𝐄𝐧𝐠𝐫. 𝐋𝐞𝐤𝐚𝐧 𝐁𝐚𝐝𝐦𝐮𝐬’𝐬 𝐏𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐭. (𝓫𝔂 𝓛𝓪𝔀𝓪𝓵 𝓘𝓭𝓻𝓲𝓼 𝓣𝓸𝓶𝓲𝔀𝓪)

Natural preordainment commands certain privilege that are presented to only a few. Being born into affluence and influence is one. And patently, affluence doesn't necessarily translate to influence as the latter is borne of inherent commitment to the course of significant contributions to the proceedings of chosen affairs; public or private. To be affluent is unique and fast becoming ubiquitous. However, the rare and extraordinary juice of being affluent and influential, which most wealthy people still can't afford from the fear of retrogression, is the blossom that 𝐄𝐧𝐠𝐫. 𝐀𝐛𝐝𝐮𝐥𝐫𝐚𝐡𝐦𝐚𝐧 𝐎𝐥𝐚𝐥𝐞𝐤𝐚𝐧 𝐁𝐚𝐝𝐦𝐮𝐬, 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐄𝐱𝐞𝐜𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐃𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐫, 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐎𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬, 𝐍𝐢𝐠𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐚 𝐏𝐨𝐫𝐭 𝐀𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐲 was born into. A family run by a man that cares about giving as much as he cares about owning. 

Those who grew up in Osogbo in the last three decades can’t possibly shove off the magnanimous gestures of Asiwaju Khamis Olatunde Badmus. The man is an accomplished agriculturist, businessman and most importantly, to humane reflection, a compassionate philanthropist. With a personality that exudes leadership, he has presented himself over the last four decades as someone who cares for the welfare of his people and his community at large. A force that echoed and still echoes beyond borders. This article isn’t meant for Baba, but it’s important to note his contributions towards shaping his son into becoming someone who’s so passionate about giving back to the street. His special ability to keep to the sphere of influence over tests of time in a chequered terrain like that of Osogbo needs to be studied. 

Inability to take the baton and forge ahead with the same energy, if not better, is a mystery that ensues such greatness. Nonetheless, Hon Holalekan Omo Odekilekun  is defying the odds with a deliberate effort projected at the embracement of the street. Who could have expected that someone born with a silver spoon in his mouth could bring himself to the realm of integrating and blending so well with the street to the extent of building camaraderie across the span of osogbo localities. “Down to earth” wouldn't do justice to how far he goes to not only draw himself to the street, of very high demands and entitlement, but also joyfully cater for the expenses that come with it in terms of finance, appearance and time. More like he derives pleasure in the same thing most people of his caliber would see as strenuous and draining. That all his schooling journeys were in Nigeria and even in the most common schools speaks to a personality that grew to have genuine love for common lifestyle with utmost willingness to identify with it.

In the course of exercising his passion for the Street, Omo Oloore has always been seen pouring all resources at his disposal on bringing the dividend of governance closer to the people. This is evident in his recent street-friendly activities of sponsoring a significant number of Osun jambites for their exams with a promise of scholarship for outstanding students and also influencing the Community Service Responsibility, CSR, of the Nigerian Port Authority to the Osun on two different occasions. These are in less than six months of assumption into the office. 

Building on his inherited philanthropism and taking advantage of his youthfulness, he has spiced the game up with youth engagements. His osogbo residence has practically become an abode for youths across the space of Osun to unite, interact and feel welcomed by someone up the ladder. In the same vein, the monthly prayer that has become a tradition at his residence repels the regular trend of mere show off. Just as a new age replica of his father's ambience. His reflexive show of genuine respect and appreciation to all attendees explains the undiscriminating high esteem to which he holds everyone around him. His inoculation of these mass-friendly acts against all political tides points at his rooted understanding of their importance to divine mercy. It would be so easy to say it's for political exchange until the reality that he has never been on any ballot dawns. 𝑴𝒊𝒏𝒅 𝒚𝒐𝒖, 𝒏𝒐 𝒍𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒍 𝒐𝒇 𝒂𝒎𝒃𝒊𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒄𝒂𝒏 𝒇𝒐𝒓𝒄𝒆 𝒂 𝒕𝒐𝒓𝒕𝒐𝒊𝒔𝒆 𝒕𝒐 𝒓𝒖𝒏 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒏𝒐 𝒍𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒍 𝒐𝒇 𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒑𝒍𝒂𝒄𝒆𝒏𝒄𝒚 𝒄𝒂𝒏 𝒇𝒐𝒓𝒄𝒆 𝒂 𝒄𝒉𝒆𝒆𝒕𝒂𝒉 𝒕𝒐 𝒄𝒓𝒂𝒘𝒍, 𝒊𝒇 𝒊𝒕'𝒔 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒆, 𝒊𝒕'𝒔 𝒋𝒖𝒔𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒆. 

As he celebrates his birthday today, I pray that for being a beam of hope and joy for the Street, may Allah never deny him of divine rewards promised for such pristine acts in this life and hereafter.