By Issa Mutolib Ayobami
The name Opal is derived from the “Sanskrit upala” which means “precious stone”, it also has a Greek derivative “Opallios” which means “Seeing a change of colour”. An Opal is a delicate stone with fine but vibrant energies, it is an absorbent and reflective stone, it is also believed to have special powers which encourages inner growth.
The reflective nature of the “Opal” is one of the qualities that the soft-spoken financial expert named Hakeem Oladimeji Lawal possess. He reflects his calm mien, patient nature, shrewdness, intellectual sagacity, and his problem solving skills to everyone that comes across his person and those who seeks to genuinely learn – mentees.
If I am to describe him based on my personal contact with him, I would say he is one person that is well focused and knows exactly where he is headed, just like the saggitiform leaf. He believes in human capital development, self-leadership, and networking, he is also one (1) of the few elites who I can describe as morally upright – something that still keeps me in awe.
He has a strong psyche, high emotional intelligence, a creative mind, quite hospitable personality, charismatic in a special way, always optimistic, he is an exceptionally gifted problem solver, a cheerful giver, peace loving, and a man that places premium on family ties as top priority.
With the time I’ve spent with him, he has been able to awaken my consciousness, inspire and boost my creativity, strengthened my motivation to succeed, and I’ve been more focused on turning my flaws, weaknesses and imperfections into strengths for the battles ahead that the future would present.
Hakeem Oladimeji Lawal isn’t your everyday politician – desperadoes, he believes so much in destiny and God’s plan, the fact that time conquers all is in line with his believe, he is one that also believes that debates and exchanges is good for building a consensus, hence, he is quite engaging and allows people like me to air views and opinions, he’s very much open to learning no matter where it’s coming from.
I could vividly recall one (1) of our engagements, when I queried him about a matter I would like to keep private, this was his exact words: “Why worry about what no one has control over but Allah? I take everything that happens as the ultimate wish of Allah, for I know HE is the master planner, No matter how much we worry or plan, HIS wish shall always prevail. I’ve watched him closely overtime, and I can categorically say that he matches his words with corresponding actions.
Needless do I need to talk about his philanthropic nature, immediately after the elections, he initiated a water intervention project in the Ilorin metropolis, which resulted in the drilling of boreholes and provision of water pumps and tanks in various locations within the metropolis, he has adopted a philanthropy style similar to that of Indonesian tycoon and billionaire, Ang Tjoen Ming (commonly known as Tahir), you wouldn’t be out of place if you call him a “Silent Philanthropist”.
On this occasion of his 45th birthday, I join all well wishers the world over to wish him the very best that life offer, in good health and wellness, great wealth and affluence, utmost joy and happiness, and it is my wish that he achieves all his innermost earthly desires.
Happy birthday to a mentor and role model, long may we continually exist together, all I would say is that continue being the good man that you’ve always been, and begin to strive to do much more to become better…
Issa Mutolib Ayobami, popularly known as Megabyte is an Alumni of the Accra Business School (ABS), he writes from Ilorin, the Kwara State capital.
Mail: iammegabyte@gmail.com