By nature, Femi Babalola, popularly known as Jogor, is a cool and collected personality, but his intimidating achievements in different spheres of life have eroded his privacy so much so that he is now a household name in Oyo State, particularly in Ibadan, the state captal, where he is based.
It is, therefore, not an understatement to say this owner of one of the most popular event centres in Ibadan, Jogor Centre, ranks among the illustrious sons of the state.
Aside from his flourishing business concerns, Babalola, who is also the chairman of Pentagon Engineering, engages in partisan politics. He aspired to become the governor of Oyo, his home state, under the umbrella of the Peoples Democratic Party in the 2015 general elections, but that dream was not realised.
One cannot but wonder why this professed devoted Christian still dabbles in politics considered by many in the society as a dirty game.
Babalola says religion should not be a barrier for the society’s best brains to offer to serve the people.
“Yes, I am. I am religious. I was born into a Christian home and I have always been a Christian all my life and I am lucky I married a Christian lady that has been whipping me in line. She makes sure that I do not derail. I have always believed that any good society that needs to make progress needs its best brains. Whether you are Christians, Muslims or whichever faith you belong to, I have always believed that as long as you are able to gather the best brains together, that is what we need and that is what Nigeria requires to attain a very great height, irrespective of the religion you practise,” he says.
When people ask me that question, I always answer them in a simple way that it cannot be as bad as it is in business, because backstabbing is in the business world, too. Backstabbing occurs among friends
But with the usual backstabbing and shenanigans synonymous with politics, how has he, being a devoted Christian, been able to cope? Has he ever been compelled by circumstances to take political decisions that compromised or negated his religious belief?
Babalola says, “When people ask me that question, I always answer them in a simple way that it cannot be as bad as it is in business, because backstabbing is in the business world, too. Backstabbing occurs among friends. So, I see backstabbing in politics as one of the unfortunate sides of politics, too, just as it is also an unfortunate side of business, as well.
“I have been confronted with tough situations several times, not even only as a politician but as an engineer, a practising engineer, as a business man, but I tell you something, my faith always overrides any decision. So, my faith comes first. My faith takes precedence in anything I do.”
Could his decision not to compromise in politics because of his religious belief be the reason for his inability to realise his governorship ambition?
“No, I don’t believe so. I believe it will even help me more. You see the politics we are playing, it started from the angle of peoples’ belief that any politician, by default, is a rogue. Now, it’s getting better. I can remember in the 90s, once you were a politician, by default, you were a rogue. So, you would now fight tooth and nail to clean yourself, to present yourself that look, I am not a rogue, I am just here to serve. And I tell you something, we are now at a stage where people, the electorate, are bothered about the antecedents of the people they want to handover their mandates to. They are bothered about the past of such people; they are bothered about what they have done and what they are doing,” he says.
What has been his attraction for nursing the ambition to become the governor of Oyo State?
Babalola explains, “You see, I have always been someone that has always been involved with the politics around me. Right from secondary school, I have always been a member of the executive of any group I find myself; I have always been involved with the society that will need my selfless services. In the university, I played active role in politics. Throughout the five years I spent in the university, I played student unionism to the highest level at the University of Ibadan and in my neighborhood; in my communities I have always been involved with services to people. And when I say service, I mean selfless service to people. So, coming out now, wanting to do it at the macro level, to me, it’s just a continuation of what I have been doing in the last 45 years.
“Unlike so many other politicians you see around that have never been involved in politics, one way or the other or with student unionism or even participating in community services, people that never belonged to associations in churches, their communities, in their neighborhood; people who are not bothered about the welfare of people, it surprises me that they want to hold political offices, because it’s all about caring for people.”
For this man with many parts, growing up was fun. He says, “I have a privileged background. I grew up to know my father as a permanent secretary in the western region of those days. So, I lived a good life. I went to one of the best primary schools, one of the best secondary schools, one of the best universities. I was in UMC in Ibadan; Government College, Ibadan; I was at the University of Ibadan. So, I think I had a very privileged background and I was lucky I had parents that tutored me very well and made sure that I did not derail.”
He, however, has some reservations about his being an Ibadan boy, having lived in the ancient city for most part of his life. But in spite of that, he sees nothing spectacular about the much-talked about Lagos life. In fact, Babalola would not trade the serene atmosphere of Ibadan for the hustle and bustle of Lagos, even if offered a million dollars.
He notes, “The only challenge attached to that is the fact that I grew up in this society and some people still find it difficult to believe you are now a grown up person. They still look at you and say, ‘Haaa…sebi omo Babalola ni.’ (Is it not Femi, Babalola’s son?). Those are the only disadvantages, but other than that, I don’t have any other regret. It’s a beautiful environment; it’s a place where I would want to bring up my children. It’s cooler here than in Lagos. It’s crazy in Lagos, but it’s a better society here. I am happy Ibadan evolved in my presence.
“Each time I look back, I am able to view Ibadan some 30 to 40 years ago and compare it with the present Ibadan, as against just finding myself at a place where I have not been for some time. So, there’s virtually no place in this Oyo State that I’ve not passed one night, of all the 33 local government areas.”
Since his political ambition is now put on hold by his inability to realise his governorship ambition in the last general elections, what is his new focus, especially regarding service to the community? Babalola says, “Honestly, my greatest assignment now is to mentor people because I noticed that a lot of young men have a different perspective about life. So, all I want to do now is to keep mentoring people, advising them and being part of the people that will create a better society for the people coming behind us.”
