The chequered story of Mogaji Bowale Arisekola’s life is outstandingly inspiring in every front. His drive, ambition, and focus are truly encouraging; his uncommon virtues to humanity are equally relatable and edifying.
His story speaks pointedly to every Nigerian who has given up hope either because of the circumstances of their birth or the forlornness of the hopelessness they have found themselves later in life. It is a story that tells you that you may be a rejected stone today, penniless, down and out but could become one of the chief cornerstones tomorrow, not by cutting corners but by building a network of influence and working extra hard to transform your dream into reality.
For this celebrity journalist, publisher of Ireland-based journal, The Street Journal Magazine, philanthropist, public affairs analyst and highly celebrated biographer, life must be lived with integrity, dignity, decency, maturity and integrity, so that one would not be judged harshly by posterity. For him uprightness is the seed for achievement.
The tall and fair complexioned Arisekola’s mien, high moral standards and goodwill have profoundly helped him in unbolting many excellent chances in life both in Nigeria and outside the shores of Africa. His penchant for charity and love for the have-not is a unique aspect of him that distinguishes him from his peers.
If Karl Marx was right in saying that Philosophers have interpreted the world, one way or the other, the point however is to change it, then we could say that Wole Arisekola, is a Nigerian philosopher-king, who interpreted the Nigerian world in several ways, with the crucial task of changing the country for the better through his journalism prowess, news analysis, perception management, commentary on topical national issues, social media influence and also as an employer of labour among others.
I have heard this detribalised Nigeria said several times that the urgent task for all change-seeking Nigerian workers, youth and oppressed masses is to begin to actively organise to rebuild the declining platforms of struggle, especially the trade unions and the mass organisations of the working class as well as the students unions, making them genuinely democratic mass platforms of struggle and replacing their class-collaborationist leaders with those willing to take Nigeria to her place of pride and Eldorado.
Similarly, his support for Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu to succeed President Muhammadu Buhari didn’t come by accident, but very well thought out in the larger interest of Nigerians and he has said for the umpteenth time that those who know him will attest to the fact that he is ever loyal to his friends, loyal to a political cause he believes in and on no account will he compromise his moral rectitude, adding that nothing can change that.
In one of his recent interviews, he said, “I am making a bold statement that my unalloyed support for Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Presidential ambition is 100% and I can assure you that he is going to emerge as President Buhari’s successor in 2023 through the merit and strength of the ballot.”
Another striking moment of Arisekola was his comment when he said, “We speak of leadership that seeks to make our unity in diversity work. We speak of leadership that makes our leadership, both internal and external, safe for everyone. Leadership that is concerned about making democracy work and that take people out of poverty to prosperity. Leadership that makes Nigerians extremely proud of their green pastures, leadership that will engender national cohesion and integration. That leadership can only be seen in Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu”
The Ibadan-born businessman, Mogaji also expressed optimism that Nigeria will become great again under the presidency of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. He said his confidence in Tinubu’s ability to provide the quality of leadership needed to bring to country to work again was reinforced by his choice of running mate, former Borno Governor, Kashim Shettima.
Arisekola added that Shettima’s hard work has paid off, his loyalty to a course he believes in hook, line and sinker has also paid off and above all, Asiwaju’s knack for identifying intelligent people to work with him has positioned Kashim Shettima as a perfect match “And behold I present to you a sure intelligent, courageous, fearless and workaholic in-coming Vice President of Nigeria, a commendable South-North balanced ticket”.
For the establishment of the much sought after new Nigeria, I have no doubt that the robust achievements and virtues that are manifest and inherent in some of the newly emerging leaders of a new generation of Nigerians such as Mogaji Bowale Arisekola and a few others can drive that process of paradigm shift in our country.
Emmanuel Ajibulu is an infoprenuer, publisher of veracitydesk.com.ng, writer, communication consultant and social media influencer, emmanuelajibulu@gmail.com.