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A while ago, I was given an assignment by The Future movement to go and deliver the future in Ekiti state. Funny, isn’t it? Now, my state of origin is Ekiti state. I hail from Ijero town in Ijero-Ekiti Local Government. My grandfather has a house in Ekiti State and though he lived majorly in Lagos and got a chieftaincy title in Mushin, he was taken to Ekiti when he died and buried in Ijero.

I gave you that info to let you know that the probable reason for sending me to Ekiti state may have been because of my affiliation to the state. Also, it may just have been coincidental as Ekiti state was due to hold re-run elections and it was timely that the future had a voice in ensuring that peace and equity reigned supreme in the Land. The major contestants in the election re-run are Dr Kayode Fayemi of Action Congress Party and Engr. Segun Oni of the People’s Democratic Party.

So, here was I being told to return to my place of origin to impact them positively. What was my assignment? My assignment was to get illustrious and notable sons and daughters of Ekiti state to grant a 30-sec recording where they highlighted the following:

            i. Your vote is your voice

            ii. Say “No” to violence

            iii. We are all one Ekiti family

            iv. We must deliver the future

As my worthy companion and partner on the trip I had Christian Love, a foremost change agent with respect to the emergence of a New Nigeria. Of course, I also had the blessings of Fela Durotoye, Deoluakinyemi, Femi Onagoruwa, SEGA (Segun Awosanya), Yinka Banjo, Akuns and Deola Kayode among others.  

Fela got in touch with Mr Dare Babarinsa who is from Ekiti and spoke to him about our project. He agreed to lend his voice and face to our recording and promised to link us up with some of our prospects. We had a camcorder recording of his message at his office about 1 week ago and he did link us up with a good number of prospects. We sent text messages to them and proceeded to Ekiti to make the historic recordings.

The first person who responded to our gesture was the former governor of Ekiti state – Ayo Fayose. I was shocked at his warmness and frankness. I half expected something else, but was pleasantly surprised to find that he was a humble man. He asked to meet us up where we were and truly came to meet us there. We were on the way to Ado Ekiti and had just gotten to Iyin Ekiti.

He found out where we were in Iyin and drove down to meet us there. He didn’t have elaborate security either. Just a couple of armed mobile policemen. I requested after greeting him that we go somewhere comfortable for him and he wished it away saying where we were was comfortable enough for him even though we were on the highway with bushes all around us.

He led us straight through a path in the bush and he told us he was ready. Our crew was almost disorientated but we put ourselves together and he gave us a spirited message of non-violence and peace. We exchanged pleasantries and he expressed his hope at meeting us again soon. He then appealed to us to ensure we involved the grassroots in our recording. He advised us to speak with market women and okada riders and not only known and respected personalities in the state.

So started my sojourn in Ekiti state on a mission for the future and immediately the team’s morale was boosted. We were certain that we’ll succeed on this quest. A few minutes later, a phone call came in from Senator Ayo Arise…

      ”Hello Sir, my name  is Busayo Akanro and I’m from the future.”

catch the rest later.