“The desire to be a celebrity is worthless. The desire to be of service is valuable.” — Levon Peter Poe
Many who have “interacted” with Honourable Abayomi Fagbenro-Bibire will agree that the quote by Levon Peter Poe above remains the driving force behind Hon. Bibire’s commendable humanitarian efforts to improve the lives of people from all backgrounds, regardless of race, religion, or any other distinguishing factor.
Those who refer to him as “SOLUTION” are not wrong. Reason is, Abayomi Fagbenro-Bibire is reshaping politics, changing narratives, and educating people on the true meaning of service through his actions and deeds. Although, he holds no political office, fact is that the people— especially at the grassroots— have felt his “presence” more than those who are in power. Little wonder, some people mistake him as a Federal Lawmaker.
To state as a fact, the name BIBIRE has transcended mere recognition within the federal constituency to become synonymous with aid and support throughout Oyo State. It is not merely a name; it wears the essence of a helping hand that people turn to in times of dire need, for assistance in noble endeavors.
Indeed, recounting all the pro-people initiatives done by Honourable Abayomi Fagbenro-Bibire as a non-political office holder would be exhaustive. However, for record’s sake, it is important to note a few.
Honourable Abayomi Fagbenro-Bibire is a firm advocate of empowerment. Memory will fail one in this regard to keep track of the numerous people and businesses he has empowered, despite not holding any political office.
It is on record that those who were let go from their jobs reached out to him for help. He inquired about their skills, and upon learning, assured them that those skills would sustain them. He equipped them with the necessary materials to launch their own businesses, and now, they are thriving in their respective fields.
Apart from his commitment to empowerment, he deeply values education as a catalyst for societal development and poverty eradication.
Graduates and undergraduates, too numerous to mention, have had their JAMB forms sponsored by Honourable Abayomi Fagbenro-Bibire. Yet, JAMB sponsorship is just one facet; countless children have their school fees covered by this outstanding philanthropist. If he were to share the extent of educational expenses he covers, one would be left speechless for some moments. And the fact is that he persists in this noble endeavour with no retreat despite not holding a political position.
Continuing his commitment to education, he recently sponsored an essay competition organized by the Faculty of Education Legislative Council of the University of Ibadan, contributing a generous sum of one hundred thousand naira to recognize and award academic excellence.
Let us shift focus from education to health, as the list of Honourable Abayomi Fagbenro-Bibire’s contributions to education development for children, teens, and young adults seems endless.
Honourable Abayomi Fagbenro-Bibire has demonstrated a commitment to promoting healthy living. He has spearheaded numerous medical initiatives aimed at enhancing the well-being of the populace. Testimonials from beneficiaries of these programs speak to their efficacy, supplemented by his personal support in covering hospital expenses for those in need.
Adding weight to his humanitarian efforts, should we delve into the annual Xmas funfair he has diligently conducted for more than four years, aimed at bringing joy to children’s faces? Should we also mention his monthly Facebook giveaway initiative, tailored to offer assistance to those in need of various forms of relief? Also, should we also talk about the Food Drive he conducted amidst the challenging economic circumstances stemming from fuel subsidy removal and escalating dollar rates?
In areas lacking access to water, he installed boreholes, extending a lifeline to these communities. With an open-door policy that surpassed expectations, he provided assistance to the needy, earning widespread admiration of all. It is therefore no surprise that numerous organizations now seek his sponsorship for worthy events and programs aimed at benefiting the populace.
A few weeks ago, the founder of an orphanage identified an issue and sought assistance from Honourable Abayomi Fagbenro-Bibire for a solution. The woman observed that some security personnel stationed at the entrance of the University College Hospital, Ibadan, diligently carried out their duties under the blazing sun without any cover. She turned to Honourable Abayomi Fagbenro-Bibire for assistance. And without hesitation, driven by his total commitment to the welfare of the people, this compassionate philanthropist promptly offered aid, ensuring the problem was addressed.
In fact, only last week, the National Association of Nigerian Students in Abuja acknowledged his commendable humanitarian efforts. According to NANS at the National level, Honourable Abayomi Fagbenro-Bibire is a foremost leader and leading philanthropist deserving of praise for his ongoing contributions to the society and the people.
It should be reiterated that his commendable deeds are too numerous to list, and time constraints would prevent one from even beginning to recount the selfless and compassionate actions undertaken by this exceptional humanitarian.
However, a crucial fact must be established: he does all these things without holding any political office. Furthermore, beneficiaries of his altruism extend far beyond his federal constituency; they span across Oyo State and Nigeria as a whole. Hence, this dispels rumours circulating in some quarters that his actions are solely driven by his ambition to run for the House of Representatives in 2027.
While the discerning ones already recognize that these commendable humanitarian efforts are not driven by political motives, it is important to note that without holding a political position, his capacity and ability to do more than this will be limited.
Let’s reminisce for a moment. Bibire once shared his motivation when questioned about his candidacy for the House of Representatives in 2023. His succinct reply was:
“I am in this race because I view the position as an opportunity to expand upon my contributions to society and the people, and also as a means to facilitate positive developments. Wanting to do something is one thing; having the power to do it is another.”
He couldn’t bring his ambition to fruition in 2023 because he’s a loyal party man who prioritizes the unity of the party over his personal ambition. He stepped down for Hon. Odidi-omo, sacrificing his own ambition for the success and greater good of the party. His contributions to the party before, during, and after the 2023 elections are evident to all and need no further elaboration.
So, it is evident that Bibire is only in politics for pro-people activities, and that, his pursuit of the House of Representatives seat in 2027 stems from a desire to expand his impact beyond his current endeavours.
Therefore, it needs no reiteration that this is the ideal candidate the party and relevant stakeholders should support, as he has unequivocally demonstrated his suitability for the position. His track record doesn’t only speak volumes, but also indicates his ability to deliver the dividends of democracy and provide qualitative and effective representation to the residents of Ibadan Southwest and Northwest Federal Constituency, as well as to the broader populace of Oyo State.
There is a belief that one’s actions on ordinary days reveal their true character. Honourable Abayomi Fagbenro-Bibire’s past actions provide clear evidence of his intentions— he is pursuing the House of Representatives seat in 2027 not for personal aggrandizement, but to further his commitment to serving humanity on a larger scale. His focus remains on true service rather than seeking fame or celebrity status, which he already possesses.
