sitting local government chairman for nine (9) times, on appointment, but nothing came out of it.

I reported back to the distinguished members but I was encouraged to keep trying until I got a sponsor. My President, Ademuyiwa Olalere (Oodua) and Kehinde Mafolasere(General Secretary) felt so disappointed and nearly backed out.

I got home one day thinking of who next to approach and guess what, I remembered Honourable Fatai Buhari.

I had won the Best Player Awards in two (2) of Honourable Fatai Buhari’s organised football competitions, so I was so confident that he will sponsor the event.

I told some of our members of the new development and I will never forget all what they said to discourage me from going to him.

I learnt not to tell people of my dreams until it materialises, with the exception of like minds. How do you now identify like minds in this very dangerous world?

I heard he was around that fateful weekend and I decided to go to his Ibapon family house. I got there, my very first time, at exactly 5:03pm that Saturday.

I was given a very nice jersey he brought from abroad for winning his first Best Player Award, by the Late YK, (Osei) Aljanah Fridaus to him, so, I decided to wear the jersey while going to him.

I learnt he just came back from the many events he attended that day and he was going to rest but as God will have it, he looked back and on spoting the jersey on me, he came back to meet me.

“Young man, I love your jersey. How are you and how best can I help you ?,he said.

I smiled, prostrated to greet him and squatted to talk to him.

“Young man, I will only listen to you if you sit on this chair”, he said.

What a humble honourable, I opined.

I started by appreciating him for the audience, thanked him for the jersey I was wearing and the other gifts he gave me for winning the prizes on two(2) occasions of his Football Competitions.

I showed him the Fifty Three Thousand Naira Proposal(#53,000:00) for the competition. He briefly went through it and said it is a very brilliant proposal.

“You know I love football. Can this money be enough ?”, he asked. I said yes.

He spoke to somebody and the fellow brought out a brown envelope which I appreciated and left.

I quickly run to one isolated mud house to check the amount in the envelope and I screamed after counting Sixty Thousand Naira(#60,000:00). Waoooo.

I swang into action and the Football Competition recorded a very huge success. My fellow members were so happy on the final day seeing the Soun Stadium crowded with these students in very happy mood.

I say a very big thank you to Mr Edward Akintaro, the commentator, who spiced up the event with jokes.

I remember BCOS, NTA and two other private stations came to cover the grand finale. Sadly, Honourable Fatai Buhari was away to the United States Of America for an official function, so he could not attend.But I ensured I mentioned his name repeatedly in my interviews and implored others to borrow a leaf from this Pace Setter.

I charged people to change their orientation about this God’s sent man. I diplomatically hammered all those who discouraged me initially and implored our people to always make necessary findings before reaching conclusions.

Honourable Fatai Buhari invited me on arrival from USA and appreciated me, on behalf of FOGSU, for being truthful to my words.

As usual, but this time around, it was a customised white envelope. Do not ask me of how much it was in it. I laughed as if I just won a Visa lottery.

This has been the First and only Football Competition organised by FOGSU since 2005.
I stand to be corrected.

Whether in public office or out of public office , BAF will forever be my “idol”.