For Dr. Helen Aderonke Adeniyi, huge duty calls.
By Babajide Obafemi
For those who know this eminently classical personality, you will agree with me that she is fearless and goal-driven. Out of nothing, she had her first degree, second degree and proceeded to do her Ph.D. Out of nothing, she has survived and made a good name for herself. I remember long time ago, in Ilorim, she was so technology driven that she started learning how to repair phones, laptops and technological gadget from my brother and friend, aside putting them to use, she wanted to know how they work and what is in them Don’t forget that you can either make a good or bad name for yourself in life, by God’s grace, she chose the former, I also chose the same path, so help me God.
A student union leader and an activist of note, Dr Aderibigbe cuts across all strata, having little or no enemy, perhaps, she has crushed them all on her way to the top.
The news of her appointment as the Commissioner designate to drive the affairs of the long overdue newly, created Ministry of Science and Tech filtered in on the 7th of March and much to the surprise of many, I wasn’t so surprised. I wasn’t surprised not because I expected the appointment but because I agreed with the appointment. The appointment for me, is the simple example of putting a round peg in a round hole; so, kudos to Governor Ododo for thinking out of the box. More of this kind of deserved appointment is expected from the new Governor, only then will his seriousness to move Kogi State forward achieve the needed result.
A serious government and administration should know that the economy of her State and Nation can not be driven forward without putting Science and Technology into proper place and use; the World is now a global village, how then will a positive change be brought, without a well-rounded technology force?
For Dr Adeniyi, it is time to roll up her sleeves and work! It appears that with this enormous assignment, she has murdered sleep and will not be able to sleep anymore. Just the way His Excellency thought out of the box and appointed her, she also should plunge herself into the irregular style of thinking.
I know her, I know her stock-in-trade, I know she is a miner of gold and result, I know she has done well wherever she is placed, I know she works and thinks like a man, I know she will make the women folks proud and I also know that she will justify her inclusion into the cabinet of Usman Ododo.
I (we) will be on the lookout for her, just like many others from Ekinrin-Adde, so like the ever restless, goal getter that she is, here is another chance to break the ceiling and raise the bar in a way that others will be positively envious.
And may I, while thanking all the leaders who made this happen and those who recognized her gift, say a big thank you to His Excellency Ododo Ahmed Usman(OAU) for this appointment, and for high percentage of women inclusion in his government. I also expect His Excellency to think about creating the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, if a technocrat or a cerebral individual is appointment to head this Ministry, since Kogi, most especially Lokoja is among Nigeria waterways, just maybe the dredging of River Niger will come to fruition. If not for big ships, cargo ships and boats can come to berth and drop goods in the confluence city for clearing. Think about the revenue drive, just give it a thought.
And for my versatile goal-getter Dr Aderibigbe Helen Aderonke Adeniyi, duty calls, I will advise you to put the call on speaker because you have to hear it loud, clear, and comprehensively. Duty calls, please pick the call and pick it so well.
