By Dapo Ipoola

There are times in our life that we pause and reflect on the journey of life. This reflection may dwell on what we’ve done differently, the impact made, the achievements accomplished, the lives that we’ve touched positively, and what is left to be achieved. As succinctly put, the journey of life is a non-linear, multidimensional or multilayered passage of personal growth, challenges, self-discovery rather than a straight path towards a single destination. In itself, growth happens through daily experiences, learning, and overcoming obstacles rather than just reaching a final milestone. Though the path towards this growth is always ladened with uncertainties, failure, setbacks and disappointment with unexpected turns, mistakes, twist of fate, and challenges that shape our orientation and views about life. Despite the turns and uncertainty that define life, we can’t but choose to celebrate. We show gratitude when we celebrate because the grace that saw us through some certain accomplishments is what some go to the mountains for God to bequeath them. Just as the grace of God abounds in different measures in us, so also is the intensity of our gratitude when God unusually turns to us.

In all of this, one personality stands out in growth, impact, unusual God’s grace, experience, brilliance, and magnanimity. And that is in person of Hon. Akintunde Oyebode, the Ekiti State Commissioner of Finance, who also doubles as the Chairman, Forum of Finance Commissioners of Nigeria. Before his foray into politics, he was a Research Assistant at the prestigious Lagos Business School. As a seasoned Economist, Akin Oyebode has distinguished himself at every opportunity of service. While he was in the banking sector, he left an indestructible imprint that still resonates and speaks volumes till today. As the pioneer Executive Secretary of the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund, where he skillfully upscaled employment opportunities and for thousands of job seekers and business owners. This initiative led to a drastic reduction in the number of unemployment in Lagos State, therefore leading to the reduction in crime rate. In tapping into his pool of experience, he was appointed as the Special Adviser to the Governor of Ekiti on Investment, Trade and Innovations; and Director-General of the Ekiti State Development and Investment Promotion Agency, which later attracted investment of over $2 billion. While in this capacity, the State witnessed giant and transformative development that brought about sundry opportunities, both soft and hard skills for the youth.

Oyebode’s foremost insignia is excellence and midas touch. In a recent event marking the 30th anniversary of the creation of Ekiti State, he said that, “the state’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) rose from about N8 billion in 2020 to more than N50 billion annually in 2025. The IGR buoyancy he attributed the increase to efforts by the state government to diversify the economy and expand its revenue base. He said the state’s dependence on agriculture had declined from about 80 per cent in 2005 to 40 per cent in 2017, reflecting the gradual diversification of the economy. According to him, the increase in IGR had enabled the state government to finance its monthly salary bill from internally generated revenue. He said the government’s next objective was to increase the revenue base sufficiently to cover the state’s entire recurrent expenditure. He noted that achieving the target would free federal allocations received through the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) for investment in capital projects and other developmental programmes.”

The impressive progression in revenue generation is one of the gauges of ingenuity, and that cannot be separated from the administrative and economic dexterity of those who manage the State’s fiscal administration. Oyebode as an economic wizard has distinguished himself in such a way that his cognate experiences over the years transcend managing a micro economy. His role as the Chairman, Forum of Finance Commissioners of Nigeria has helped placed the State on a recognizable pedestal with some silent achievements that cannot be regaled on the pages of newspapers. He is a silent achiever who detest blowing self trumpet for cheap recognition. He’ll rather allow his accomplishments and good deeds to do the announcement. When he gives, he does that silently and without noise, and that stands him out. Therefore, on the occasion of your birthday, the Commissioner of Commissioners, we celebrate many of your outstanding achievements, leadership, humility, simplicity, selflessness, kindness, love, growth, and the helping hands in which you have graciously extended to others.

Going by the measures of your good deeds, it is indeed true that “in the end, it’s not the years in your life that count. It’s the life in your years.” At every birthday of yours, you’ve proven that the quality, depth, and purpose of how we live matter much more than the mere length or number of years we survive and that long life is not automatically a good or fulfilling one; what truly counts is what we do with the time we have. As an exceptional achiever, you’ve moved past passive existence and focused on active experiences, love, personal growth, positive impact, and imbued hope in others. And in the end, you will be remembered not for how old you lived or the position attained, but for the joy, kindness, and hope that you radiate. On the auspicious occasion of your birthday, it’s my prayer that lines keep falling in pleasant places for you, and this birthday of yours shall usher in memorable moments to relish.

Ipoola, a media consultant, lives in Abuja.