“I WANT to use this opportunity to thank God, my worthy parents, President Bola Tinubu, who acted as a father-figure, as well as former governors of Lagos State- Babatunde Fashola, Akinwunni Ambode- and Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo State, all of who I have worked with, for shaping my views on pro-people governance.”- Idowu Ajanaku, Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Ondo State.
BY AYO OYOZE BAJE
A FAMOUS proverb by journalist, author and television personality, Germany Kent, says: “Never underestimate the power you have to take your life in a new direction,” is a It, indeed, serves as a reminder that personal and daily choices we make hold immense transformative potential.
Interestingly, this apt quote rhymes perfectly with the life-trajectory of none other than a fellow journalist and public affairs analyst, with who yours truly has had a well-woven relationship spanning over two decades, to the point of referring to him as a ‘beloved blessed brother.”
His Diamond Jubilee was, therefore, an opportunity to engage him on the journey so far.
“Let me confess right from the start that my life has been a dramatic one with the finger of God spreading all over it. For instance, my parents-
Daniel Adejuwon Ajanaku and Sarah Mojisola Ajanaku- gave birth to all their children at Idogun, in the current Ose Local Government Area of Ondo State, after my father, who was the first child, returned from Lagos State in 1959, where he had spent the early years of his life. But guess what?
“Idogun, being a border town with Edo State, was one of the few parts of the then Western Region that was hit by the Nigeria-Biafra civil war. I was born in June 1966 and survived the war by the whiskers.”
That was an ample demonstration of God’s power of protection from all manner of harm. With God’s divine design for Ajanaku’s glorious future, early death was far from him. On June 3, he turned 60, and counting.
Luckily, his parents were there as noble examples of what the right way up was all about. Name it- the fear of God, high moral discipline, respect for elders and of course, instilling in him and his siblings the never failing values of hard work, honestly of purpose, humility and character- to become a good ambassador of the Ajanaku family.
In retrospect, Idowu recalled with immense pride, that his grandfather, Samuel Ajanaku, established both St. James Primary School and St. James Anglican Church in Idogun and St.Paul’s Anglican Church in other parts of the nearby communites.
Sequel to this, he was a respected and influential preacher who spread the gospel of salvation across the Akoko Edo part of the then Western Region.
But there was more to be grateful to God to have hailed from the pace-setting family. His father was not only the first person in the town to own a car and erect a storey building, but also to be a school teacher, a profession he practised in many parts of Owo Division of the Western Region.
It would also be recalled that prior to his delving into teaching, his father was a politician and contested for councillorship to represent Irekan Ward, which he won under the defunct Action Group (AG). That meant he represented Idogun, Idoani, Afo and Ifon, all under the current Ose Local Government Area of the state.
His father became chairman of the House Committee on Finance in Owo Division, and made history by leaving a huge amount of five thousand, six hundred pounds (£5,600), the highest savings amongst all his peers then in the Western Region.
That was one noble legacy that his entire family were proud of and ready to emulate. So good to note that Idowu has kept that flag flying brilliantly, more so in the course of his exemplary journey in the field of journalism.
Worthy of note is that Idowu was still in his early years when he had access to popular newspapers, such as the Daily Times, Daily Sketch and Nigerian Tribune. That also underscores his flair for journalism, which showed as early as when he was a Form Three student in the 1981-1982 session.
To give teeth to the bite, he became the first indigene of Idogun to have his article published by Daily Sketch. The focus was to draw attention to the infrastructural decay in the community.
Interestingly, it drew instant attention from the government, leading to the construction of the road from Idogun to Idoani, the other from Idogun to Imeri, and of course, the community’s bridge. Certainly, the morning shows the day!
As a multi-talented youth, he showed his passion for sports by becoming goal keeper of the school’s football team, even as a Form Two student, and did so for four years. That was in addition to being engaged in the 100-metre dash in the field of athletics.
Subsequently, he rose from being a time keeper to becoming the Social Prefect, bonding the students to see themselves as one family.
These traits were parlayed from his days at Lagos State College of Education, through that of Lagos State University (LASU) to the University of Lagos. But his fervour for journalism came full blown after his mandatory national service.
From working as the editor of the Mushin- based community Moonshine newspaper, he spent one year as a political correspondent at the Vanguard before joining The Guardian in 1992.
One remarkable national issue that he was neck deep into was the presidential election involving the famed billionaire politician, Moshhood Abiola, back in 1993, the results of which was controversially annulled to the outrage of not only Nigerians, but also the world at large.
Thereafter, he was busy at work on featuring the efforts of the Anthony Enahoro-led political coalition calling for the de-annulment of the election results.
Idowu recalled: “I did so because of my background and my belief in progressive ideals. This made me to support the Afenifere, the Pan-Yoruba socio-politicsl group, as it fought for the sustenance of democracy and true federalism in Nigeria.”
That experience in the struggle for the enthronement of democracy eventually saw him being graciously appointed by Fashola as senior special assistant on Public Affairs when he assumed office in 2007.
That was his first experience in political service and he felt honoured to witness the outstanding performance of the man, as exhibited across the governance spectrum while in office from 2007 to 2015.
Without doubt, that reinforced the huge confidence that was reposed in him for his next significant role. And what could that be?
Ahead of the 2019 general election, Idowu was chosen as the media man to promote Ambode right from the scratch. Devoid of sentiments, he proudly states that it was one assignment at which he did his best and was rewarded for it when he became special adviser on Media and Strategy to the governor, still remembered for his unforgettable infrastructural development turning the Centre at Excellence into a vast construction site between 2015 and 2019. The rest, as they say, belongs to history.
In his words: “All these roles were life-time experiences that shaped my views on how policies are formulated, how they are implemented and how they positively impact on the quality of life of the people.” Point blank, you would agree.
Reflecting on it all, Idowu humbly admited that all these would not have been possible without the hand of God directing his affairs, the great influence of Tinubu, who acted as a father-figure, and the impact of the late Yinka Odunakin, who was then the publicity secretary of Afenifere.
“Indeed, I learnt a lot from them, their die-hard nature, never to give up attitude for one to focus on his or her goals and push for his or her destiny, and more importantly, to believe in oneself,” he noted.
Idowu reinforced his belief in democracy from his experience during the NADECO days; hence calls his appointment as commissioner for Information and Orientation in Ondo State was a landmark one, making him the second son of the soil of Idogun to be so appointed, and coming 49 years after that of Olaseboye Olaseinde in 1976.
He is full of appreciation to Aiyedatiwa for the appointment, his kindness and assistance, as it has drawn him closer to his people, assisted him to project the image of the Sunshine State as one with golden investment opportunities in agriculture, tourism and culture, especially at a time the state clocked 50 years in existence.
He remains also grateful to his highly supportive wife, Abiodun Elizabeth Ajanaku, for being there for him through thick and thin over the years.
Considered from all perspectives, Idowu’s journey so far is full of lessons on the unfailing power that comes from the fear and worship of God, being well brought up to imbibe the features of high moral discipline, identifying one’s talents, honing and keying into them and becoming a success as a bright beacon in one’s professional practice and going ahead to demonstrate the love for democracy, just like one’s father has done.
As Ralph Waldo Emerson rightly stated, “Make the most of yourself, for that is all there is of you.”
Big kudos to Idowu Ajanaku.
