Tegbe: A Heart of Service
“Life’s most persistent and urgent question is: What are you doing for others?”
- Martin Luther King
The ‘Music House’ edifice of Fresh 105.9 FM founded by the popular music maestro; Otunba (Dr) Yinka Ayefele was in the national news in August 2018 when the Sen Abiola Ajimobi led Oyo State government decided to demolish a sizeable portion of the building, citing the violation of certain building plan/permit by the owners. One man that not only intervened but went ahead to initiate a successful dialogue between the parties involved (which saw the Oyo State government, rebuilding the demolished portion), was Mogaji Joseph Olasunkanmi Tegbe. Though achieved with little or no noise back then, it was to be a sign of the entry of a distinct force on the political scene in Oyo State. A man with an unusual heart of service for the people, especially the downtrodden.
In April, 2022, Mogaji Joseph Olasunkanmi Tegbe officially confirmed his defection from the All Progressives Congress, APC, to the People’s Democratic Party, PDP in Oyo state. He later went on to win the ticket of the PDP to contest the Oyo South Senatorial seat in the forthcoming 2023 general elections.
It is pertinent to note that since his official declaration, no week has passed without the media reporting mass movement of party faithfuls from APC into PDP across Oyo State. The defection floodgates flung open so much that notable Oyo APC chieftains have had to openly plead with Mogaji Tegbe to stop depleting their party. This lays credence to the obvious fact that the clout of the good hearted Mogaji Joseph Tegbe, keeps drawing more and more key figures from the opposition APC to the PDP where he is now a chieftain and Senatorial candidate.
Monday, August 1, 2022 was declared a public holiday by the Seyi Makinde led government of Oyo State, this was to commemorate Hijrah 1444, the New Year on the Islamic Calendar. Few days later, this was then followed with a beautifully organised 1444/2022 Hijrah Luncheon, held within the precincts of the Oyo State Government House, Agodi, Ibadan. During the luncheon which was attended by the ‘Who is Who’ in government and leadership of the Muslim community, a soul searching and inspiring lecture was delivered by a popular Islamic Cleric and former Chairman; Oyo State Pilgrims welfare Board (Muslim wing); Sheikh Taofeek Akewugbagold.
In his lecture, the revered Islamic cleric boldly identified Mogaji Joseph Olasunkanmi Tegbe as the precursor to him now pitching his tent with Governor Seyi Makinde despite several previous advances were made towards him by other notable Muslim leaders in the State. In his words, he eulogised Mogaji Tegbe for his countless unsolicited support towards him and others while capping it with the profound statement that he also became a GSMist on the day Mogaji Olasunkanmi Tegbe clinched the Oyo South Senatorial ticket of the PDP. Suffice to say that wherever Tegbe goes, there goes Sheikh Taofeek Akewugbagold and his followers.
In conclusion, it is worthy of note to mention Tegbe Foundation, an initiative of Mogaji Joseph Olasunkanmi Tegbe, which supports various not for profit and community development initiatives across the country. The foundation empowers thousands across the length and breadth of Oyo State to wit; numerous award of Scholarships, empowerment of widows and physically challenged persons, regular financial and material support for Corporate and Professional associations and unions etc. Oyo South Senatorial constituency will be hugely blessed to have a man with a heart of service such as Mogaji Olasunkanmi Tegbe when he is voted massively and elected in the 2023 Senate elections.