Bibiire: When A Man’s Character Speaks Well Of Him -By Reuben Omotayo

For a man to be well known and respected across the board as “Bibiire”, the cognomen is not just a vocabulary but a niche for leadership that carries a scale between competence and character. What this implies is that while we have “standard bearers” spanning different organisations of human endeavours, virtue increasingly demanding how to aid most successful organisations of people requires ethical bearers which commonly denotes “touch bearers” that can turn things around. This according to research is leader character.

In a similar look, leadership as identified by Norman Schwarzkopf Jnr. says that, “Leadership is a potent combination between strategy and character. But if you must be without one, be without the strategy” teaches about virtue as more important than competence for all leadership positions. Thus, “character” a synonym for the vocabulary “Bibiire” in Yoruba language enacts a fine gentleman that is diligently devoted to public service. That man is christened Mr. Bolaji Kayode Robert, Honourable Commissioner for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Rural Development in the ongoing Second Term Administration of Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, the Governor of Lagos State.

The former Executive Chairman of Oto-Awori Local Council Development Area exudes trust and confidence across communities and around most well-meaningful individuals, to the circle of the traditional rulers across Lagos State. To say that Mr. Bolaji Kayode Robert is a through-bred community man from the Awori stock cannot be a doubt, except by someone or people who are yet to come across him in the midst of others. His exceptional repertoire in bringing out precise proverbs using the Awori dialect to support every point of discussion is both irresistible and incontestable. As a matter of fact, he does so with ease in a manner akin to technical acumen.

Previously appointed Special Adviser to the Governor on Local Government and Community Affairs towards the end of Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu’s First Term in Office, his stint as a Special Adviser was rated as most valuable by the State’s Council of Obas and Chiefs given his carriage of humility and trust in handling issues of mutual concern with confidence and result. His pivotal roles in discerning widespread issues of importance for Mr. Governor became the pathway by which the Governor was able to reach out effectively to diverse stakeholders at the grassroots.

At one of such community engagements, specifically during his tour of the State’s Council of Obas and Chiefs in each division, the Ikorodu Division of the Council appraised his character as worthy of emulation to underscore the invaluable need of appointing indigenes of sound character into the Office of Honourable Commissioner for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Rural Development by the State Government. His stint according to His Royal Majesty, Alaiyeluwa, Oba Ajibade Bakare Agoro, the Ranodu of Imota Kingdom was said to be more credible compared to the erstwhile predecessors.

There is no doubt that this gentleman of honour widely acknowledged as “Bibiire” from all evidences embodies total fulfillment of the saying by which this piece of publication is titled: “When A Man’s Character Speaks Well Of Him” is chosen to demystify his humility to a fault. At one of the Retreats organized by the Committee of Wives of Lagos State Officials (COWLSO) in conjunction with the Ministry of Local Government & Community Affairs (as known then) for Market Leaders and Operators in each of the five divisions of the State, during the Retreat held at Surulere for the Lagos Island Division in 2022, the First Lady of Lagos State, Her Excellence, Dr. (Mrs) Claudiana Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu was amazed to find out his caliber is full of humility to a fault as he officially welcomed the First Lady to that event.

Being humble is not only to the great, high and mighty, but to all individuals no matter how low, both outside and the entire Ministry that he superintends. It is pretty part of his lifestyle and culture anytime he comes across anyone in the discharge of his official responsibilities. He does not despite or look down on somebody to say “who are you” as sometimes found in the conducts of some top hierarchies. He is well-embracing of everyone, generous and can crack jokes with penchant in his usage of Awori.

To his credit, when he was appointed Special Adviser and the Oniba Ekun of Iba Kingdom, His Royal Majesty, Alaiyeluwa, Oba Suleiman Adeshina Raji visited him with his Royal Council at the conference room of the Ministry, His Royal Majesty acquiesced his comportment before the Ministry’s officials led by the former Permanent Secretary, Mrs. Kikelomo Sanyaolu as not “true to type”, but the real identity of the man, “Bibiire.” The grassrooter is an awesome delight to Members of Community Development Associations (CDAs) across the State.

As he celebrated another year of grace on Sunday, 12th May, 2024, here is to wish him many more grace of blessings, sound health and long life.

Reuben Omotayo Hopo is General Secretary Lagos State Public Service Forum (Badagry Division).