Chief Ségun Ògúnwuyì: Vision, Insight and Epitome of Leadership Personified
PanNigerianNews
6 min read
By Sayo ALAGBE
Life continues at different phases and speed. Life and time ensure individuals attain certain statuses more symbolic, impactful and highly significant to the growth and development of their community, state and the nation at large. It is a pattern of noble paths for good men to be given privilege to serve where their usefulness can be maximized and standard practices are established as legacies. Based on the foregoing and as a matter of fact, the context of leadership position in the contemporary time is riddled with opportunists, rather than merit as yardstick of attainment.
As a matter of departure from the ignoble to noble, kudos must be given to the Number One citizen of Oyo State, Engineer Seyi Makinde; who deemed it fit to look for who the cap fits, for the sensitive, accountable and significant position of Chief of Staff of his administration. It is a feat to get good men and women to work with. Good people are scarce like grass in the desert. It is a round peg in a round hole. At this juncture, it is imperative to say, though that I stand to be challenged, that the Oyo State Chief of Staff, Chief Ségun Ogunwuyi, is one of the last of the strong ones. Within the scope and sequence of his visionary qualities, he is a political juggernaut, strategist, influencer, mobilizer, great tactician and good leader of men and women. There are instances.
Moreover, to reminisce is to flashback on his soulful contributions that hinged on vigorous house-to-house, street to street canvass and mobilisation during the electioneering campaign of his principal as the incumbent Governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde’s second term bid in office, was conspicuous and acknowledged by all and sundry. He has remained a rallying point and oak under which the political class, relevant stakeholders, office position seekers, and the youths in the ancient city of Ogbomoso are getting succours, and of course, their quests under the government of the day, realized.
Remarkably, it is to his credit that as Chief of Staff, Chief Ségun Ogunwuyi has been able to live up to expectations as far as protecting the interests and safeguarding the progress and continuity of Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) umbrella, towards being more stronger and relevant, not towards the contrary direction of advancement. He has equally united and focused in carrying every political Dick and Harry along in the scheme of things. His politics of inclusiveness remains a case study. His tentacles, to say the obvious, have spread beyond Ogbomoso South Local Government, but stretched to the length and depth of Ogbomoso North, Orire, Surulere and Ogo-Oluwa Local Government Area and Oyo State at large.
Though the above illumination, no doubt, occasioned and confirmed the emergence of the Oyo State Chief of Staff, in person of Honourable Chief Ebenezer Olusegun Ogunwuyi fondly called ‘OSÉ’ by his acolytes, lackeys, allies, associates and his numerous political followers in the politics of Ogbomoso, Oyo State and Nigeria in general. It is of great importance to reiterate that vision is the magical wands for development, those who possess it, see what others cannot see.
Though leaders all over the world emerge by electoral process, selection or chosen as a matter of laid down rules; not by force, coercion, compulsion or imposition, but majorly through identification of one’s exploits or as a reward for one’s positive contributions to the society, discovery, of certain remarkable impacts or raising the bar of human or community growth and development. The bottom line is that no one is found in a position without certain qualities being found in him or her, that befits the position. It must be said that Oyo State gets it right with the appointment of Chief Ségun Ogunwuyi.
In all honesty, the mantle of leadership is not entrusted on him on the platter of gold but through God’s providence, hard work, dedication to duty and constant prayers. The torrents of grace flooded around him and the crown of leadership was divinely afifxed on him as a compensation for his determination to succeed through thick and thin. It is unarguably pertinent to say that he has held the sway in various political circles: elective and appointment; respectively both at the state and Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Moreover, with sense of history comes the facts that Chief Ségun Ogunwuyi has fought and won political battles; he has equally fought and lost elective positions and took both with equanimity, like a good sportsman. He had twice been elected as a member of Oyo State House of Assembly, and later as member House of Representatives representing Ogbomoso North, South and Orire Federal Constituency, after which he was appointed as the Director General, OYSIPPA, Oyo State; Chief of Staff to Engineer Seyi Makinde for two years both during his first term in office as the Executive Governor of Oyo State. He was reappointed, ditto, as the Chief of Staff in the ongoing second term tenure of Engineer Seyi Makinde. This is not an accidental feat.
He didn’t get to the level on the platter of gold, but through hard work, discipline, honesty of purpose, high fidelity and non-compromising stance to any course he believes in. To cap it all, he is a determined person who possesses stamina, strong will and courage to pursue his ambition despite criticism, ridicule or unfavorable circumstances.
It cannot but gladdens one’s heart that the indefatigable and man of unassailable character, the Executive Governor of Oyo of Oyo State, Engineer Seyi Makinde didn’t err at all or made a wrong choice by appointing Chief Ebenezer Olusegun Ogunwuyi for another time as the state Chief of Staff. Honourable Chief Ségun Ogunwuyi, an energetic, steely man, possesses energy and vigour to crack the riddles of the palm when it comes to resolving knotty political and administrative issues; through solutions that lay unrest to rest with empirical analysis.
It is of great importance to say that those who don’t know him, or who are not close to him believes he is adamant, self centered or doesn’t forget issues so easily. Good leaders have such attributes. Besides, like notable leaders: Socrates, Pythagoras and some great leaders that ever lived, Chief Ogunwuyi was a misunderstood personality, but not the other way round. Beyond these wrong perceptions, Chief Segun Ogunwuyi is very accommodating and approachable – especially when the theme of one’s mission focuses on logical issues that could help Oyo State to grow, move forward, develop, productive and create ideas that will bring joy and happiness into individuals mind in Oyo State in general.
Significantly, another attribute of Chief Ségun Ogunwuyi which l strongly believe and I’m convinced that earns him his present position and status, is nothing but his industry, level -headedness, respect, honestly, sincerity of purpose and his stance to always queue up behind his principal unless the occasion demands that he should come forward and stand shoulder-by-shoulder with the governor to rub mind as a matter of importance. He is not a politician without being purpose-driven. There are many negative things he doesn’t associate with. They have no space and places in his dictionary.
Chief Segun Ogunwuyi is not the type that tries to shrink himself to fit into a position he has overgrown. He believes in continuity, a progressive continuity. He knows the terrain of human beings like the back of his hands. He understands that if you want people to hate you, tell them the truth. He loves peace. He does not sail in storm.
…Alagbe, a politician, veteran journalist, communication consultant, writer, poet, and culture exponent, writes from Ogbomoso.
