I can’t believe that the time is finally here for Mr Charles Gboyega Makinde, the General Manager of the Oyo State Sports Council, Ibadan, to retire from active service after serving the Oyo State Government meritoriously for thirty two consecutive years. There is no doubt that he will be deeply missed by his colleagues, friends and associates at the Sports arena considering his numerous unquantifiable and unrivaled achievements in the recent past.
The good reasons why this multi-talented sportsman need to thank and appreciate Almighty God for his kindness and faithfulness are numerous. He was not disengage from the service on account of illness; death; compulsory retirement for misappropriation of fund and other criminal offenses. Rather, he left at the appropriate time when he attained the retirement age of sixty years. indeed, “The Lord makes everything beautiful in his own time”.
He has a deceptive appearance and outlook though he is a man that has uncommon physical strength and speed of endurance, but my first encounter with him depicted a man with militant mien and stern face which was typical of a force man preparing for the battlefield, but to my consternation his attitude and behavior changed my opinion of this meek, gentle, affable and agreeable sports personality whose approaches to issues of life are not only pleasing but simple.
Without being immodest, this dynamic and versatile sportsman has devoted all his lifetime to sports, he started as an athlete in 1976, he later participated in the under 17 Handball Competition during the Oluyole ‘79. He started his civil service career in 1991 as a Coach and later laterally converted to Sports Officer for the past thirty two years, he has served in various capacities in virtually all the directorates of the Council. It might interest you to know that he served as the Secretary of the Oyo State Football Association for many years and also as the Public Relations Officer of the Council.
He is dynamic and diligent while his commitment to duty stands him out among his contemporaries.
He is a “Stadium Person “ he spends his judicious and ample time in the Lekan Salami Sports Complex during the week and weekends. This distinguished gentleman is naturally endowed with biblical Solomonic type of wisdom to handle difficult situations, this unique quality manifested mostly in time of emergencies and crisis. Mankind is a very good crisis manager with potent and effective leadership skills.
A formidable sports administrator and all round sportsman who is an encyclopedia of knowledge. His subordinates testified to the fact that he has adequate knowledge of virtually everything that transpired in the Council since the yore days of Western States Sports Council. He fraternizes with the young and old with in the stadium for the over three decades.
To the best of my knowledge, having closely associated with him since I was deployed to serve in the Media and Communications Directorate of the Council, I can conveniently vouchsafe that whatever history that is narrated about the Sports Council by Mr Makinde is not only authentic but unquestionably reliable. No wonder most people refer to him to get facts and figures on Sporting activities in Oyo State. He is subtly referred to as the engine room of the Oyo state Sports Council, Ibadan.
There is no gainsaying the fact that his exit will create a vacuum that will be obviously difficult to be filled, not only for his apparent exemplary leadership qualities but his academic prowess served as an added advantage to leverage on the effective management of personnel, resources, challenges and the constraints of the Council.
In response to the question “How do you feel now that you are leaving the service of Oyo State? Mankind remarked that “I’m fulfilled with all the achievements recorded during my tenure through the divine guidance of God. By the grace of God; we have recorded remarkable and outstanding performances in the recent past. Oyo States came 7th during the National Sports Festival held in Abuja in 2018. We clinched 6th position during the Edo 2020 and 4th position at the Asaba 2022. It might also interest you to know that Oyo team came second in the First para games in Abuja. I am glad that we are consistently improving on our performances on yearly basis. To God be the glory “.
Question 2. What are your memorable events?
“ I will continue to remember my defense of budget at the pre-treasury board meeting whenever we are invited to justify our financial request on annual basis”
Question 3. What are the remarkable achievements of the Council?
“ Yes, our impressive and outstanding performance at the National and International tournaments”.
Question 4. What are the challenges the Council is confronting that are militating against her effectiveness?
“They are: inadequate funding, Transport, the council cannot boast of a functional official vehicle, dearth of equipments and state of arts facilities to train athletes and enhance their performances”.
Question 5. What do you wish to be remembered for?
“I came, I saw and I conquered “.
Question 6. What advice do you have for the upcoming athletes?
“They need to imbibe self discipline, dedication and commitment to duties. If they adhere strictly to all these, success is guaranteed for them”.
Question 7. Now that you are disengaging from active service, what is the next thing to do?
“I will seek for God direction, among several available options “
Question 8. Can you still come back to sing?
“Yes, why not? If I am invited to serve the State Government at a political level, I will not hesitate to honor such an invitation. I want you to know that a sportsman does not retire. We have seen instances where retired officers are offered appointments as Technical Advisers of teams; Team Managers; Coaches, Chairmen of Sports Council and Commissioners amongst others”.
Question 9. In your own opinion what are the practical steps that can be adopted to move the Council forward?
“Let me refer you to a documents that I carefully prepared in collaboration with the team of Management of this Council which I believe will not only serve effectively in moving the council forward, it will also function as a compendium of transformation. It was tagged “Game Plan” the strategic implementation programs identified were:
i) Government Funding
ii) Public Private Partnership Initiative
iii) Sports Corporate Endorsement
iv) Trust fund
v) Sponsorship Drive
vi) Recruitment of adequate skillful and qualified professionals staff to move the Council forward”
Question 10. What do you think the State Government can do to motivate and boost the morale of the staff to facilitate effective performance?
“The Government needs to ensure
i) Punctuality
ii) Professional and academic training like coaching courses, sports administrative program, Training and retraining Workshops and Seminars.
iii) Enforcement of Self discipline and respect of hierarchy in the public and civil service etc.
Question 11. Do you think the athletes and officials are adequately motivated in Oyo State?.
“To the best of my knowledge the state Government should be commended for the extrinsic motivation of athletes and officials especially in the area of monetary rewards but there is urgent need to give priority attention to the intrinsic motivation which includes provision of modern equipment and state of art sporting facilities, accolades , supplements like beverages etc. Motivation is higher these days but intrinsic aspect of the motivation should be accorded recognition “.
“MANKIND” is a multi-talented and all round athlete who plays round leather games. Badminton, Volleyball, Tennis but he is exceptionally good in Handball
His values are transparency, Liberalism and Tolerance. He loves reading intrinsic books as well.
“At my leisure time, I take delight in taking cold beer in company of friends, colleagues and associates. Once in a while I take chilled red wine and pepper soup”
By and large, he gives level playing ground and equal opportunities to all the members of staff of the Oyo State Sports Council. He despises ineptitude and lackadaisical attitude.
An opinion poll conducted for the staff of the Council revealed that Mr Gboyega Makinde is diligent, dynamic, industrious, intelligent, brilliant, bold, brave, resourceful, outspoken and creative but majority also remarked that he is temperamental and prone to annoyance. But, by and large, he is a gentleman of highest grade with good and excellent character. He is a man with a very large heart and he is innately good.
It has been a privilege to work with someone who is so passionate. I have only work with you for a short time but it is undeniable that your passion has positively influenced our programme and activities at the Sports Council.
Congratulations, cherish every moment of this time and revel in this new stage of your life. Happy Retirement
The man “Iroko” has gloriously retired from the active service of Oyo State, the rest is history.
CREDIT SOURCES
‘TUNDE AJIBIKE
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