Boboye, the first son of the Corps Marshal, Federal Road Safety Commission, Dr. Boboye Oyeyemi, tells ADELANI ADEPEGBA about his relationship with his father
Tell us about yourself.
My name is Boboye Oyeyemi. I studied Architecture at Covenant University, Ota, Ogun State. I am currently doing my national youth service in a construction firm. I have a younger brother and a sister. My brother is studying economics; he is in his final year in the university, while my little sister is still in primary school.
You bear the same name as your dad?
Yes.
Did your dad influence your course of study?
No, he didn’t influence my career or course of study, I made my decision and he supported me in the decision I made. He allowed all of us to choose what we wanted to study and, of course, he supported us in any way he could. I decided to study architecture because I was attracted to building designs and how they were built. Seeing some impressive buildings also increased my interest in architecture. I see it as a good way to make a mark in the world. Also, the interest I had in technical drawing when I was in secondary school also aided me in studying architecture and my father motivated me. Similarly, my brother was not influenced by our father to study Economics. He took the decision himself.
How was your childhood?
Growing up around my parents and siblings has been interesting. I grew up in Lagos for the first few years of my life, maybe five years, before we moved to Abuja. I had my primary education in Abuja. For my secondary school education, I first attended a school in Ota, before I returned after two years to complete my secondary school in Abuja. I attended Faith Academy in Ogun State and African International College, Abuja. As a family, we are all close to one another and live happily.
How would you describe your relationship with your father?
We have a close relationship. Anytime I need something, he helps me in any way he can. I have never for once asked him for something and he refused. He always provides for us and assists in any way he can. We have this relationship with him where we can tell him anything and he also can tell us anything. He is free with all of us. As a family, we all have robust relationship among ourselves. We don’t hide anything from each other.
What is the most important advice he has given you?
Dad once told me, “As long as you have God on your side, nothing can stop you and one with God is majority. No matter what you want to do, if God is with you, you will succeed.” And he has demonstrated that in every possible ways by bringing us up in the Christian faith. We go to church every Sunday and we all attend Bible class. He has brought us up as Christians.
What do you admire most about your father?
He is ambitious, upright and he’s a man of integrity. He is a devout Christian. These are some of the things I admire about him.
What trait of your father would you want to impart in your children?
Being upright, being good to people around you, helping people in any way you can and also having the fear of God. Dad likes to help people any way he can.
What are his dreams for his children?
He wants all his children to be greater than him
Do you remember his happiest and/or sad moments?
I can’t be sure of his happiest moment. It could have been when he had his first son or when he had his first daughter. I cannot tell which one was his happiest moment, but I know that he has had so many happy moments in life. I know that if you ask him, he won’t be able to pick out his happiest moment. I can’t tell of any sad moment, maybe there are some times he would feel downcast because of one thing or the other, but there is always the family to help him. My mother and grandmother are always there to help him in any situation he finds himself.
How did you feel when he was appointed the FRSC Corps Marshal?
I was happy for him that he had reached the peak of his career and also being the first career officer to become the Corps Marshal, it was a great achievement. We give God the glory for everything.
How has his appointment as the FRSC Corps Marshal helped your career?
Since FRSC is not in line with my career, there hasn’t been so much his position has done for me, because I studied Architecture and there is little connection between FRSC and Architecture.
Has the appointment impacted on you personally?
Since my dad became corps marshal, I have been exposed to more things, and seen things in a whole new way. Though some people believe their lifestyles should change, one shouldn’t allow one’s position to change one’s personality or character; instead one’s character should define the position or office.
Are you saying the appointment did not change him in any way?
No. It has not changed him in any way; he is still steadfast and upright.
Have you ever been stopped for breaking traffic laws?
No, I have not.
Is it because you are conscious of your father’s position or you simply chose to be a good driver?
I am just trying to be a good citizen. There are some things that are basic, like traffic laws, and if every Nigerian can obey the traffic laws, I think the roads would be a lot safer. It’s not just because my father is the Corps Marshal, it’s just the way I see it. All these minor road laws, like stopping when the traffic light is red, or moving when it’s green, are basic laws. These are part of what makes the country better.
What are your dad’s hobbies?
He likes playing tennis, reading inspirational and Christian books and spending time with his family.
What is his favourite book and author?
I would say his favourite author is Dr. David Oyedepo, and that is because I have seen him with quite a number of books written by the bishop.
Is he active in church?
He is quite active in church; he is a deacon in Living Faith Church, Winners Chapel. At a point, he was head of head-count and offering unit in the church for some time.
What aspect of his worldview or principles do you share?
If everyone can be upright, if everybody can play their part well, if everyone treats his neighbour the way he should be treated, and if we help ourselves, then the world would be a better place. The only way to change the world is for us to come together, help each other, be upright and if we stay away from deceit and hypocrisy. That is his worldview. There was this time when he just became the corps marshal, people would come from the office and insist on celebrating his appointment. But he simply told them he didn’t care for any celebration, the work should just continue because it wasn’t as if his predecessor’s tenure ended. His appointment as the FRSC Corps Marshal by the government was unexpected. Some people said then that it was long overdue, because he was meant to be the FRSC boss, but he didn’t allow this to get to him, he handled the situation calmly. He said work should just continue as usual. Sometimes, when he has an issue with one or two people, he doesn’t let his position get in the way, he handles it quietly and calmly.
Do you have an instance where he had an issue with someone?
We don’t talk about his business so often, but sometimes, one could feel that something had happened at work and it would reflect at home because of the change in mood and everything, as if something went wrong somewhere. But, we haven’t heard or read any negative things about him in the news. My father is a quiet person, he doesn’t like noise.
Has his name and influence opened doors for you?
Like I said, my course and his career don’t mix. So, I would say, not really, because I’m still doing my national service.
What is his favourite food?
It is oatmeal and vegetable soup, efo-riro to be precise.
Tell us about his social life.
He doesn’t have a lot of friends. One would hardly hear him say ‘I’m going to see my friends.’ I can’t even recall the last time he said he was going to visit a friend. But he is an open person. He is someone you could talk to. If you have a business proposal or an idea, he is someone you can meet and discuss with casually, not even officially. He likes watching football, tennis and so he is someone you can relate with on that ground. I believe that, apart from work, there are other things that should bring people together, like sports, events and other things. He doesn’t keep too many friends but he is open to different views and ideas from people.
How did he discipline you and your siblings?
Most times, he disciplines us with the word of God. If we do something wrong, he would bring out the Bible, then he would ask us to kneel down to pray and ask for forgiveness.
So he does not believe in corporal punishment?
No, he doesn’t.
What genre of music does he listen to?
He listens to mostly gospel music, different genres of gospel music.
Did his position as FRSC Corps Marshal affect his role as a father?
Since he was appointed corps marshal, he has become busier, but he still tries to balance it. Sometimes, he would call to ask us if we needed anything. He doesn’t allow his position to create a distance between him and his children or to affect his fatherly role.
What are his post-retirement plans?
Basically, his post-retirement plan would be to serve God, not necessarily by becoming a pastor, but by helping the needy and the less privileged in different ways. He wants to serve God in any way he can.
Some people believe he shaves his head because he is growing grey hair due to work-related stress or age? Is this true?
Grey hair? There is no hair on his head, you can’t even see if there is any grey hair because his head is always clean-shaven. For me, I haven’t seen it.
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