THISDAY

Bimbo Daramola: A Goal-Getter is 50

- PrinceAdey­inkaAderem­i-Adetukasi

Ahuman life that trudges on and counts 50 years by all stretch of logic and perhaps reason is deserving of clinking the glass, considerin­g the average life span in Nigeria. So, celebratin­g the life of a man, who has put smile on my face and the faces of millions of people directly or indirectly, is not negotiable, considerin­g how he has made positive impact in all spheres of life in his quest to touch lives.

I asked God of so many things while I was growing up and eventually, one of those prayers was answered the day my part crossed that of Congressma­n Abimbola Olufemi Daramola, and I am a direct product of his intensity, mentoring, support, philanthro­pic acts, large heartednes­s, and guidance.

Growing up around you is an experience that I can’t measure your impact in my life. When I finished my OND and all I wanted at a time to do was to travel out, and you woke me up one particular January 1st and said Yinka get a grip of your life! What do you want to do in this new year? Alas, I told you have decided to go back to school and that I choose the University of Ibadan and you leaped for joy as if it was about you.

From that very point you sponsored me all through school and I am a masters holder today.

You have impacted positively in my life, “Egbon Ayiye,” as I fondly call you.

You have also been nice to everyone who has crossed your path and we thank God for making you a gift to this generation and Ekiti

Words fail me to express my gratitude for a man who ruggedly wants to see everyone get ahead in life. Only God can your reward you.

As most of his admirers, friends, family, political and business associates rolled out the drums to celebrate Bimbo Daramola’s 50th birthday on

Daramola, can be described as an accomplish­ed Nigerian, who has contribute­d to the developmen­t of the country in different capacities, especially as a lawmaker. As representa­tive of the Ekiti North 1 Federal Constituen­cy in the Seventh National Assembly between 2011 and 2015, he did his best for his constituen­cy and Nigeria at large.

He has selflessly served his fatherland diligently and meritoriou­sly. As a lawmaker in the Seventh Assembly, he contribute­d immensely to robust debate on the floor of the House and used his position to touch the life of his constituen­ts.

Many of his constituen­ts benefitted immensely from his ‘Abomire’ programme, a feedback programme to his constituen­ts, where he do give out gifts and empowermen­t programme to people in his constituen­cy.

One of the days the people of his constituen­cy cannot forget is the second ‘Abomire’ programme where he gave out six cars and other gifts worth millions of naira.

Daramola is not a greenhorn in politics, especially in Ekiti State, where he has been playing active politics, contested and won an election to House of Representa­tives.

He is a committed and patriotic party man and can be regarded as one of the founding fathers and pillars of All Progressiv­es Congress (APC) in Ekiti State. He has contribute­d greatly to the party right from the days of the party as Action Congress (AC) and Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) before it merged with other parties to become APC.

When AC started, he gave the party 160,000 posters that was used to flag off the campaign of the party and in 2012, he repainted the entire national party secretaria­t.

Daramola was the director general of Kayode Fayemi campaign organisati­on during the 2014 Ekiti State governorsh­ip election. He contribute­d immensely to the party’s outing during the contest.

Even prior to the election, he was among those in forefront during the three years legal tussle of Dr. Kayode Fayemi, to reclaim his stolen mandate after the controvers­ial 2007 governorsh­ip election in the state.

Apart from being an experience­d politician in elective and appointed positions, he is also a successful entreprene­ur, who has given many people opportunit­ies to excel

Daramola has also paid his due in Ekiti State, one of the reasons he was bestowed with many chieftainc­y titles.

He has awarded numerous scholarshi­ps to deserving indigent students from his community and gave hope and succours to less privilege within and outside Ekiti State.

One of the unforgetta­ble good gestures of Daramola was cancelling a $100,000 order he made for purchase of a Range Rover in United States to raise fund for treatment of a cancer patient. That good gesture denied Daramola the opportunit­y of owing a Range Rover till date. This gesture shows Daramola as a man who can sacrifice for others comfort.

Daramola is one of the leading governorsh­ip aspirants on the platform of the APC and his desire to seek the election is to touch the lives of the people of Ekiti for them to enjoy dividends of democracy. There is no iota of doubt that considerin­g his antecedent­s and how he has touched many lives and bring comfort to people, Daramola will be a good governor if given the opportunit­y to succeed Governor Peter Ayodele in 2018.

As Daramola celebrates his 50th birthday, I am delighted to join his wellwisher­s, political followers, associates and family in celebratin­g a consummate politician, philanthro­pist and an astute businessma­n.

May you have Joy in your deepest heart desires as we celebrate this golden jubilee. Happy Birthday My Pride! Happy Golden Age My Eagle!.

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