Not for politics. Not for policy. But for a promised handshake that never happened.
In 2002/2003, a young engineer arrived on the Ogun political scene, and everybody was buzzing. I didn’t understand politics then, but I understood energy. This man had it. Fresh. Confident. Well dressed. Sharp smile. In today’s language, he came with AURA. And when his beautiful wife stepped out beside him? Awon Ara Adugbo could not stop talking.
They said he was running for Governor. They said he would beat the incumbent. They said Ogun State was about to change.
I was just a teenager, but somehow, this man raised the bar for what I believed one human being could represent to another. I admired his posters, his pictures, his confidence, his presence. I wanted him to win.
He did.
Otunba Gbenga Daniel became Governor of Ogun State at a defining moment of my life. Around that same time, I lost my father. And somehow, without knowing it, he stepped in.
Through his government’s educational programmes, my school fees were paid. Relief came to my mother. Hope returned to our home.
Then came the promise that sealed my young heart: “If you do well at JETS, you’ll have a special reception with the Governor and the First Lady.”
“I wanted to meet the man who gave me hope when I needed it most. I wanted to see, touch, and say thank you.”
What??? I will meet Mr. AURA himself? And Yeye Olufunke Daniel? We die there!
I won National JETS.
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I’m still waiting….
No reception. No handshake. No moment.
We were told he would meet us on Children’s Day in 2005. He was busy.
I cried that day.
Not because of politics. Not because of entitlement. But because I wanted to meet the man who gave me hope when I needed it most. I wanted to see, touch, and say thank you to the person who made me believe that possibility was real.
Years later, life played its jokes.
As President of the UNILAG Engineering Society, after a 5-year ban, I resumed office and met over ₦1 million sitting in a frozen account. I was excited.
When I checked the records, the donation was from an alumnus and former faculty exco member.
Mr. AURA.
Years later again, my wife walked into a fashion store in Ikeja with my son. A woman admired her, shook my son’s hand, gave him sweets. When I arrived to pick them up, I asked, “Who was that?”
My wife replied, “She just left.”
It was Yeye Olufunke Daniel.
She was on her way out of her store when she noticed my wife and son.
So now they have met Yeye. And Mr. Aura is still owing me my handshake and reception.
“He is the Ogun State I know and appreciate. A state that invested in a young boy. A state that made him believe.”
Despite all this makeup, I haven’t forgiven him.
Because he owes me one final thing.
But as we celebrate Ogun State at 50, I must say this:
Mr. Aura is the Ogun State I know and appreciate. A state that invested in a young boy. A state that made him believe. A state that quietly shaped his future.
If I can do for even one child what Ogun State did for me, then I would have paid it forward properly.
This is the reason behind ADÉWÁLÉ Student Conference and Scholarship program.
Mr. AURA… Thanks for your leadership and for inspiring a generation.
I’m still available for my handshake.
Happy 50th Anniversary, Ogun State.
(A Young Engineer’s Gratitude for the Handshake That Never Came)
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Seunmanuel Faleye is a brand and communications strategist. He is a covert writer and an overt creative head. He publishes Apple’s Bite International Magazine.
