Athenian mythology is rich in pulsating stories, legends, and myths that solidify the culture, traditions, and bravery of ancient Athenian society. It is evidence that each society is blessed with a distinctive great personality whose giant strides in their own era remain historical references. Mao Zedong revolutionised China into a modern society by advocating literacy, women’s rights and technical education. The current level of development in China cannot be separated from the strong foundation laid by Mao Zedong. Africa is fortunate to have produced great and eminent personalities like Kwame Nkrumah, Julius Nyerere, Patrick Lumumba, Nelson Mandela, Obafemi Awolowo, and other notable nationalists whose impactful contributions led to the eclipse of colonisation and the birth of a new era of pan-Africanism.
Nigeria’s State cannot be isolated from this uncommon grace of producing individuals with uncommon favour who have shaped the nation’s socioeconomic and political landscape over the years. Nnamdi Azikiwe, Ladoke Akintola, Ahmadu Bello, Tafawa Balewa and others are eminent individuals whose records of service remain unblemished and undistorted.
Hon. Segun Ebenezer Ogunwuyi, the incumbent Chief of Staff to the executive Governor of Oyo State, is a man who finds favour in the eyes of God and grace on the side of humanity. He is a product of grace and has never stopped to appreciate God for this uncommon favour. His tenacity of purpose was evident in his strong commitment to his academic pursuits, which enabled him to graduate with outstanding grades from Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife. He worked in the oil and gas sector and left with his head held high.
His incursion into the political climate of Ogbomoso and Oyo State clearly shows the favourable kindness of God in his life. He was elected as a State Honourable in 2011 with an overwhelming majority of votes. This victory allowed him to represent the good people of the Ogbomoso South state constituency with vigour and experience. His style of representation enabled him to achieve a nostalgic performance that remains unmatched to this day. His desire to extend the frontier of his benefits to Ogbomoso North, South and Oriire Local Governments inspired him to vie for the seat of the Federal House of Representatives in 2015, and the election result came out as a positive referendum because he defeated the then incumbent leader of the House in the National Assembly at that material time. Every leader has their share of negativity, but the way it is handled is what distinguishes a courageous leader from the faint-hearted ones. Hon. Segun Ebenezer Ogunwuyi experienced an electoral defeat in the 2019 election but demonstrated the spirit of sportsmanship and the courage to overcome it, and he immediately worked towards the electoral victory of Governor Seyi Makinde in 2019.
The pragmatic Governor of Oyo State appointed this man of grace to lead the newly created OYSIPA, whose mandate is to source private funds and investments that will alleviate the burden on the state’s limited resources. His purposeful leadership of OYSIPA was evident in the network of investments by several private companies in key sectors. This sterling performance then inspired the governor to appoint him the Chief of Staff. Hon. Segun Ebenezer Ogunwuyi revitalised the Office of the Chief of Staff to the Governor and thus became a household name across the thirty-three local government councils because of his commitment to effective service delivery and human and resource management.
This great political icon, Segun Ebenezer Ogunwuyi, is from Ogbomoso, but he views the entire state as his coverage area due to the universal mindset he possesses. He is a complete gentleman with a strong family history of warriors who had never shied away from standing on the side of the truth, irrespective of the circumstances. He is a committed family man whose attachment to his immediate family and community remains cordial and firm.
Governor Makinde deserves utmost respect for allowing Hon Segun Ogunwuyi to serve as his Chief of Staff. The Office has made him understand all the levers of administration in the State. He is fully abreast of the government programmes and activities. Oyo State will be blessed to have him serving in a greater office in 2027.
*Adeeyo from Olukumopa House, sent this piece from Taara, Ogbomoso
