Loved, respected and can be misunderstood by his self-styled nature. A man who is profoundly impactful. Otunba Bankole’s sapient fittingly enigmatic. His is a man of many parts. Respected for his stupendous sagacity.
Born in Ekinrin-Adde into the popular Alhaji Ahmed Dare’s family (a.k.a ‘Alhaji Samu’). The man, Alhaji Ahmed Dare, was a faithful and charismatic fellow of Islamic religion during his lifetime. He was respected for upholding the tenets of Islamic customs and practices in Ekinrin-Adde till his death. Infact, he was a man of many side. Revered for his ideological precept.
Otunba Bankole is embraced into the class of traditional/cultural identity, affinity and character of “Itapa Kingdom” in Ekiti state, Nigeria as “Maiyegun”. And of course, that is a resultant testament of his collectedness, delightfulness, magnanimity and strategic brilliancy.
His ability to bridge gaps, bid negotiations and remains on the loyalty table made him expansively relevant and influencingly unprecedented in all crucial moments. Sprang from perspective of a dynamic struggle in the real sense of building a good life and creating an enduring footprint for himself and people around him.
Maiyegun is a symbol of possibilities. He embodies resilience and wisdom. Proactive, bold and systemic. Otunba will assuage jokingly in a convention of manner in which if you are not his staunch, you will sum him up covertly exultant but on the contrary, he is inside and out overtly beautiful, very concerned and beneficent.
When he broke the news of his 50th birthday anniversary to me, I quickly reflected on the journey so far and I quipped – ‘how time flies’!! – And, I immediately developed the invocation and a strong desire to cut some words for the edification of his five decades of useful, meaningful and ingenious life.
“For me, celebrating you @50 did not only reminds me of the vitality of our youngest age when I was potentially troublesome to some of our contemporaries and hell bent on making storm out of their teacup then. While it does not alone offers me an epigram that my days are slipping by yours’ “sweeping motion” into 50, but also provide me a great opportunity, joy and ectasy to celebrate your 50th birthday as a brother and friend in good health and insured mind in my life time”.To God be the glory!!.
At 50, your marks have been indelible; no doubt, you have redefined yourself in a rapidly changing landscape as a benefactor and motivator to many destinies. And this singular act is strategic to human emancipations in its hook, line and sinker.
Otunba is winsome. One with a distinctive great ideation, who will not take “no for an answer”. Principled, cultured and will not easily be defeated; somewhat hardened and uncompromising when it comes to his believe system. But nothing stops him to stand by anyone who he believes in.
Take it or leave it, he is one “Omo jaiye jaiye” who never lacked the bravura of a god of ‘gyration’! Bet me, it is never a dulling moment when you caught a niche with him in his shared space.
Today, I express tremendous appreciations to you and through this, invest in our brotherliness; honouring how invaluable you have demonstrated this bond. Thank you for standing by me in my darkest turn.
“Dear Otunba, as today marks a significant milestone especially as you end the first phase of the golden point and exchanging a baton to start counting towards the centenary milepost, I Pray God to enable and grant your heart desires and answer your secret prayers”.
I therefore joined your numerous well-wishers to thank God Almighty for how thus far His unwavering and unending love has taken you to navigate this stormy life!
Congratulations and happy birthday to you sir, Otunba Bankole Ayo Dare.
Ire owo loju nri ooo!. Ire ooo!!
– Martins Mejabi
