Leadership is a contact game — by Adedokun Abolarin

President Bill Clinton wrote in his autobiography, _My Life: “Politics is a contact game.”

I believe leadership is, too.
This timeless principle was taught to me by my Leader, Chief Ajibola Ige SAN — Cicero. He never joked with his friends and supporters. He showed up. He stayed present. He made people feel seen.

So it was for me yesterday.
As a lawyer trained to keep time and honour commitments, I began the day at the 80th birthday anniversary of my daughter, Omooba Felicia Moradeyo Abake Fakayode. I stayed briefly to celebrate her, to thank God for her life, and to pour blessings over her.
From there, I proceeded to a government programme at the Secretariat, Abere — a health-related initiative on an insurance policy for traditional rulers in the state. Again, I was present, if briefly, because our people deserve to be represented.

After that, I joined an international conference hosted by the College of Humanities and Culture, Ikire Campus, Osun State University, Osogbo.
Theme: Culture as Infrastructure: Humanities, Values and Sustainable Development in an Era of Global Disorder.”
A timely conversation. Culture is not decoration. It is the foundation on which we build lasting societies.
I ended the day in Ibadan, at the final burial ceremony of our darling mother, Chief Mrs. Adeline Olufadeke Owoeye, mother of Professor Jide Owoeye of Lead City University, Ibadan’s, who transited at the graceful age of 99.
It was a gathering of the crème de la crème of the Ibadan social circle — a fitting tribute to a matriarch who lived well and loved deeply.

Through it all, one thought kept returning to me: It is impossible to forget my Leader, Chief Ajibola Ige SAN. Because leadership is not done from a distance. It is done in rooms, at tables, in moments — handshakes, prayers, condolences, and celebrations.

Yesterday was long. But it was also full. Full of family, full of service, full of culture, and full of remembrance.

May God continue to grant us the strength to serve, and the grace to honour those who came before us.

–HRM Abolarin is the Orangun of Oke-Ila