Author: Ismail Omipidan
Electioneering often comes with a flurry of activities, among them being the distribution of food items and cash gifts by politicians to their supporters and the electorate. However, while some individuals deliberately target festive and election periods to carry out their philanthropic gestures, there are others who engage in philanthropy from time to time, regardless of political seasons. One such individual is the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), Mr. Bola Oyebamiji.
In July last year, Mr. Oyebamiji, alongside his wife, visited the NYSC Orientation Camp in Ede, Osun State, to commission and donate a new industrial borehole he constructed for the use of corp members and the NYSC staff. During the handover, the State NYSC Coordinator, Mr. Agbor Ndoma Obim, commended the gesture, stating that “true wealth lies in uplifting and serving humanity, as manifested in the kind gestures of this noble family.”
Similarly, according to former Nigeria’s Ambassador to Mexico, Hon. Adejare Bello, Oyebamiji was one of the few individuals who contributed their time and resources to uplift Ede Central Mosque. Over the past decade, Oyebamiji is reputed to have contributed to the construction of hundreds of mosques across Osun State and beyond. In what could be described as a demonstration of his commitment to inclusivity, Oyebamiji also built the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Secretariat in his hometown of Ikire, underscoring his respect for religious diversity.
For the past 10 years, he has made it a tradition to reach out to the people of Osun during festive periods, distributing monetary gifts, cows, rice, cooked meals, and other essential items. However, unlike previous years, his Sallah philanthropic outreach this year was notably huge and more extensive. This was largely due to the involvement and support of friends and well-wishers who have since keyed into his governorship ambition. Their contributions significantly expanded the scale and reach of his Sallah philanthropic gestures.
It is also worth recalling that some months ago, at the peak of soaring fuel prices, Oyebamiji launched the Ilerioluwa Free Fuel Distribution Initiative, aimed at easing the burden of fuel subsidy removal. The initiative targeted at least 15,000 beneficiaries across the 10 Local Government Areas of Osun West Senatorial District. Thousands of commercial motorcyclists (popularly known as Okada riders), Maruwa operators, and Korope drivers benefited from this initiative. According to Oyebamiji, the gesture was his way of giving back to society and cushioning the adverse economic effects of subsidy removal on people of his senatorial district.
Therefore, given his long-standing record of philanthropy, it would be preposterous for anyone to assume or claim that Oyebamiji’s recent Sallah gestures were politically motivated or aimed at currying favour ahead of the 2026 Osun gubernatorial election. The people of Osun know those who dish out Christmas or Sallah token gestures only during electioneering seasons and disappear once the polls are over. Bola Oyebamiji is clearly not one of them.
Even from the remarks of the NYSC State Coordinator during the borehole donation, it was evident that the NYSC team had profiled the Oyebamiji family and the family’s unwavering commitment to humanity, making him to declare that the family live and breathe humanity.
Describing the family as a perfect example of what humanity represents, the NYSC State Coordinator said the good news heard on various interventions and supports that the family had given and still giving to the people were backed by verifiable statistics to place them far above their peers.
He also called on other well-meaning individuals and philanthropists in Osun State to emulate the Oyebamiji family’s generosity by supporting and contributing meaningfully to the needs of the NYSC Scheme in the state.
It is on record that the Oyebamiji family have supported and still support indigent students with scholarship awards to see them through school.
The NIWA MD is a noble man by all standards. He is humble, generous, and hardworking. He is one man whose love and compassion for community and the less privileged in the society is unrivalled.
My close relationship with him has showed clearly he is down to earth. He belongs to the class of public servants who use power and influence positively. His dedication to supporting his boss and Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola CON, to make a positive difference in the sector is truly inspiring. So, when next they tell you Oyebamiji is giving out support during Sallah or other festivities because of 2026, tell them Oyebamiji is different. He started reaching out to people when he had no idea that a day like this would come.