By Emmanuel Ajibulu
In simple words, the occasion of Alhaji Abdul Jelili Adesiyan’s birthday on August 14, 2014 presents another opportunity to reflect on the political profile of this ever-blossoming star on the political scene. This is a man whose life and politics continue to leave positive and enduring impacts with the capacity to expand the frontiers of progressivism and constitutional democracy.

Jelili Adesiyan

It is either you are for him, as symbolizing the politics of emancipation and progress, or you are against him as representing the politics of collusion and reaction. On the national scene, rather than diminish in the face of relentless persecution, and in spite of the plots of his traducers, Adesiyan has continued to rise in political prominence and thankfully above barriers and buts.

In his affable and amiable nature, he sacrificed personal gains for the collective good. For him, what was paramount was getting Nigeria back to its place of pride. The task to facilitate Nigeria’s recovery from its present social and political troubles is one that bothers him. This is the quality of a visionary, great and passionate leader. Today, by God’s grace, he is Nigeria’s Minister of Police Affairs.

For the records the challenges he faced from the hands of detractors are the typical fate of those who turn out to be their peoples’ brightest hopes. All through history, great leaders in Africa are known to have suffered persecution. The late President Nelson Mandela of South Africa (of blessed memory) lived the most part of his adult life under the shadow of political persecution and incarceration. But at the end, he became South Africa’s first post-apartheid democratic president.

Our late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, was a victim of serial persecution by elements who wanted to ruin his political career. Former President Olusegun Obasanjo suffered same fate; afterwards he emerged from imprisonment to become the first Fourth Republic president in 1999. At 59, Adesiyan should certainly be happy with himself, secure in the knowledge that today he stands at the centre of our national politics. For him, the promise of politics is the limitless possibilities it offers humanity to reinvent society on the path of progress and prosperity.

Adesiyan was born on the 14th August 1955 at Lagere, Ile Oke Agba Ode-Omu in Ayedade Local Government Area of Osun State. He completed his Primary Education at A.U.D Primary School Ode –Omu in 1968. Alhaji Adesiyan attended Ahmadiya Grammar School Iwo from 1970 – 1971, also was at Victory High School Ikeja Lagos from 1973 – 1976. He later went to Oyo State College of Education Ilesa from 1980 – 1983 where he obtained a Nigerian Certificate of Education in History and Yoruba Studies.

Subsequently he gained admission into University of Ibadan in 1985 where he obtained a B.Ed Adult Education and History in 1988. He furthered his education at the same University in 1989 where he obtained a Masters Degree in Adult and Industrial Education M.Ed in 1991 respectively.

Adesiyan is a seasoned educationist, served as Commissioner for Education in Osun State with many indelible records to his credit; he also served as Director General in the State Ministry of Commerce and Industry. He worked in several public and private sector companies; he was a teacher in Community High School Ibadan, Victory High School Ikeja. He also showcased his intellectual prowess at Guinness Nigeria Limited and Johnson White United in Lagos.

He has a long history of political activism, an active member of PDP in Osun. He was an Assistant Secretary, Alliance for Democracy (Osun State), National delegate, defunct Social Democratic Party Campaign Secretary in old Oyo State and a strong youth activist under the defunct Unity Party of Nigeria. On  March 6, 2014 Alhaji Abdul Jelili Oyewale Adesiyan was appointed Minister of Police Affairs into by President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan.