By Hameed Ajibola Jimoh Esq.
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On the 10th day of January, 2024, I read a write-up credited to one ‘Mr Olufemi Pedro’ with the heading ‘Why I Have Empathy For Betty Edu.’ Though forwarded to a WhatsApp platform that I am a member on the 9th January, 2024. It was the first write-up that I read on the said day of 10th January, 2024: my bread was fresh; my assimilation was fresh; as I coolly took my time to digest the write-up! While reading the write-up (if actually was written by the said ‘Mr Olufemi Pedro’– the same man that I have used to hear his name while growing up in Lagos State (as an indigene of Lagos State)), I was asking myself whether the writer is actually related to the ‘Pedro’ that I was familiar with the name in Shomolu with an area called ‘Pedro’?! In fact, I was compelled by the write-up to read more about who is ‘OLUFEMI PEDRO’?! This enthusiasm to research on the name was as a result of my thoughts that the writer of the write-up must be an ‘elderly person’ who has impressed me with the brief write-up! I was inquisitive to know that ‘great-man’ that has written the write-up! Alas! Reading through and or researching through the personality of ‘MR OLUFEMI PEDRO’ an elder of almost seventy (70) years of age according to Wikipedia online, fulfilled my day!
Furthermore, to also pin-point some of the parts of the write-up that inspired and motivated me and rekindled my ambition leading to this my paper, I have noted the below quotations:
“My candid advice to all young people who are called to service in public office is to seek out a mentor of a public officer serving or retired with some measure of credibility and good pedigree who will guide and mentor them on how to navigate the murky waters of public office.” OLUFEMI PEDRO.
“To us critics and commentators, I get it that we are genuinely shocked and angry as to the level of malfeasance we are witnessing in public service, but be aware that we should rather learn from her mistakes rather than laugh at her. What happened to her could have happened to many of us whether by omission or commission. Public service is a serious and sensitive business where your actions or inactions could have serious consequences for millions of citizens that you’ll never meet personally. Temptations, greed, and indiscipline could easily be your undoing especially if you are young, carefree, and with no one mentoring and guiding you.” OLUFEMI PEDRO.
“There are still many young, smart, focused, and dedicated young men and women out there who are interested in public service at the leadership level not because of the attraction of free money and power but for the genuine desire to serve the country and the people. I urge you not to be discouraged but to continue to pursue your dream. The nation needs you.” OLUFEMI PEDRO.
The above quoted statements from the purported ‘Mr Olufemi Pedro’s write-up inspired me and motivated me greatly once more about my standing zeal to serve as a politically appointed public officer if given the opportunity to do so! This is also because I see my passionate service in public capacity as a service to God Almighty through service to humanity! Hence, this paper is to with all sense of responsibility, humility and respect, assure ‘Mr Olufemi Pedro’ that his write-up has indeed inspired and motivated me and how much it has indeed inspired and motivated me!
Upon reading Mr Femi Pedro’s write-up, I pondered on what actually inspired me (as a Nigerian young youth of thirty-seven (37) years of age) to serve in public service as a public officer and the history of this passion. I therefore recollected some few roles that I played or found myself in while growing up, for instance: in my primary school testimonial, it was remarked about me where it was stated thus ‘CHARACTER: Here the Headmaster should make remarks on the character of the pupil’ and the Headmaster made the remark thus ‘He was gentle, dutiful and obedient’. Also, in my Junior Secondary School Testimonial, the remarks were ‘Punctual’ and ‘satisfactory’. Also, in my Senior Secondary School testimonial where I (upon appointment by the school authority) had served as the Muslim Assembly Prefect of the Government School named ‘Ajayi Crowther Memorial Senior Grammar School’ in the CMS Complex, Akoka, Bariga, Lagos State and also doubled as the President of the Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria for the CMS Complex comprising five (5) Schools in all, my school testimonial certificate gave the following general remarks about me thus ‘He was well behaved, responsible and regular in school’. While my Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria of my school issued me a Certificate of Excellence and commented about me thus ‘He is respectful, loyal and worked diligently during his tenure in office’. Also, in my studentship at the Lagos State University (LASU), Faculty of Law, I served as the ‘Protocol Officer, Lincoln’s Inn, Lagos State University, Ojo, Lagos (Twice-elected un-opposed). Furthermore, in my National Youth Service Corps (herein after referred to as NYSC) year, I had served as the ‘Assistant Director of Litigation 1’ and issued a certificate of merit at the end of my service year. During the service year, I carried out personal projects to impart on my communities where I carried out four (4) projects in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, which were:
- Construction of two (2) standard wells built with rims and rim covers in a village called Tungan-Samu, located after the FCT-College of Education New Permanent Site, Zuba, AMAC, FCT-Abuja;
- Paper Presentation/Legal Talk & Academic Counselling at Junior Secondary School, Bwari Central, Bwari, FCT-Abuja, on the topics:
‘PROTECTION OF CHILDREN AND THE YOUNG PERSONS UNDER THE NIGERIAN LAW’. which was a 76-pages paper researched on the topic and delivered on that occasion before dignitaries across sectors;
- ACADEMIC COUNSELLING ON: ‘MY STUDY, MY FOCUS, MY LIFE’, which was a 13-Pages Orientation Paper I prepared and delivered at the occasion;
- Provision of Relief Materials for Inmates of Kuje Prison, Kuje, FCT-Abuja.
The above projects that I carried out in my NYSC year conferred me with the ‘FEDERAL CAPITAL TERRITORY (FCT) MINISTER’s AWARD OF HONOUR (EQUIVALENT TO A STATE GOVERNOR’S AWARD) AS ONE OF THE FIVE (5) BEST CORPS MEMBERS OF THE YEAR FOR BATCH ‘C’ 2014 IN THE NYSC, FCT-ABUJA’. I must state here that all the above services were carried out with passion, dedication and commitment to God Almighty’s glory with the spirit of national service and service to humanity and till today, I am filled with joy, happiness and fulfillment for having served in those capacities and would do more if given another opportunity to do the same! Alhamdulillah (all thanks to Allaah)!
Furthermore, since my service in the NYSC, I was indeed inspired and motivated to serve in the public service as a public officer but the opportunity has not presented itself till date as much as I have desired. At this my level as a lawyer of at least ten (10) years post-call, two public offices of interest to me at this period of my life are either: political appointment; or an appointment as a Judge of High Court because I really wish I could be given the opportunity to serve with all my capacity, capability and passion as a young and inspired youth; with God all things are possible!
Finally, therefore, I really thank Mr Olufemi Pedro for the words of advice and wisdom to the Nigerian youths! In fact, to me, they are words on ‘marbles’ and I have digested them for implementation if and when God has given me the opportunity to serve either as an appointee to a political office or as a Judge of High Court! I therefore dare to say (though respectfully) ‘Dear Mr Olufemi Pedro’, that indeed, as you have opined, ‘There are still many young, smart, focused, and dedicated young men and women out there who are interested in public service at the leadership level not because of the attraction of free money and power but for the genuine desire to serve the country and the people…’. I assure you most respectfully, that I am one of those young youths that you have referred to in your statement if given the opportunity to serve the nation- my country. Also, to me, the talents to serve are God-given and though I may be young, nevertheless, I am not too young to serve my nation if given the opportunity to do so!
Email: hameed_ajibola@yahoo.com, 08168292549.
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