“For he is a jolly Good Fellow…! For he is a Jolly Good Fellow!!.. For he is….”
The sincerity in their emotion-laden voices jolted me as they sang with lifted wine glasses…
Chief Adedayo Ojo, a childhood friend of the Acting Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi had selflessly issued an E-Card Invitation, Tagged Adewale Adeniyi’s Odyssey to a selected group of people. Most came, believing it was essentially to wine and dine, kill the hours, and go home. We couldn’t have been more wrong!
Unarguably, each had come, from their highly fenced, opulent, and comfortable homes, to altruistically perform an honourable duty. Every one of them, a unique and distinguished soul!
From the side of the media were Dr. Reuben Abatis, former President Goodluck Jonathan’s image-maker; Femi Adeshina, former President Muhammadu Buhari’s mouthpiece, the CEO of the highly revered Ovation publications Lord, Dele Momodu, etc.
A team from the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations NIPR came with the renowned Arrowhead, Dr. Rotimi Oladele. They came in good numbers. They flaunted it. They were nonetheless, ‘swallowed up’ by an outlandish crowd of Great Ifes, who snatched the opportunity to declare their usual (controversial) leadership status and rendered the Obafemi Awolowo University’s institution’s anthem.
*L-R: Sesan, Dele, the CGC and Bolaji
From the Customs Brokers side came the former CRFFN Arrowhead, Alhaji Hakeem Olanrewaju; former NAGAFF National President, Chief Eugene Nweke etc. While the CGC’s Maritime media background was reflected, via the presence of Sesan Onilemo of the Shipping Position, Dr. Bolaji Akinola of Ships & Ports, and the Maritime First CEO, Dele Aderibigbe.
Actually, most of the men standing up with lifted wine glasses have individually paid their dues and made their names. They do not need much introduction. In a sense, they were kings in their respective domains, having passed the days of rough edges and certainly moved into Maslow’s self-actualization phase. They included two first-class monarchs, one of them, Oba Oluyin of Iyin-Ekiti, Oba Ademola Ajakaiye, who had known the CGC for 47 years. The Bobakede of Odo Ona Egba, Chief Yomi Badejo Okusanya was also there.
But, some of them were strong members of the Osun Development Association ODA. The ODA President, Dr. Femi Aina was, for reasons beyond his control, absent. He was ably represented by the Vice President.
First, the cocktail.
And then, the exciting sessions began.
It was like asking the simple question: Who knows Wale Adeniyi here?
The Chief Host, and a revered ‘Son of the Soil’, Chief Adedayo Ojo, seemingly set the ball rolling, when he described the CGC as a Born-leader, always a Captain of various groups, an Alpha -student, who unimaginably, but effectively combined, and yet excels, both in sports and in academics simultaneously.
Few Others joined. They know him. Their account revealed an enviable background, that most of his today’s friends didn’t originally know about him. It became obvious: Wale Adeniyi was richly molded by his early leadership MAN’O WAR background training, baked by his heavy involvement in sports and recalibrated by his quality, academics prowess.
Mr. Tim Akano, another Great Ifeite, while describing him as “a professional Captain”, a Man O’ War Capt, a Class Governor, a Departmental Capt, A volleyball Capt; and perpetually an A-rated student, could yet be as humble as a lamb!
Perhaps, these were the raw materials that Journalism and Public Relations heavy exposures in his later years found, toughed, and amplified, to evolve an enviable Soul, with an intractable level of humility and fear of God!
Then, the session quickly dove-tailed into character analysis. Dr. Bolaji at this point went philosophical, stressing that the CGC does not abandon dreams, vision, or mandates, halfway.
“The depth of CGC Wale Adeniyi’s character can be glimpsed from the first few days that followed the announcement of his appointment as the Comptroller-General of Customs.
“On June 19, he was about 6,000km away from Abuja. He was in Brussels attending a World Customs Organization meeting along with other senior officers of the Service when his appointment was announced.
