Benedict Olugboyega Alabi: A Phenomenal Administrator @57 By Olaniyi Ajibola

Benedict Olugboyega Alabi, was the product of the divine arrangement of procreation that came to fruition in the early hours of July 12, 1965, between adorable amazon and legend of note, Mama Eunice Atoke and Pa John Oyeyemi Alabi, both of blessed memory, at the Catholic Hospital, Oluyoro, Oke-Ola, in the agrarian community of Ikire, the present headquarters of Irewole Local Government.

From an organised family setting, strongly rooted in the Catholic faith, Alabi started a journey of life with readiness and focus to fulfil his earthly obligation of being a blessing to humanity as his name, ‘Benedict’ suggests.

In the same way Jack Welch puts it :” Before you are a leader, success is all about growing yourself. When you become a leader, success is all about growing others”, Alabi relentlessly followed the path of hard-work and dignity, rising to his apogee in banking and private business, and eventually became a thought leader in the political space.

After completing his Secondary education, he proceeded to the Polytechnic, Ibadan, to study Banking, at a tender age of 18.

He later attended Olabisi Onabanjo University and University of Lagos respectively for his Bachelors Degree in Banking and Finance and a Masters degree in Economics.

He is a fellow of Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria, a Fellow of the Institute of Credit Administration of Nigeria, a Fellow of the Government Institute of Research and Leadership Technology (with specialisation in Strategic Management).

Benedict Alabi, is the first African to be qualified and awarded the Sustainability Facility Professional (SFP) Certification by the International Facility Management Association, Houston USA.

BOA, as he is popularly known in the political palance had worked at managerial level of many banks in Nigeria .

He has served on the Technical Committee of Federal Government of Nigeria on Development of Green Building Initiative for Nigeria as well as Committee on Establishment of Building Rating System.

Both Initiatives of the Federal Government of Nigeria are directed towards taming building collapse in Nigeria.

He was the pioneer Group President and Chief Executive Officer of Eliezer Group, the company he raised from nothing to become leading entity in facility management industry in Africa, with offices across the continent.

Despite his wealth of experience and success attained,the industrialist also ventured into Agriculture,as well as becoming a source of encouragement and advocate of youth involvement in the sector.

To the chagrin of many, he stormed the political enclave as a colossus, and changed narratives in many quarters without noise, with profound determination to grow multitudes.

Curiously, his political expedition has revealed many hidden talents in him, which continued to amaze many pundits and gladiators, within and outside the state of Osun.

It is against this backdrop that Governor Adegboyega Oyetola described him as a loyal, forthright, and committed lieutenant.

The Governor further described Alabi as a brother,a dear friend, unassuming and humble personality, who merits recommendation of good deed.

Obviously, Benedict Alabi’s political sagacity, forthrightness, humility, leadership quality, loyalty, insight, commitment, and service to the people of the state are legendary.

For instance, the Deputy Governor was nominated as the Chairman, Technical Committee on Covid 19, where he prudently and judiciously managed available resources to flatten the curve of the virus in the State despite incursion from neighbouring country.

As the Chairman, Road Safety Advisory Council, he has technically coordinated the Osun traffic architecture in collaboration with other paramilitary agencies saddled with responsibility of traffic management.

Alabi, as the Chairman, Osun State Boundary Committee redefined the scope of crisis management between the State and contiguous states on array of boundary disputes through the concept of Alternative Conflict Resolution, with laudable results of great interest.

Imbued by passion for humanity, the Deputy Governor founded Osun Ajose Foundation, to support indigenes of the State and empower the downtrodden for the purpose of liberating them from the shackles of poverty.

The foundation had also supported various small and medium scale enterprises to boost the micro economy of the State.

In line with the biblical injunctions and humanity theory, suffice to say that Alabi has laid treasures in heaven and achieved immortality in the hearts of the people through his unwaivering service to humanity.

The Deputy Governor, who believes that blowing one’s trumpet deliberately for selfish motive was immodesty of the highest order preferred his achievement to go ahead of him in the minds of the populace.

The growth and development of people is the highest calling of leadership.
This informed the decisions by notable National and international organizations to honour him with myriads of national and international awards before his assumption of office and during his service to the state as the Deputy Governor.

Without mincing words, the future is for those who dare to dream and find courage to pursue their dreams, that indeed remains the guiding principle of Mr Benedict Olugboyega Alabi.

A man of enviable intelligence, calmness, with unflinching loyalty embedded in clarity of purpose.

Indeed, every 12th of July is a nostalgic reminiscence of a divine intervention in humanity, providentially domiciled in the ancient town of Ikire, a special gift of unquantifiable value from the most high.

According to the indelible words of Simon Sinek, ” A boss has the title, a leader has the people”, obviously, you are a leader and dynamic mentor of impeccable personality with amalgam of mentees .

From birth to adulthood, the iconic administrator has exhibited resilience and doggedness to weather every storm with great triumph, leading those coming behind with profound trait of courage and determination.

Benedict Olugboyega Alabi, a leader of a virile line-up, leading from the front with zeal, inspiring from the middle with passion and defending from the back with vigour.

A trailblazer of rare sagacity, shrewd and thorough. Indeed, your significant impacts on many lives around you have shown the degree of your resoluteness and determination to change your spot and the world at large.

Omo Baba Oyinbo Dudu, Ewu Ni Winrin! We join many others around the world to celebrate a phenomenon and icon; may the rest of your existence brings more honour, prosperity in sound health.

May you celebrate more of this special day with uncommon favour of God, as you continue to selflessly serve humanity.

Happy 57th Birthday Your Excellency, Benedict Olugboyega Alabi, Deputy Governor, State of Osun.

Olaniyi Ajibola, Senior Special Assistant/ Press Secretary to the Deputy Governor.