Like the torrential rains at the peak of the rainy season, encomiums are still coming in for Senator Mohammed Kola Balogun (MKB), after his exit from the ninth Senate of the National Assembly.
What is playing out in the life of the immediate past senator representing Oyo South Senatorial District runs contrary to the famous declaration by Mark Anthony: “The evil that men do lives after them; The good is oft interred with their bones.” (In Williams Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar).
Anthony simply meant that noble acts often go uncelebrated or, even when noticed, such acts wane in people’s remembrances and often so soon they die with the good men. Conversely, those who committed dreadful and sinful deeds against their fellow men and humanity easily have their inhuman acts recalled for them.
The assertion, however, may not apply to Senator Balogun as people have not stop testifying to his impactful acts, touching the lives of numerous people in his eventful years of legislative business.
It is often said that a public office holder can only truly know his true friends after leaving his/her exalted position.
This is reflective in the life of the Ibadan, Oyo State-born unassuming politician who is still enjoying encomiums and adulations from family, friends and associates, after his service as a federal lawmaker between 2019 and 2023.
Senator Kola Balogun has finished his work as a member of the ninth Senate with the formal inauguration, on Tuesday, of the members of the 10th National Assembly. But the encomiums have not stopped.
It is, again, worth noting that MKB really distinguished himself as a senator. While his colleagues are still attesting to his brilliance; his constituents have not stopped bearing witnesses to his various activities.
Distinguished in comportment, utterances and actions, Senator Kola Balogun has some gifts embedded in him: He is friendly and warm; good with details; creative; communicates easily and is always calm. Above all, though always busy, he is very accessible.
The above factors and many more may be accountable for the unending good wishes and messages of appreciation his people have being heaping on MKB since he took a bow from the Red Chamber of the National Assembly.
MKB is still being showered with encomiums, prayers, praises and adulations by family members, friends, associates and constituents:
Dr. Babatunde Agbi
“Congratulations sir. Not how long but how well. You left a legacy of performance and effective representation. Best wishes.”
Colonel Nike Akerele (rtd) (an Ibadan icon)
“E ku isokale ayo o.
Greater heights in Jesus Name.
Omo Balogun dodo n dawa. Omo otoro obe, tore abe.”
Dare Adeleke (Chairman, Oyo Pacesetters Transport Company)
“Congratulations sir. You gave us superlative representation. You are still the best among your equals. Always proud of you sir.”
One of Senator Kola Balogun’s sisters-in-law)
“Congratulations on a job well done. May God continue to lift you up.”
Dr. Hamzat (institute of Agricultural Research and Training, IAR&T, Moore Plantation, Apata, Ibadan)
“Permit me to join others to welcome you back home.
“You have done extremely well, especially in agriculture which is a familiar terrain for me. Your partnership on agricultural empowerment with IAR&T has actually gone along way in reducing unemployment among Oyo State youths and women and has put food on some people’s tables.
“A lot of them have been gainfully employed and even employers of labour through the capacity building and empowerment scheme. Well done sir.”
Asiwaju Nurudeen Akinade (Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes, CCII)
“Dear Distinguished Senator, you have proven it several times that you are worthy son of Ibadanland.
“Your impeccable successes at the ninth Senate remains a major landmark, we will continue to remember for a long time to come. You have indeed made us proud.
“Congratulations Sir.”
APC Local Government Area Party Chairmen, Oyo South Senatorial District
“On behalf of all chairmen in your senatorial district, we write to heartily congratulate you at the end of your tenure which was highly glorious.
“You started well and you ended it well to the glory of the Almighty. We are, indeed, indebted to you for all your unalloyed supports to all the down-trodden in our senatorial district.
“We will never forget all the succour you brought to many homes. You have raised a lot of people’s hope and morale in the course of serving your people. You have put smiles into the faces of many.
“Today, we are rejoicing with you as our HERO in the senatorial district.
“Our simple prayer is that, may the almighty, continue to keep you and your family for us, no evil will befall you. Disaster and affliction will be far from you. Amen.
“Once again sir, we congratulate you.”
Prince Gbade Lana
“Congratulations on the successful and eventful completion of your tenure as our Distinguished Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, representing Oyo South Senatorial District.
“We are proud of your achievements and your invaluable contribution to the economic and social uplifting of your constituents.
“On behalf of the leaders and members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ibadan North-East Local Government Area, we wish you greater success in your future national assignments.”