“Being appointed the Comptroller-General of Customs of Africa’s largest economy; a country of more than 200 million people with an annual trade of N52.3 trillion is a big deal. We thought he would cut short his trip and dash back home to get his shoulders adorned with the highest rank in the NCS, and immediately take over the reigns of power from the outgoing CGC.
“But that is not the way of the renowned officer and gentleman. He stayed back in the country of the Red Devils until he completed the assignment that took him out of Nigeria. It took him one whole week to return.
That action gives an insight into Mr. Adeniyi’s kind of person. It shows the character that defines him”, Dr. Bolaji Akinola stated.
He sees the CGC as “a lifelong learner, a strategic and critical thinker, a man with exceptional interpersonal communication skills, a leader that creates an inspiring vision of the future, motivates and inspires his followers to engage with the vision, and manages the delivery of that vision.
He finally, safely concluded that in the 132-year history of Customs operations in Nigeria, and 65 years after the Customs and Excise Management Act (CEMA) was first promulgated, Adewale Adeniyi is certainly, the first person to serve as the National PRO of Customs and then rose to the position of Comptroller-General.
“But he is not defined by the powers that he wields, or the position that he occupies, or by any single one of his many extraordinary achievements like the seizure of more than $8 million cash being illegally taken out of Nigeria in February 2020 during his tenure as the Customs Area Controller of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport Command, or the conferment of a national honour on him.
“I think Mr. Adeniyi is defined by love and passion, particularly, the passion for his job”, said Akinola, quoting Mahatma Gandhi’s view that “A man becomes great, exactly to the degree, in which he works for the welfare of his fellow men”.
Mr. Akano who had been a close friend of 40 years easily recalled that Wale Adeniyi had shared his desire to sponsor a little project for his secondary school, but could not, for a paucity of funds; yet only three weeks after, he delivered over $8million filthy lucre, he impounded, illegally straying through the Murtala Muhammed Airport, in Lagos.
“To me, it was that day he saw over $8 million, and overcame the temptation to keep it and so reported the money to the Service that he became the CGC. The President (Bola Tinubu) has only crowned him on June 19, 2023…!” he posited further.
Music played. A group from Port Harcourt kept everyone spellbound. Yet, the session taxied into what is akin to Hammurabi’s Code: We are satisfied by your achievements. But know this, however, ‘By this appointment, your sterling qualities would now be fully tested’. Therefore Wale, Rise up and do your best to justify it!”, the Osun Development Association stressed, pointing out that the CGC must work and deliver far better performance, than all his predecessors! Mr. Gbenga Arojoserere delivered the message brutally.
Truly, there was no dull moment.
Both the listeners and talkers were satisfied. Everyone believed the day had been well-spent. the CGC was asked to deliver a Response, before his friend of 36 years, Tunji Olugbodi would round off with a brief Vote of Thanks. But, the CGC only stood up and gave everyone a symbolic assignment.
He has a vision: There was once a carnage between Ife and Modakeke, which adversely affected the people mentally and emotionally. There must not be a dichotomy again. There must now be a genuine and enduring peace. A committee is already working on rebuilding the walls. The CGC wants everyone to share his vision, and probably become a foot-soldier of peace. The flag-off day would be Akoraiye Day! Portfolios were immediately assigned.
How beautiful are indeed, the feet of the Peacemakers!
Swiftly, the session, rather than ending up as a cacophony of noise, signifying nothing, and which can be obliterated by mere winds, had actually metamorphosed into another noteworthy pivotal point: the people must use the pains of yesterday’s dirge, as the foundation stone, strength and inspiration for the gains, ecstasy, and wisdom of tomorrow’s victory songs!
Obviously, those who thought they knew him, merely understood a bit of him. Again, his Inspiration seemingly provides him with a new imaginative edge.
As they sang with lifted wine glasses: “For he is a Jolly Good Fellow….!!!” I realised the Bible actually is truly right: Humility and the Fear of God, give Life, Honour, and Wealth. Proverbs 22 verse 4.
