Sat, 27 Feb 2010 07:34:18 +0000

The rise and rise of Kazeem Adio
Friday, February 26 , 2010

For Kazeem Ademola Adio, 34, immediate past Commissioner for Environment in Osun State, and the entire people of Iwo, an ancient town in the state, nothing better has happened to the town since the state was created in 1991.

As one of the town\s sons, Fatai Akinbade stepped out of the cabinet of Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola three weeks ago as the secretary to the State Government, Kazeem, another rising star and a budding technocrat was chosen to replace him. He thus became the youngest man to occupy the enviable seat of the secretary to the State Government, SSG, the number three position in the state cabinent.

For this feat byKazeem, it was a celebration galore before and after the swearing-in ceremony of the new secretary to Osun State Government on Fbruary 3, 2010. The tempo of the celebration could not be less as it is the highest position an indigine of Iwo has reached since Osun was created. Even in history under the old Oyo State where the state was carved out. An erudite lawyer Eniola Atanda and Chief Kayode Aderibigbe a quantity surveyor, both now late, had attempted to fight for the state number one position at various times without any fruitful result.

However, what his elders could not achieve, Kazeem ,34, seems to be poised to do it with his supersonic flight from Commissioner to the number three position.The appointment indeed sprang a surprise across the state for some people. The appointment was a surprise joker to ease tensions between some politicians who had worked with Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola and whose ambition was to replace him as the state number one citizen.

According to sources in the state, those who are political strange bed fellows were appointed to replace the former secretary to the government, Alhaji Fatai Al<inbade and chief of staff, Peter Babalola. Particularly, Iwo elites were allegedly not in good terms with Alhaji Fatal Al<inbade, the former SSG for various reasons Akinbade who is from, Ogbaagba Olaoluwa Local Government which was carved out of old Iwo Local Government and a part of Iwoland is believed to be a son of the soil. But by his attempt to perpetually dominate Iwo by virtue of his position as SSG was unacceptable to the people.

According to sources in Iwo, a joke he allegedly like to crack is that those in town, apparently referring to lwo, could not do without prostrating for a villager like him or else they want to go hungry, was considered an insult from somebody who was regarded son of the soil. Also, most of the projects that were allegedly given to two, were allegedly transferred to Ola-Oluwa leaving Iwo without any project to signpost the state presence. Some of the projects include the school of Nursing, Customary court of Appeal and Cassava Company.

To the chagrin of two elltes; the TV constructed by the Chief Bola Ige but frustrated and bungled by Ige’s inability to return to the Government House in 1983 has remained uncompleted despite the interest of the governor over the project. “If the TV station were in Ogbaa ba, do you think, Akinbade wouldn’t have ensure its completion? a top elite in Iwo queried.

According to a source an alleged mess in the completion which caused a delay in the TV station operation in Iwo handled by a close friend and political associate of the former SSG informed a conspiracy against the appointment of Kazeem . However, a counter force masterminded by some elites frustrated the attempt by the alleged spoilers.. The question remains: can Kazeem Adio deliver and live up to the expectations of his people.

For some, the new SSG is a young politician and may match Akinbade who is believed to be a grassroots man. Moreover, prominient lwo elites believe Adio is a fast learner and seems to be mastering the rope beyond the expectations of anybody. This, among others was part of what impressed the Governor to endorse his appointment.

The 34 year old SSG studied International Marketing Management, University of East London, United Kingdom at master dcgrce level. Earlier, he had done a master in Business Administration at the University of Ilorin. For his first degree Adio studied accounting at the Bayero University Kano In Nigeria 1998.

Bcfore his foray in politics he was a versatile and enthusiastic Project coordinator with over five years experience in Business analysis, education and project management. Adio equally developed a thorough understanding of front, middle and back office operations, and the corresponding work and information flows.

As an informed Muslim, his Islamic (academic) life started, at Ridwanullah/Anu Oluwapo Islamic and Arabic Centre Bariga, Lagos This was where he acquired the foundation knowledge of Quran and the Hadith, was to be followed many years later by the study of the Tafsir and Tajweed at the AI-hudaa Quranic and Education International Services, London. This has to a large extent powered by his unquenchable zeal for both western and Islamic education.

He was a member of the Muslim Student Society of Nigeria, ANSAR-UD-DEEN Abuja branch and currently a member of the Muslim Association of Nigeria (UK). He is a member of the Islamic Awareness Forum (UK) and a partaker in the Al Haqq Foundation Thamesmead, which has been actively educating and imbibing leadership and tolerance qualities amongst the Muslim youths in the community.

Dr. Isa yuguda Mal. Isa is our candidate. He was born in Yuguda village of Bauchi Local Government he graduated from prestigeous Ahmadu Bello University Zaria 1979 where he obtained Bsc Economics and MBA (Masters of Business Administration) 1998 at University of Jos. His career started as a research officer with Modern Agriculture and Consultancies, bodija Ibadan as a youth corps member (NYSC). Mortgage Manager, Federal Mortgage Bank, Bauchi area office between 1981 and 1984. Credit Manager at Savannah Bank, Ado Bayero Branch Kano 1986 - 1987, Branch Manager Sokoto 1987 - 1987 then Manager Abuja branch respectively. Acting General Manager, Inland Bank within one year became the Managing Director Chief Executive now FinBank Plc after spending more than eight years in the bank he moved to NAL Merchant Bank as MD/CEO. Appointed State Minister for Transport then Minister of Aviation during President Olusegun Obasanjo regime. Now he is Executive Governor of Bauchi State, Nigeria. View my complete profile