- Written by: Kayode Williams
Bidemi Joshua Obayangban deserves no reintroduction. His is a household name that is popular with many a citizen and readily makes good impression in most circles, even within the political space. In politics, he enjoys a reputation of benevolence, so that his popular sobriquet, OC General, becomes synonymous with philanthropy.
Obayangban’s brand resurged on the political scene when announced as Governor Aiyedatiwa’s new sheriff for the southern wing of the state’s forestry department.
Deserving as it is, the appointment attracted mixed reactions from folks, given the fact that the appointee is already towering in private and professional undertakings and should ordinarily have been consolidating his high scores instead of being called to public service.
His army of admirers worried that political office may compromise his rating and mar his lustrous image, or that the new engagement may distract him from the noble path he already chose. But the fact rarely said about Obayangban is that, for over two decades, he has been making unsung political strides in the state, including sponsoring political ambitions of friends and associates.
Strikingly, he had hardly settled down to office before he begins to prove doubters wrong as to his preparedness and capacity to add value to the state economy through the forestry sector. Bidemi’s forceful entry to the forest and his unmatched mastery of the terrain is fast keeping trespassers out of business. His is a resolve to swell the state’s purse with the state’s resource rather than indulge waste and theft.
It is true that the forest, over the years, has been a free-for-all affairs until Aiyedatiwa stepped in. The state, hitherto, has been losing huge monies to private purses through criminal activities in the sector. This explains why it has been long abused and plundered by unscrupulous persons and their political enablers. But the new sheriff in Obayangban would not have any of those illicit acts.
Arrest has serially been made since Obayangban took over the southern belt, to the admiration of citizens. The forest’s loopholes are daily plunged by the man whose training, experience, expertise and exploits the security sector is second to none. Small wonder his appointment has been severally lauded as a plus to the Aiyedatiwa-led government of Ondo State.
Ondo State needs more hands like Obayangban’s in its public service. Men and women of his rare breed who puts the state ahead of self so that the system could work for the highest number of persons. The personality of Bidemi Joshua Obayangban speaks to Governor Aiyedatiwa’s capacity to identify competent hands for government positions and strategically deploy same for the benefits of the state.
Thankfully, Obayangban is justifying the decision of Governor Aiyedatiwa on the choice of who best mans the forestry affairs in the state. OC General seamlessly coordinates the forestry space of the southern senatorial district in favour of the state in a manner that draws continued public praise; in a way that strongly suggests that he remains unyielding in his typical acts of prioritising public good.
Before political office, he has to his name beautiful humanitarian interventions, including the “Water is Life” project, for which he drilled no fewer than nine (9) boreholes in strategic locations within the Ode-Aye Community and Okitipupa Government field. He has also made repeated educational supports for school children in Okitipupa and Irele Local Government Areas as well as providing facilities and platform for sports development through periodic competitions, and more.
With his increasing strides, Obayangban maybe carving early niche for himself as a responsible public servant who values a good name more than tenuous material gains. He deserves an applause.
*Williams writes from Rareradar Public Relations Hub.
