By Sunday Ajibola
“Character is a personal credential; no man is a man of honour without it.”
Life is a two-way traffic in that what you give, you get in return. The problem with most of us is our propensity and inclination to reap where we have not sown. Everyone, particularly politicians—elected and appointed—craves to be praised or given accolades for having good manners. To them, journalists should label them the best crop of people in society. Their acts, actions, and dispositions, however, are erected stumbling blocks standing between them and the fulfilment of their craving. The Holy Writ says, “You reap what you sow.”
I met him back in 2009 as Special Adviser on Infrastructure to then Governor Olusegun Mimiko. I was the Meda Officer, Ministry of Physica Planning and Irbabn Development. His office was close to mine. Reporters used to come to me to take them to his office. Though youthful, he was respectful and did things with finesse. Anytime he wanted to “settle” reporters, it was always in an envelope. I noticed that in him.
The cabinet reshuffle of 2011 caused me to leave the Ministry of Works premises. Dr. Gboye Adegbenro was promoted to the post of Commissioner. This elevation afforded him an opportunity to unfurl his true characteristics and nature. Offices, power and money bring out our true nature. Sometime in 2015, a journalist said, “If Gboye commits a crime, no matter how heinous, no correspondent will write the story. He is our person.”
Those words carry a lot of weight, loaded with meanings; they set me thinking, “What is this man doing that makes journalists love him this much?”
He must be doing some things others dont. In Mimiko days, Ministry of Works was not the most buoyant. Journalists and politicians are two strange bedfellows. Politicians see journalists as necessary evils who are just tolerated because of the many skeletons in their wardrobes. They also love to hide behind a finger.
My findings showed that Engr. Gboye took journalists as personal friends. He treated them with respect. He courted their friendship and accorded them the greatest regard. Most importantly, Dr. Gboye took their personal problems as his own.
He bailed out many journalists from health-related or financial messes to the tune of millions of naira. There were those he assisted in roofing their houses, offset their school children scho fees. His time in office was a blessing to journalists
There was a particular time he came to see the Governor. As was usual with him, he checked the Governor’s Press Crew Office and met five of them in a sober mood. After exchanging greetings, he asked, “What’s going on my people? You are not looking happy.” They replied, “Commissioner, kosi lara (we are broke).”
He returned to his vehicle. By the time he came back, he put smiles on their faces, by blessing them with something very tangible.
The subject of this write-up Engr. Gboye is not an angel. I cannot even dare put pen to paper about angels, because they do not live in these climes. Far from it. The Engineer is human, like you and I, with flaws. However, it should be said that, as an appointee, he used his office to better the lot of many journalists.
It is on record that there was no journalist that sought his assistance and he turned it down Journalists, by training, are very sceptical of individuals who are chameleonic in nature, and regretfully, most of our so-called leaders—politicians and public servants—are not trustworthy. They are pretenders.
The assistance he rendered, the friendship he cultivated, and the respect he gave to journalists while in office are what he still enjoys today, even after almost ten years of leaving office. It is very interesting to note that even journalists that did not know him while office have heard about his unforgettable benevolence to their colleagues.
They too take him as a friend. He is about the only former office holder who can invite journalists and they would oblige him in large numbers. Gboye Adegbenro has earned the trust, love, and respect of journalists in Ondo State.
Last Friday, he celebrated a landmark achievement—his PhD—in his Ilara home with a get-together. Political leaders, associates, friends, and family members were on hand to rejoice with the Star Boy. His political godfather, Dr. Mimiko, was among the dignitaries. The former Governor was as young and youthful as ever. More on this in later write-ups. Of course, the journalists’ stand was the most pronounced; they were there in large numbers and made the place lively and full of fun.
The journalists could not have done otherwise for a friend and a worthy politician with a heart that cares for them.
Congratulations, Dr. Gboye Adegbenro, the jolly good friend of journalists.
I must not forget that in Kunle Ajibogun, alias Awesu, Engr. Gboye has a loyal, dedicated and committed friend and Special Assistant on Media. He has continued to be a bridge between the Engr./politician and journalists.
