Opinion | The Adenike Oshatimehin that I know
By: Adedamola ‘Seun
The Adenike that I know is a woman of substance with a genuine spirit of love and kindness.
The Adenike that I know is elegant, accommodating, approachable, kind-hearted and caring.
Hon (Mrs) Harriet Adenike Afolabi-Osatimehin, the Kwara State Commissioner for Youth Development is the definition of beauty plus brain. She is an intelligent, smart, classy, focused and vibrant young woman passionate about adding value to her immediate community, state and humanity at large.
First impression lasts longer is the adage that captures my first experience with the Ora born politician. I remember the first day we met during a committee meeting and following day she saw me at another event where she gave me warm ’embrace’ (hug). To me, it’s beyond the way she received me despite her position, but the respect I got from her.
Another thing that attracted me to her was the fact she is my mother’s namesake and acts like my mom.
On the occasion of her birthday, I decided to highlight ten (10) exceptional traits of Hon Adenike Afolabi-Osatimehin.
- Respectful: Adenike that I know is respectful. She accords people deserving respect irrespective of their social status. She won the heart of subordinates with mutual respect. She is not the class of Public figure that snubs or look down on people. Adenike’s mindset is that we are ALL wonderfully made by the Almighty.
- Supportive and loving: The Adenike that I know is supportive and ready to go extra mile for the growth of others. She ‘carries’ people’s matters on her head. She believes the progress of others is not a threat to her growth and development. She is loving and humane.
- Patient: The Adenike that I know understands patient is virtue! She is really patient and not faking it for the camera or because of holding political position. She is quick to say ‘don’t worry’ when people want her to react angrily. She disarms people with her lovely smiles.
- Good listener: Adenike listens with her heart and pays rapt attention to people during conversations. She is not eager to talk or respond, but carefully listens to dissect the context, concept and motive of every premise and argument. The Kwara State Commissioner of Youth Development doesn’t derive joy in ending conversations hurriedly and understands the important place of effective feedback in communication.
- Open-minded: The Adenike that I know is an open-minded person. She is open to new ideas and allows superior arguments to carry the day. She is not the ‘my idea must always win’ person. Adenike Afolabi-Osatimehin always reviews issues critically before taking action.
- Transparent: Adenike that I know is transparent and open. She deals with people by being accountable. She doesn’t use her privileged position to deprive others of their rights and privileges.
- Strategic and Critical thinker: She is proactive, responsive and responsible. She talks maturely, acts diplomatically and behaves responsibly. The Adenike that I know takes calculative steps and is not reactionary.
- Empathy: The Adenike that I know is compassionate and always shows empathy when the need arises. She feels people’s pain and takes action to the soothing heart of people in distress. Her numerous empowerment programmes are born out of the zeal to empathize and give hope to the less privileged in society.
- Attention to detail: She pays attention to every little detail and is vast in all-around research. Adenike is a thoroughbred professional and is usually careful in taking decisions after assessing strengths, weaknesses and opportunities in such action.
- Reliable: The Adenike that I know is reliable. No wonder, Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq has continue to entrust her with key ministries in the State. Hon Adenike has served in Agriculture and Communications, and the current Commissioner for Youth Development. Her friends will tell you… Adenike is reliable, She can rely on her words.
Happy Birthday to Hon Harriet Adenike Afolabi-Osatimehin. I wish her more glorious, prosperous, and fulfilling years in service to humanity and nation-building.
The views expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect The Informant247’s editorial stance.
