HON. TEEJAY YUSUF PAYS TRIBUTE TO DR. STEPHEN OLORUNFEMI, A LEGENDARY POLITICAL PATHFINDER AND VISIONARY LEADER, 18 YEARS AFTER
Today; 15th February may be just a day, any day or another day to some people. But for the good people of Kabba, Okun Nation, Kogi West Senatorial District and Kogi State, it is a very unique and unforgettable date.
Exactly eighteen Years ago, we lost a political colossus, resourceful thinker, passionate philanthropist, pragmatic manager of men and resources, visionary leader, conscientious defender of human values, responsive professional and altruistic personality – Dr. (Arc.) Stephen Benjamin Ojo Olorunfemi.
Personally, I am torn between mourning and celebrating the life of this uncommon and unusual enigmatic political crusader. I have chosen the latter – celebrating his life.
Dr. Stephen Olurunfemi, in his lifetime – from professional practice to public service, politics and community development – was a trail-blazer and pace-setter, whose passion and commitment to the realization of corporate and group objectives was unequalled and unparalleled. He was a Leader in whose shadow many were nurtured; a father to successful children, a role model to accomplished acquaintances, a veritable guardian to distinguished associates and an indisputable achiever.
During his lifetime, he emerged as a first-class and top-rate personae in every academic and professional pursuit – Excellence on ALL fronts was his name. From his Secondary School to High School and the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria where he graduated with Bachelor’s and Masters Degrees in Architecture, he either emerged as the very best or among the top performers. His passion for intellectual development and knack for setting new standards, propelled him to pursue and achieve a PhD in City Planning (a highly specialised genre of Architecture) from ABU Zaria in 1988. With this, Dr. Stephen Olorunfemi emerged as the very first Nigerian to achieve this feat.
Similarly, in his professional career at the Northern Nigerian Development Company, where he rose to the very top position, before going into private practice, Dr. Stephen Olorunfemi distinguished himself creditably as a quintessential technocrat and consummate administrator.
The political odyssey of Dr. Stephen Olorunfemi was driven by passion for good governance, commitment to recognition of his people, communal development and general well-being of All from Kabba to Egbe. In all his political engagement and intervention from the Peoples Front of Nigeria to Social Democratic Party (where he emerged as Governorship Candidate in 1999) and Peoples Democratic Party (as a revered Leader), his actions, activities and policies were anchored on selfless service, justice and equity.
Dr. Stephen Olorunfemi was a man imbued with staunch power, vision and will to excel at all times. As a Leader, he was magnanimous, upright and fair to all. He was a repository of wisdom; whose words of encouragement and inspiration were incomparable. He was an epitome of forthrightness, sincerity, discipline, loyalty and morality; who imbibed in his children and those who passed through his professional and political tutelage, the principles of hard work, honesty, contentment, love and humility.
Today, as we celebrate the Eighteen Year Remembrance of our very dear and respected Leader – Dr. Stephen Olorunfemi, whose unique attributes of excellence, leadership, service, unity, equity and uprightness will remain evergreen in our hearts, I pray that we – the children, associates, acquaintances and benefactors, will do our utmost best to sustain his rare qualities and legendary legacy of selfless service to God, humanity and our respective communities.
On this occasion, I pray that Almighty God will continually give his wife and children the fortitude to bear his loss and grace to experience all-round success in their respective and collective pursuits, Amen.
HON. TEEJAY YUSUF