Mr. Adeduntan (a retired PS in Oyo State Civil Service)
“On behalf of the members of your team, l like to congratulate you on the successful end of your tenure at the ninth Senate.
“There is no doubt that you have proved your mettle as a distinguished senator that you are, a first timer for that matter.
“ln a more civilised clime, you ought to continue and become seasoned in that Assembly, bringing more gains to Oyo State. However, I am convinced that you are not done yet on your exploit at the political landscape of Nigeria.
“God shall continue to grant you knowledge, wisdom, understanding, and good health as you hope for another opportunity to serve the good people of Oyo State and Nigeria as a whole.
“Once again congratulations and best wishes at all times.”
Justice Diran Akintola
“Welcome back my dear brother! You went, you saw, you gave a good account of yourself and returned triumphantly! Glory be to God on high, Distinguished Senator.”
Mrs Yemisi Olapade (a cousin)
“My dearest best Senator Brother out of them all, I am always proud of you, anywhere, anytime any day of my life.
“You didn’t let me beg for food after my retirement from Service. You made me to be a big farmer from the empowerment you gave me thrice.
“What a big chance given to me from the empowerment you gave to most of us from your grass root Aliiwo and monthly money given to widows of your father’s fathers!!!
“I thank God for your life. You started the journey to ninth Senate well and ended it well without blemish. Olorun ose ooooo.
“I am sure great appointment is waiting for you from the President Bola Tinubu administration that will turn Aliiwo to small London. Amen.
“Our Baba Olubadan of Ibadanland wil have good health and long life to eat out of it. Amen.
“Once again, congratulations sir.”
Mrs Princess Funmi Osinowo (Olubadan’s first contribution to humanity)
“Dad, thanks for all you have done and for serving Nigeria and, more importantly, the people of Ibadan in your capacity as a senator.
“I will continue to thank God for your life and I pray that He will open many doors of favour and blessings for you. This was just the beginning of greater things for you.
“Love you.”
Otunba Remi Olorunsogo, CEO Resogo Water Factory, Ibadan)
“Congratulations brother. I thank God for your life. You started well and you ended the four years well.
“During the four years, despite all the storm, God sail you through. I pray for best of luck wherever your next assignment will take you to in the nearest future.”
Prince Adio Bello (an older cousin)
“We are honoured to have Senator Kola Balogun as the family “Ambassador” at home and in the central government.
“He made a long record of public service and is one of the most respected senators in the country with outstanding reputation and exceptional experience.
“I know of his impeccable reputation internationally and he is well known for his success, representing home, his senatorial district and the great Nigeria as a whole.
“His outstanding reputation and exceptional experience will be invaluable to our family, lbadanland and Nigeria in general.
“Kola mi, you are welcome.”
Pastor David Akindele
“Senator Kola Balogun, glory be to God for a job well-done. Greater heights and better opportunities in Jesus name. Amen.
“Your senatorial administration will forever be remembered for good. Amen.”
Engineer Kolapo Adisa (a retired PS in Oyo State Civil Service)
“We thank God for His guidance on our Distinguished Senator to excellence in the performance of his duties at the ninth National Assembly, despite being a first comer and initial judicial distractions.
“May Allah continue to guide and bless him to remain relevant so as to continue his contributions to good governance of the nation.”
Rotimi Johnson, Ojasope
“My Darling Senator, congratulations on your successful completion of a term of four years at the Red Chamber. I am very proud of your achievements as senator for Oyo South District, Sir.”
“My Distinguished Senator, Congratulations! Thanks to Allah Tahalah that see you through with many achievements to be proud of. May Allah uplift you to higher level. Warafanahu Monkana Aliyah.”
What an outpouring of testimonies!!! The encomiums are still coming in. I can go and on, but for time and space.
Indeed, it will not be out of place to say the philosophy of Senator Kola Balogun aligns with Albert Einstein’s belief that “Only a life lived in the service to others is worth living.”
At every opportunity, MKB will always say being a senator is not the only means to be relevant to humanity. He believes that he can still render service to his fellow humans, even at higher pedestals.
Distinguished Senator Mohammed Kola Balogun (MKB), I join my voice with the multitude of your admirers to wish you good health and longevity of life. Sir, may God grant you the grace to continue to be relevant to humanity.
•Falade was Special Adviser (Media) to Senator Mohammed Kola Balogun.
