I rarely write about the person of Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji (initialed BAO) these days. Not that there is any harm if one continually rhapsodises him and the stuff he is made of, but we must tone that down, at least, for now. And, the reason is not farfetched: The Ekiti governorship election has come and gone and BAO has coasted home resoundingly to victory, so there is nothing to campaign for after the election. The era of campaigning is over and the era of facts checking is still ahead.
Whatever will be said of BAO going forward is not what he had done in the past but what his performance as a governor will be. Whether he will measure up or not is left for the future to say.
Dr. William Menninger, the famous American psychiatrist identified the six essential qualities that form the key to success: sincerity, strong personality, humility, courtesy, wisdom, charity. All these are however encapsulated in one quality: Integrity. And since the glory of the past will not make up for the future, the only valid test for the worth of BAO, going forward, is his integrity.
Integrity is not just another word; it is an important, if not the most important, quality that can describe the conduct of an individual in a position of power. Webster defines it as “the practice of being honest and showing a consistent and uncompromising adherence to strong moral and ethical principles and values.”
Acting with integrity means understanding, accepting, and choosing to live in accordance with one’s principles, which will include honesty, fairness, and decency. Being integrity-driven means the leader will not be power-drunk. Contrarily, he will consistently demonstrate good character by being free of corruption and hypocrisy.
According to John Calvin Maxwell, the American author, speaker, and pastor who has written many books, primarily focusing on leadership, power really is a test of character. In the hands of a person of integrity, it is of tremendous benefit; in the hands of a tyrant, it causes terrible destruction. Donald A. Adams added that to give real service you must add something which cannot be bought or measured with money, and that is integrity. Integrity is the seed for achievement. It is the principle that never fails, even when other virtues do.
Over the years, integrity has become a part of BAO’s body and ultimately makes him a great personality. Already, he has something to build on in the good legacy that his predecessor, Dr. John Kayode Fayemi (JKF) is leaving behind. The concern, however, is whether he has the right dose of integrity to improve on that. For those of us interested in screening our incoming governor in Ekiti, even before he mounts the saddle, here are the 19 surest awesome integrity traits to check out about BAO:
1. Humility
Biodun Oyebanji is truly humble and always live up to the standard he has set for himself. One often wonders whether he truly understands the worth within him. He does not brag and does not show off what he has, perhaps, because he is always striving to become better.
2. Goodness
Goodness is a trait known with BAO. He finds joy in enriching the lives of those around him, even if it means sacrificing happiness in his own life for a while.
3. Authenticity
There is no better identifier for BAO than authenticity. Authentic people show their true selves; they do not live under a set of lies or any masks. They stick to what they believe in, no matter what. Check this out with BAO and you will find a large dose of it.
4. Honesty.
No one can lay claim to having integrity without honesty. BAO has never considered it worthwhile to lie. Rather he takes pride in the truths that surround him. He has always known the life he wants to lead, and that life includes one filled with honesty and truthfulness, not deception.
5. BAO Is Trustworthy
A common sign of integrity is trustworthiness and you can find a large dose of it with Oyebanji. You can always rely on him to have a word as strong as stone. Oyebanji’s integrity prevents him from letting others down, from betraying and from lying, because he respects those around him and himself.
6. BAO Has Hero Instinct
The hero instinct is probably the best kept secret of the incoming governor. It is a man’s desire to protect his loved ones and feel needed. When it comes to relationships, Oyebanji will display the hero instinct 100% of the time. He makes those around him feel needed and appreciated. This has greatly boosted the confidence of those around him and increased his connection with them, making them more excited to commit to relationship with him.
- BAO Gives Credit.
When you meet BAO, you can be certain that he will never try to steal your credit or take what you made and call it his own. He understands the value of hard work and dedication and knows the importance of giving credit where and when it is due.
8. BAO Values People’s Time
So many people see no problem with being late, whether it comes to meetings or projects. That is not BAO, he sticks to deadlines, schedules, and arranged set-ups. He will never dare to waste anyone’s time. To him, being late is a form of disrespect, and only those with real integrity can see that.
