Says he plays football at 70

By Aderonke Adeyeri

Otunba Albertson Babatunde Osokoya, born in 1945, served virtually in every segment of the Ogun State Civil Service, became a Permanent Secretary at the age of 35 and Secretary to the State Government at 49. In this interview, the septuagenarian who still plays local football says the bane of Nigeria’s challenges is absence of love.

How did you receive the news of the postponement of the general elections?

Postponing election at this time shows our lack of trust and being suspicious of one another. Every word from each political party carries different interpretation to the other parties and has formed their various campaign strategies and methods which, to some extent, can be responsible for the postponement. Some political parties believe it is the best time to gather more supporters and destabilize their opponents. INEC, on its part, says the election has to be postponed because of the insecurity in the country, but if our present situation is good for campaigning, then our present situation is good enough to conduct a free and fair election.

Again, the postponement does not guarantee that every Nigerian will get his or her PVC. Although I know that the Chairman of INEC is at his best to ensure a free and fair election in the country, there are many factors to be considered and until we begin to reason in that direction, we may just be wasting time. We have never had an election whereby 70% of registered voters went to the polling booths to exercise their civic right.

Many people thought the date earlier fixed for the election (February 14) would have hampered Valentine’s celebration across the country. Do you share that perspective?

Otunba Osokoya

The election would have affected the much celebrated Valentine’s Day, no doubt. Many Nigerians would have been scared of the aftermath of the election such that they will not want to leave their homes. The election would have hindered the annual celebration. But suffice to say that what we are experiencing in the country is the opposite of love.

At 70, would you say you are fulfilled?

Attaining age 70 is a fulfillment on its own. It is one level every individual aspires to reach especially now that there are many terminal diseases around and other challenges of life. I am fulfilled in every ramification of life. Professionally, I attained the position of a Permanent Secretary at the tender age of 35; I became the Secretary to the State Government when I was 49. I retired from Civil Service much earlier than the expected age as the Chairman of Ogun State Civil Service Commission. I have a big, happy family with grand children; living a disciplined life and engaging myself in sports also gives me an added advantage. I go to the field to watch football and I play football too, but not as often as before. I was the Chairman of Ogun State Football Association for many years. I still walk around almost every morning for 20 minutes.

What was the driving force for those achievements at your early age?

With God, discipline and focus, it is achievable. So, many people didn’t believe in me. They were considering my age and not what I had up my sleeve. It got to a point that an older Permanent Secretary told me to always consult him before approving or doing anything in my office. Also, it was a time I was just raising my family but my wife was very supportive and understanding.

I happened to be the only child of my mother. She devoted her life to seeing to my welfare unlike many women who will pamper an only child to a fault. I graduated with a second class upper in history at the age of 22 which looks almost impossible as at 1967. I was the best graduating student in my school, so I got a scholarship for my post-graduate studies. But during my final year as an undergraduate, I had written many application letters to both private and governmental organizations.

I was later invited for an interview in the civil service and I was among the few that were employed. I joined the Western Nigeria Civil Service before I was deployed to Ogun State when the state was created in 1976. Many of my friends at the university were on my throat to come for my doctorate degree but something just kept me to my new job.

On many occasions, I slept with my colleagues at the post-graduate hall of University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University). Along the line, I was sent to study public administration and I also emerged the best student. Three years later, I was again sent on a master’s programme in public administration by government. And that was how I got stuck in the Civil Service. Early education, commitment, prompt promotion and good luck made me Permanent Secretary, not favoritism from any one.

With all these achievements, what were your regrets in life?

No regrets at all. My case was just God directing my path. I am happy and fulfilled to have been a civil and public servant all my life. I consider it a means to serve my country and become relevant to humanity.