INTEGRITY PAYS:Rotimi Makinde Celebrates Ajibola Famurewa On His Birthday.

This write up perhaps is what comes to mind as I join million of well wishers to celebrate the Director General of ILERI OLUWA GROUP,Hon Ajibola Famurewa for clocking yet another year today .

I have painstakingly think of phrases and how best to pour precise encomium on this refined gentle and kind hearted man of notable characters, my former colleague,friend and brother on this day of his birthday. 

I seriously think back of similar glorious day in 2011 when I personally ensured we gave him a surprise and befitted birthday bash at my expense in luxurious  Hilton hotel Abuja in a well attended gathering of well meaning Nigerians including the Almighty Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives.

From the onset. 

Indeed, Israel Famurewa had occurred to me as a man full of wisdom and a sound human manager with a definite call to serve.We were in Adamawa State for our induction as a first timer when I clearly saw the clarity and the much differences in him as a man who is full of energy, whose political sagacity and sound human relations and high sense of responsibility will take to places. I nominated him to serve as our caucus leader and openly encouraged my other colleagues to think along with my idea but it never flied and it hurts and hunting them till now. I  can not also forget our visit to Rt Hon Lasun Yusuf residence few days after he became the deputy speaker of the house of Representatives,with little persuasion from me,he Ajibola agreed to followed me down to his residence with serious intention to settle the associated rift of the house election,i was on my way out after I had suffered unwarranted electoral misfortune,i  had voluntarily chosen to champion the need for them to close ranks and work in unity for the progress of our dear state.

"We did what we did,sacrificed even my own intention to contest to ensure we never spite our principal Gov Rauf Aregbesola and most especially our national leader Asiwaju Bola Tinubu on his preference and now that you have emerged,please lets move on and continue to see each other as brothers".... That was his exact words to the Rt honourable on that night.I was moved.

The rest is now history,this and many others was well documented in my yet to be publish book.(Makinde a man of many parts). 

Asking for what you want and need from others is strictly a matter of principle that must never clash us with dignity. Even in the heat of serious political battle,he was not blinded with ambition.

Speaking your truth, even though it might create conflict or tension. Behaving in ways that are in harmony with your personal values. Making choices based on what you believe, and not what others believe is also the cardinal of responsible character.Hon Ajibola Israel Famurewa stands out .Today is your birthday,you may not be heading any committee in the house either as a deputy or chairman,some of us know why,you stand by the truth,your loyalty to the party and to our principal and for the best interest of the party you truly loved.This stand like many of us keep you away from that deserved reward of the house and the party you helped to install,I was there when we jettisoned a million dollars offer to betray,climbed the gate and teargas to protect our biggest catch.Let me simply join thousands of your fans,friends and family to wish you long life and prosperity.

You are today waxing stronger,no case in EFCC and your integrity and popularity remain intact.To be a DG piloting such formidable platform endorsed by God is enough to send signal to your good heart that your chamber can only change from green to red and not to anything below as a reward for your steadfastness and loyalty.

Please be assured that commitment and uprightness pays and that we shall dance together very soon.

My paddy for life,keep the flag flying and accept just this as my sincere token birthday gift for we are all working within limited opportunities for we belong to all.