Prince Adeyinka Aderemi-Adetukasi
A human life that trudges on and counts 50 years by all stretch of logic and perhaps reason is deserving of clinking the glass, considering the average life span in Nigeria.
So, celebrating the life of a man, who has put smile on my face and the faces of millions of people directly or indirectly, is not negotiable, considering how he has made positive impact in all spheres of life in his quest to touch lives.
I asked God of so many things while I was growing up and eventually, one of those prayers was answered the day my part crossed that of Congressman Abimbola Olufemi Daramola, and I am a direct product of his intensity, mentoring, support, philanthropic acts, large heartedness, and guidance.
Growing up around you is an experience that I can’t measure your impact in my life. When I finished my OND and all I wanted at a time to do was to travel out, and you woke me up one particular January 1st and said Yinka get a grip of your life! What do you want to do in this new year? Alas, I told you have decided to go back to school and that I choose the University of Ibadan and you leaped for joy as if it was about you.
From that very point you sponsored me all through school and I am a masters holder today.
You have impacted positively in my life, “Egbon Ayiye,†as I fondly call you.
You have also been nice to everyone who has crossed your path and we thank God for making you a gift to this generation and Ekiti
Words fail me to express my gratitude for a man who ruggedly wants to see everyone get ahead in life. Only God can your reward you.
As most of his admirers, friends, family, political and business associates rolled out the drums to celebrate Bimbo Daramola’s 50th birthday on November 9, the celebration without any iota of doubt is an avenue to celebrate a man who has distinguished himself as a quintessential gentleman, philanthropist, humanist, administrator par excellence, respected politician, businessman, husband and father.
Looking at the way he has managed his life and community service, Daramola has shown that he is a leader worth celebrating at 50.
Since he ventured into politics in the Fourth Republic, Daramola has proved beyond reasonable doubt that he is determined and focused to bring out the best in whatever task given to him.
He has over the years, through perseverance and forthrightness, distinguished himself in business and political circles.
He has also excelled in private and public life without soiling his hands. Today, he is among Nigerian politicians who stand stall in the polity, without any corruption charges hanging on his neck.
Daramola, can be described as an accomplished Nigerian, who has contributed to the development of the country in different capacities, especially as a lawmaker. As representative of the Ekiti North 1 Federal Constituency in the Seventh National Assembly between 2011 and 2015, he did his best for his constituency and Nigeria at large.
He has selflessly served his fatherland diligently and meritoriously. As a lawmaker in the Seventh Assembly, he contributed immensely to robust debate on the floor of the House and used his position to touch the life of his constituents.
Many of his constituents benefitted immensely from his ‘Abomire’ programme, a feedback programme to his constituents, where he do give out gifts and empowerment programme to people in his constituency.
One of the days the people of his constituency cannot forget is the second ‘Abomire’ programme where he gave out six cars and other gifts worth millions of naira.
Daramola is not a greenhorn in politics, especially in Ekiti State, where he has been playing active politics, contested and won an election to House of Representatives.
He is a committed and patriotic party man and can be regarded as one of the founding fathers and pillars of All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ekiti State. He has contributed greatly to the party right from the days of the party as Action Congress (AC) and Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) before it merged with other parties to become APC.
When AC started, he gave the party 160,000 posters that was used to flag off the campaign of the party and in 2012, he repainted the entire national party secretariat.
Daramola was the director general of Kayode Fayemi campaign organisation during the 2014 Ekiti State governorship election. He contributed immensely to the party’s outing during the contest.
Even prior to the election, he was among those in forefront during the three years legal tussle of Dr. Kayode Fayemi, to reclaim his stolen mandate after the controversial 2007 governorship election in the state.
Apart from being an experienced politician in elective and appointed positions, he is also a successful entrepreneur, who has given many people opportunities to excel
Daramola has also paid his due in Ekiti State, one of the reasons he was bestowed with many chieftaincy titles.
He has awarded numerous scholarships to deserving indigent students from his community and gave hope and succours to less privilege within and outside Ekiti State.
One of the unforgettable good gestures of Daramola was cancelling a $100,000 order he made for purchase of a Range Rover in United States to raise fund for treatment of a cancer patient. That good gesture denied Daramola the opportunity of owing a Range Rover till date. This gesture shows Daramola as a man who can sacrifice for others comfort.
Daramola is one of the leading governorship aspirants on the platform of the APC and his desire to seek the election is to touch the lives of the people of Ekiti for them to enjoy dividends of democracy. There is no iota of doubt that considering his antecedents and how he has touched many lives and bring comfort to people, Daramola will be a good governor if given the opportunity to succeed Governor Peter Ayodele in 2018.
As Daramola celebrates his 50th birthday, I am delighted to join his well-wishers, political followers, associates and family in celebrating a consummate politician, philanthropist and an astute businessman.
May you have Joy in your deepest heart desires as we celebrate this golden jubilee. Happy Birthday My Pride! Happy Golden Age My Eagle!.
–Aderemi-Adetukasi Writes from Lagos