9. BAO Doesn’t Argue Rudely.
Rudeness is an unfortunate part of our society. People shout at one other and call themselves different names, allowing irrational emotional reactions to define the way they interact with the world. But BAO often avoids such situation. That, however does not mean BAO would shy from disagreeing with someone if the need arises, yet he would do it civilly; he even knows when it’s better just to walk away from impossible people.
10. BAO Gives Second Chances
Often, we see someone make a mistake, and our first impulse is to blame them, get mad at them, and call them out. That is not BAO. With his high level of integrity, he resists this impulse. Rather, he knows how valuable it is to give others the benefit of the doubt.
11. BAO is Emotionally Intuitive
Most people live as if they are the only important persons in the world, not caring for the well-being of others, physical or emotional. Contrariwise, BAO cares. He has true integrity; he is more attuned with the world and those around him. He does not live in his little bubble, but allows himself to be a part of everyone else’s. Whenever he notices that someone is experiencing something troubling, he would do his best to assist him.
12. BAO Is Apologetic
Some people may not admit it, but BAO does not suffer from the inability to apologize. For some of us, it’s a matter of foolish pride taking precedence over rationality. Even though we know it would be better to apologize, we never let ourselves say those two simple words: “I’m sorry,” simply because we don’t want to lose out. But BAO does see past the vanity of losing and winning and prefers instead to create peace instead of tension.
13. Accountability
To BAO, nothing is more crucial than his word being his bond, and, as well, he uses accountability as the defining element in whether he can trust another person or not.
14. BAO Is Genuine
Nothing about BAO is dishonest, untruthful, or a white lie. He is not fake. Rather, he holds that being genuine is the best way to interact with other people and the world around him. He would rather bleed for the values and the truths that define him.
15. BAO Apologizes When He’s Gone Too Far
He hardly does, but if he does for any reason, he would apologise. You’ll see this most often in leaders who are trying to find the balance between encouraging their subordinates and pushing them to do more.
16. BAO Ensures The Team Gets The Credit
You’ll see this most often at work when you relate with BAO. He will ensure that you or anyone else get the credit you deserve. The incoming governor will give props where they are due and ensure that others know what role they had in the success of a project. BAO would not steal the thunder of others. Not only will he let the accolades roll in, he would further go out of his way to ensure those who deserve recognition get it.
17. BAO Doesn’t Name Call
You’ll come across this behavior in a bad relationship. Maybe you’ve experienced it yourself. Just know that anyone who resorts to name calling as a form of communication is not a person of integrity. You will not experience this with BAO. He has long improved on that aspect of his personality. In general, it is a safe bet to conclude that BAO would want to treat everyone with respect, even when push comes to shove, it’s impossible for him to start pointing fingers and calling people mean or rude names because they have broken his heart.
18. BAO Has Patience
People who lack integrity are more likely to take their anger and issues out on those around them. BAO knows better. He pays attention to how people treat others and that is usually a good indicator of how much integrity he has.
19. BAO Apologizes
BAO knows how precious time is and how important it is for people to show up on time – for themselves and others. There’s no need to be rude about it or frustrated when one is running late. Believe BAO when he says “I am sorry”. He means every bit of it, and that shows integrity on his part.
I will conclude the piece with the saying of Earl Nightingale, a legendary American radio speaker and author, dealing mostly with the subjects of human character development, motivation, and meaningful existence. Nightingale described integrity as “the seed for achievement…the fruit that never fails.” If indeed all of the above traits are traceable to Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji, the incoming governor of Ekiti State, and he can sustain them, then his success in the coming dispensation, and even beyond is assured. He has the firmness to face whatever challenges ahead. We must continue to expect, and pray, that the incoming governor would exhibit self-less behavior whenever we come across him during his years of governance.
So help BAO, God.
Segun Dipe Writes.