By Lanre Obalaja
I can’t keep calm, as much as I tried to, I really can’t keep calm on your birthday because you are many things rolled into one for me.
How I became your close aide will be a story for another day. But, how can I contain the inner joy in me away from someone who stepped in perfectly as my father figure after losing my biological father?
How well will I describe a man who turns his eyes away from my frailties and will only chastise me with love?
As a boss, I have read you like a book from the day we started the walk for your campaign, years back. I have keenly watched and learned from you, my life and the way I relate with people has been better for it.
As a mentor, I have been guided through both official and none official issues of life by you, I have had to follow even those advice that looked unrealistic to me and they all have come out so right. Through you, I learnt that what an experienced elder sees lying down, a young man can not see it standing on Mount Everest.
As a friend, we have shared drinks from the same cup without you bothering about age or class. What a humility from a senior friend who has everything more than I do.
I have watched how much love you have for your constituency, how much interest you have for your community Ayere. I have seen you spoken fondly about these, I have seen you act about these without faking it.
No wonder why you were inducted quickly into the Ayere Hall of Fame by His Royal Highness, The Alayere of Ayere , I see your love for the people, they see your love for them also!
I was scared for you on how you will cope with Nigerian politics, daily I see you grow into it in a special way. I have seen how you are not bitten or beaten by the negative politics around, I have seen how much love and empathy you showed to even those who seek your downfall.
There can not be a better Boss than you, sir, because you daily wowed me. Each chapter I turn to in the book called “Kilani” refreshes and teaches me a new thing daily.
May I say, sir, that if there are a multitude of people behind you, I am deeply seated amongst the crowd. If there are just a thousand supporters left, I am on the front row. If there are a hundred, I still maintain my position, sir.
If there are only just ten left, I am number one. And if everyone deserts you and perhaps you have only just one person supporting you, then know it without looking at your back that it is me.
If it now happens that you are left alone without any more support or supporter, you can be sure that I am no longer existing.
Happy birthday to the quintessential Hon Olusola Kilani Olumo my father and Boss. God bless you, sir!