The likes of Dr Kayode Fayemi are rare gem to see in a messier political environment. Some men do not make efforts, some do, while others make extra efforts. For this distinguished fellow, giving up was not in his lexicon, haven lost the seat of power to governor Fayose, Dr Kayode pressed on to ensure he was not relegated to play the second fiddle.
It is not surprising that PMB chose to reciprocate the good roles Dr Kayode played to ensure his enthronement in Aso Rock. Haven been appointed as the minister of Mines and steel development, he has chosen to make a lasting impacts by doing something different from the status quo. His efforts in harnessing the ideas bestowed on him by GOD can be seen in the re-vitalization and resuscitation of the sector he superintends. In his frantic efforts to revamp the mining sector, he maintained that it was not a walk over since assumption of duty.
Though his backgrounds in history, international Relations and Politics does not align with his job, howbeit; he has managed to utilize his natural savviness to create jobs in the sector, generate revenue for the federal government, make Nigeria to gain the recognition of the largest mining gathering in Africa, made Nigeria to be amongst the top 10 mining investment domain in Africa.
In tackling the challenges in his ministry, the historian disclose that his team did a holistic diagnosis of the pressing issues like poor funding, poor infrastructures, institutional weaknesses, poor motivation for staff amongst others, and presented same challenges to the president for his intervention.
On the Landmark achievements made in his ministry, the minister declared that no achievements can be mentioned without challenges. Thus; his team confronted all the problems rocking them in the face and has garner some aids from strategic partners, significant among others are the financial support from the World Bank, the partnership with the Bank of Industry (BOI) in raising 5 billion Naira for small scale and minor players in the mining sector, as well as the surveillance task force involving all security agencies to stem the menace of illegal mining in the country in line with the Federal Government Economic Recovery Growth Plan (ERGP).
Still on his stewardship and accountability of his portfolio, the honourable minister said the mining sector needs more professionals and technocrates to improve the technical base of the sector haven had an up-to-date working tools as well as Integrated Automated Portal (IAP) and innovations; all these are tailored to facilitate the ease of doing business in this sector of the economy. On his prospect, he assert that he would leave a legacy that would go beyond the exportation of raw materials, but that Nigeria will become a cynosure of sublime in mining sector.
In his Political career, he maintained that the people of Ekiti state has benefited from his administration both as a erstwhile governor and as a minister of the Federal Republic; though he expressed regrets over the present government’s inability to sustain and consolidate on some of the strides his administration started.
In his social life, the minister expressed joy in interacting with people both on facebook and twitter, but not without caution, that the social media platforms has its’ good, bad and ugly. On his passion as a politician, this rare gem loves to see the inequality gap between the ‘Haves and the Have -not bridged, besides his burning quest for social justice. He also yearns to balance the work and family life to ensure that none is relegated nor given Less priority.
In retrospection and reminisce of the pass, the minister said he had wished to be a Catholic priest, howbeit; GOD has made him a political priest serving GOD and humanity through his portfolio as a minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. On his parting words, he admonish young politicians to engage more in traditional (grassroots) politics as against the digital/online campaigns. Service and service alone to Nigerians remains his watchword, urged new breeds in politics to lean on old reputable politicos for mentoring and tutoring while they prepare to face the unexpected contingencies head-on because the tasks ahead is tasking; he asseverated.
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