ILAJI, THE BEAUTIFUL BRIDE By Waheed Adurodekun

It is uncommon to see public spirited individuals in the black nations of the world, who voluntarily indulge in deep philanthropic acts, extending to socio-cultural and infrastructural developments, from his or her hard earned resources , rather the black leaders prefer to engage in inanities , show of affluence and concentration on massaging their esteem .

They rather keep their affluence to themselves and their families, when the invincible will of providence provides them with such privileges of wealth, and as for those who engage in such, are sometimes linked to political aspirations and target of certain public advantages.

Unlike in the developed continents of the world , where there are several foundations , attending to public and private needs of their society and individuals, putting smiles on faces and helping the needy solve their problems , the situations in Africa seems different, where wealth are amassed , even from public domain and kept in confinements and banks , only to be bequeathed to generations after them , no wonder the holy book of Christians says “the Ignorant keep wealth , not knowing who will use such wealth” .

It is therefore uncommon to see few public spirited fellows who deliberately engage in such demeanour without sentiments attached , and in cases when we are privileged to identify such personalities, it becomes incubus on us to encourage such personalities and show them some level of value and appreciation , we may seek to engage them in public trust and confidence as we presently witness in the case of Engineer Oluseyi Makinde(FNSE) , who has justified the mandates of the good people of Oyo State with historic transformation of every sphere and sector of governance .

Governor Makinde , without unnecessary indulgence in encomiums and eulogy stand to be the best governor that ever ruled the affairs of the pacesetter state , he has indeed raised the bar of governance for coming leaders , to toe the path of fame and we continuously pray for his grand success at the terminal exit point and the handover of baton to another visionary man , who will continue from where he commendably stop in the affairs of state . No doubt, I know we still need GSM at another level of public affairs in the coming political equations , may God grant him his wishes of the next political move.

The excitement is how the highly revered *Mogajis* in Ibadan have reacted to the position of some of us , who have served as chairmen, under PDP banner as regards ,the appeal to our man of tremendous achievements , Engineer Oluseyi Makinde to help us invite Chief Dotun Sanusi to PDP for more synergy and greater taste of his unprecedented philanthropic gestures .

It is incontestable that Chief Dotun Sanusi is not a politician and not in the least interested in politics, his philanthropic acts have gone beyond political sentiments, religion, sex , age or tribal affiliation , Ilaji” as fondly called has touched numerous aspects of human existence in his inherent nature to effect positively on his immediate and larger society . For an individual to have successfully executed repair, rehabilitation and construction of such huge kilometers of roads , provided transformers to illuminate several communities , brought many communities and areas out of darkness to light, assisted several youths carved bright future and develop sports to unimaginable level of success , provided degrees of assistance to diverse people, groups , religious bodies and individuals and as will forever be his symbol, established the best hospitality base throughout Nigeria , in Ibadan land “ *Ilaji* *Hotels* *and* *Resorts*” , and not in the least, the recent sponsor of some clubs to Europe, shaping their future in the lucrative round leather game career, are the least of numerous acts of benevolence and kindness to humanity ,to convince any discerning mind that Chief Dotun Sanusi deserves whatever attention we may want to give him .

The reaction of the Mogajis , which is well lauded is just that further conviction that Chief Dotun Sanusi “Ilaji” remains that beautiful bride that everyone wants to associate with , he is a man of impeccable character , pedigree and an octopus, who has made significant contributions to humanity . The invitation appeal forwarded to our relentless performing governor, is to have the likes of *Ilaji* and other public spirited personalities ,synergize with him the more , and the good people of Oyo State will be the ultimate beneficiaries .

We are not unaware that some ventures sometimes require one political affiliation to exhibit more philanthropic gestures and identifying with Governor Makinde, will make this permeate strata of the state the more .

We are not unaware that Chief Dotun Sanusi is an unwilling politically inclined figure, whose demonstration of philanthropy is not politically inclined , but be that as it may his attraction as we called, is in the overall interest of the populace of oyo State , be it PDP, APC, ACCORD or other political parties .

The recent introduction of Solar powered Electric Buses, cars Motorcycles, and Machines to ease transportation , being the first in Nigeria,when fully in place, is quite historically commendable and the operations will definitely require some level of synergy with the government of the day , which we believe Governor Makinde will support unalloyed .

Ilaji’s philanthropic gestures is endless and has by far outweighed similar indulgence witnessed in Oyo State history, as many workers employed in different phases of his business empire continue to supply daily feed to individual families and get eased off economic strangulation , being experienced in the entire country, Nigeria . It is therefore a simple act of value for such demonstration of kindness to humanity, that impulse the move to have him attracted within the purview of cooperation ,with a *like* *mind*, in the personality of the current governor , with whom they share the same spirit to impact positively the world .

Chief Dotun Sanusi , did not allow his viscera dislike for politics kept him at bay, while the campaign was on, to get President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of the APC party emerge the winner and simultaneously declared his total endorsement for a second term of Governor Makinde if PDP Victorious in Oyo State , what a man with passion and love for his tribe, people and overall development of Oyo State and the nation at large ?

Thus calling out our Governor to draw Engineer Dotun Sanusi should not be viewed as just mere politica;l move , but that enmeshed in creating expansive design and architecture , to make him extends more, his deep philanthropic acts ,, which have turned positively , the lives of many for good .

The inescapable facts of the entire scenario is that Chief Dotun Jubril Sanusi has written his name in gold and carved a niche of a man, we all love to associate with ,I salute the position of our respected Mogajis on their man , the *Jagun* *Olubadan* of Ibadan *land* and the need to protect him to themselves as we may also want to , all these are just pointers to that sacrilege that he is indeed, the beautiful bride in the public domain , beyond political affiliation and other sentiments .

Chief Waheed Ajao Adurodekun,a PDP Chieftain writes from Ona Ara LG area of Ibadan.