I’m incomplete without a pocket square –Bimbo Ashiru
MARCH 11, 2013
Bimbo Ashiru
Dressed in a polo shirt, combat shorts, and sneakers, Bimbo Ashiru, the Ogun State Commissioner for Commerce and Industry is a fitness freak. Although he is just back from a long trip, he launches into a talk on his fascination with fitness.
“I have a mini gym at home both in Lagos and Abeokuta. I am not fussy about food; so I do not eat much. I eat and burn off the calories while exercising. I go on the treadmill and spend at least 30 minutes keeping fit every day,” he says.
Born to the late Pa Adeyemi Simeon Ashiru and Moradeun Ashiru, both of Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State, he is quick to give credit to his parents for his good upbringing which he explains contributed in no small measure to the man he is today.
He says, “I had a good upbringing and even though we were a very large family, we were brought up to love, respect for our elders and to be humble. We were brought up to know the values of life. My father used to tell us that we were all brought up in this Ijebu land and we must not to go to Buckingham Palace and suffer from inferiority complex.’’
Having listed arrogance as one of his put-offs, in measured tones, he begins to explain why he quarrels with the term, ‘silver spoon.’
“I thank God that my parents were there for us to ensure that we had all the necessary things. Even though I grew up in Lagos, Ijebu and then later went to England, I do not understand the word, silver spoon. Yes, I know I was one of the privileged persons in this world because I had the kind of life a child should have. I only tell people that I had a good upbringing. I think it is a sign of not being humble when you say you were born with a silver spoon,’’ he says.
A banker by profession, Ashiru was the Group Head, Public Sector, Stanbic IBTC before he got the appointment as a commissioner. Does that mean he has left banking after a successful career spanning over two decades?
“I have not abandoned banking,” he corrects. “It is my primary constituency. I am a banker by profession. But I was called to come and serve my people, which I consider an honour. Currently, I am on leave of absence.”
At this juncture, he puts paid to insinuations that he might have lobbied for the position. “I did not lobby for the post and as a matter of principle, I have never lobbied for anything in my life. I work hard to earn whatever I have in life. The governor, Ibikunle Amosun, is someone I have known for years so when he became governor, he invited me to be part of his government,’’ he states.
His journey into banking ran contrary to the expectations of people around him when he was growing up.
He says, “People thought I was going to become a doctor and even called me ‘doctor.’ I thought about how I could affect people and the only way you can achieve that is by helping them. In addition, how can you help them? It is when you work where there is money. I have gone through all aspects of banking and if I do not love what I am doing, I will not remain there. Moreover, there was a friend whose father was a manager in a bank. Then, I would see him dressed in his suit/tie which was an added inspiration for me.’’
A graduate of the University of Ilorin and armed with a masters degree in Business Administration in strategic management, he explains that he abhors all forms of dishonest practices.
“Bankers are seen as people of integrity and I believe that your word should be your bond not only as a man of integrity but also as a banker. Banking is a profession that balances your level of integrity in life and as I always tell people that the only collateral one should have in life is integrity. Once you have integrity people, will believe in you,’’ he adds.
So, what will he do at the end of his tenure as a commissioner? Will he embrace politics?
He replies: “Do not forget that I am not a politician, I am a professional in politics. The difference is that a politician lives everyday of his life playing politics but as a professional in politics, you have your primary job. When you finish serving the people, you go back to your job and you can still be part of making decisions and influencing people. I get irritated when people say they are professional politicians.’’
Wondering if he has changed from who he was as a banker, now that he is a public servant? Ashiru says, “I am still the same person. I pick my calls, I give my phone number to whoever wants it. However, there are some things I want to do but I cannot do because people would read different meanings to it. I believe in work-life balance.”
He admits there are challenges in his job but states that they are not beyond his control. “It is akin to the same challenges you face when you are newly married. The civil service is a system and you must be able to understand it. Overtime, we have been able to overcome the challenges. When you are in public office, people expect so much from you, they do not realise that you are not going there to steal money; you are going there to serve your people. People will ask you for all sorts of favours but I will only do that which I can do and what I cannot do, I will say. That is why I will pick all my calls,” he says.
A typical day for him is one filled with several activities. “I wake up in the morning and I hold as much meetings as I have to. As a matter of principle, I make sure I see everybody who wants to see me. I go out to visit industries and sites and meet the people. Most times, I leave the office late depending on the pressure of work,” he says.
However, he does not fail to relax. “I do a lot of exercise. I go on the treadmill and also spend plenty of time with my family. I am an Ijebu man and we love and appreciate ourselves so we do a lot of merriment. For me, where I need to go and socialise I do, where I do not, I sit back at home and relax with the family,” he says
Married to Oluwakemi for 22 years and still counting, he describes her as his prayer warrior, “We have two lovely children — a daughter and a son. My wife is a very easy-going person who is always supporting me. She is a very objective person. When I told her about the offer, she prayed for me being my prayer warrior. In fact that is one of the things she does best. She told me that if serving my people is the will of God, then she will give me her support and it has remained that way.”
A stylish man in every sense, he believes everyone should look good and smart to create a favourable impression.
“I love to wear suits and I think that is the fallout of my career as a banker,” he enthuses. “I always feel I am not complete without a pocket square; so you will find out I have lots of them. I like to wear the traditional attire too especially for the purpose of socialising. I am not exactly an advocate of dressing expensively. Instead, I go for whatever suits me best. It may cost me less, it may cost me more. The trick is if it sits smartly on you and you look good, people won’t be able to tell how much it costs. They will just assume it must be expensive,” he adds.
No comments:
Post a Comment