By Wale Junaid

There are indeed various types of leaders! In today’s world where true leadership has become a rarity and at a season when selfless service is often overshadowed by personal ambition, it becomes a miracle to find personalities that stand as beacon of integrity, vision, and unwavering dedication. You may be lucky to find such individuals sparsely located, here and there. What may be dearth are persons whose hearts are rooted in compassion and minds sharpened by wisdom. These scarce men and women do not only transform the landscape of their land, but they also touch countless lives as mentors, guides, and sources of inspiration.

From the ancient town of Ayetoro in Yewa north of Ogun state comes an unassuming, dogged, resourceful, humble, calm but upright and disciplined medical professional turned public administrative giant, Dr Iziaq Kunle Salako, the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare.

In the annals of transformative leadership, where the intersection of vision, integrity, and service defines true statesmanship, few figures shine as luminously as Dr. Iziaq Kunle Salako. He is an embodiment of principled governance and an exemplar of mentorship, he has redefined public service through an unwavering commitment to equity, innovation, and the growth of others; especially the underpriviledged. With the wisdom of a scholar, the courage of a reformer, and the compassion of a servant-leader, Dr Salako has not only shaped policies but he has also engineered futures — modelling a generation to believe in the symbiosis of ethical leadership and meaningful progress. No wonder that he has continued to have unblemished public service records starting from his secondary school where he cut his teeth, politically, as he served as Secretary, Students Representative Council in Abeokuta Grammar School, Abeokuta. From Abeokuta Grammar School, there was no stopping Dr. Iziaq Kunle Salako as he has occupied one public position or the other from his university days at the prestigious University of Lagos, Akoka, through responsibilities in his professional body, NMA; to being appointed as Commissioner in Ogun state where he served in three ministries viz: Agric, Housing and Health, Chairman of Ogun State Hospital Management Board and his current position at the federal level; firstly as a Minister in the Ministry of Environment and later deployed to the present Ministry of Health & Social Welfare. His has been calls to service without stopping and blemishes. He has used his public positions over the years to add immense value to public space.

In the lofty patchwork of governance, where vision meets with execution and principle calms power, few leaders distinguish themselves as both charters of progress and custodians of the public trust. Dr. Salako, stands as a singular exemplar of this rare duality — a thinker whose intellect televises policies and an administrator whose precision illuminates vision into tangible change. You can smell and at the same time perceive his lofty character, capacity, competence, confidence, credentials and camaraderie in the ways he has brought nobility, civility and humility to his private and public lives.

As a community leader, our portion of Ogun state has not only been blessed by this rare gem, it has been graciously endowed by the man who is a torch bearer and a shiny example of how best to contribute one’s quota and best to one’s community. He has touched lives in such an unprecedented but not lousy ways as he is not given to razzmatazz or noisy distractions. His points of service to community and humanity are his own ways of using his time, treasure, talent, and ties all of which define Dr Salako as a man who believes more in Service above self.

I am more than blessed to have been found worthy of being a member of his team as I have learned and acquired more knowledge, wisdom, capacity and skills under his tutelage. Working and Walking with and behind him has added immense value to my dossier and the daily mentoring is a special blessing I can’t appreciate enough. Dr. Iziaq Kunle Salako will never insult anyone’s pride or leave your ego bruised or scathed. That is the height of his humility, humanity and humaneness. He is unselfish, considerate, compassionate and supportive to all his associates, aides and other members of his team.

Happy birthday, Long live Dr. Iziaq Kunle Salako, my leader and mentor par excellence!

*Agba’kin Wale Junaid is the Special Assistant on Media & Strategy to the Minister of State, Federal Ministry of Health & Social Welfare

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