Meet Abayomi Fagbenro-Bibire, Gov. Makinde’s New Special Adviser On Security

The political and media space in Oyo State has remained busy since Governor Seyi Makinde announced the appointment of Honourable Abayomi Fagbenro Bibire as Special Adviser on Security.

The good people of Oyo State and beyond have welcomed the appointment with bells on, describing it is as a square peg in a square hole.

But there are some important things to know about the new Special Adviser on Security to the Executive Governor of Oyo State.

—Early Life And Background—

Abayomi Fagbenro, popularly known as Bibire, was born in the Odo Ona area of Apata in Ibadan into the family of Mr Emmanuel Olawuyi Fagbenro and Mrs Taiwo Clara Fagbenro.

Born into a Baptist family, he was raised in a disciplined Christian home where strong moral values, respect for others, hard work, and the fear of God formed the foundation of his upbringing.

—Educational Journey And Cadet Experience—

Bibire attended Rosita Nursery School before proceeding to IMG Primary School, Apata, Ibadan for his primary education.

He later gained admission into Government College Ibadan where he distinguished himself academically as a science student and actively participated in the Cadet Corps.

His cadet experience at Government College Ibadan exposed him early to leadership culture, discipline, teamwork, endurance, and structured living which later became useful in his military career.

His strong ties with Government College Ibadan have stood the test of time, as he continues to play a key role as Vice Chairman, North America, of the Government College Ibadan 1984 Set.

Outside the classroom, Bibire threw himself into sports, took the bull by the horns in leadership activities, and lent a helping hand in community service during his formative years.

After completing his secondary education, he acquired vocational skills in automobile mechanics in Adeoyo which exposed him to practical life experience before travelling abroad in search of greater opportunities.

—Journey To The United States And Military Career—

Bibire later moved to the United States where he pursued further education and professional development in Information Systems and related fields at institutions including Strayer University, University of Phoenix, and ECPI University.

In 1996, he enlisted in the United States Navy where he began an outstanding military journey.

He underwent basic military training at Great Lakes in Illinois before proceeding to aviation training at Naval Air Station Pensacola in Florida where he emerged as the best graduating student with the highest GPA in his class.

His first duty station was at Naval Air Station Norfolk after which he served at Naval Air Station Jacksonville before later undertaking assignments at Marine Corps Base Quantico in Virginia and Naval Support Activity Souda Bay in Greece.

Bibire served as an Aviation Petty Officer and participated in several military and security operations during his years in active service including Operation Iraqi Freedom.

The terrorist attacks masterminded by Osama bin Laden on September 11, 2001, occurred while he was serving in the United States military, a period that left its footprints and laid the groundwork for global security and military coordination.

His years in military service exposed him to different international security operations, intelligence related assignments, and strategic engagements across parts of Europe and other regions.

His military career earned him several commendations and recognitions including:

• Three Good Conduct Awards

• Two Battle Efficiency Awards

• NATO Recognition Awards

• Multiple Letters of Commendation for meritorious service

A knee injury picked up during active service eventually called time on his military career in 2003, earning him a medical discharge with honour after years of putting his heart and soul into service.

—Professional Career After Military Service—

After leaving active military service, Bibire transitioned into the information technology sector where he built a solid professional career.

He worked with Dell Technologies as a subcontractor before later joining the United States Department of Defence (Army) where he served as an Information Assurance Officer.

During his time with the Department of Defence, he also served as a THREATCON Officer where he handled security related responsibilities connected with operational safety and threat management.

He also worked with the Internal Revenue Service in the United States where he gained additional experience within public institutional systems and information management.

Over the years, he established himself professionally as an information technology specialist with practical experience across both private and public sectors.

—Humanitarian Activities And Community Development—

Outside politics and professional life, Bibire has made a name for himself through humanitarian activities that impact lives far and wide across different communities.

His philosophy that hope alone is not enough without practical support gave birth to the Hope Also Needs Help Foundation through which he has consistently provided assistance to widows, youths, students, vulnerable groups, and struggling families.

For more than seven years, he has made it a point to organize annual Christmas funfairs for thousands of children, which has brightened faces and lightened burdens for families during the festive season.

His passion for education and youth development is on full display in his support for Government College Ibadan where he single handedly renovated the Cadet House and established annual prizes for the best cadet students.

Bibire has equally supported students through scholarships, learning support initiatives, and educational assistance programmes directed at reducing barriers confronting children from struggling backgrounds.

His humanitarian interventions also cast a wide net across healthcare support, community welfare programmes, empowerment initiatives, widow support schemes, and financial assistance for small-scale earners.

One of the humanitarian efforts that drew public attention was his intervention in the life of a mentally challenged woman popularly known as Iya Ibadan whose recovery and rehabilitation restored dignity and hope to her life.

His impact in grassroots development and youth empowerment later bagged him recognition as a Sustainable Development Goals Ambassador.

Several groups, including the National Association of Nigerian Students, have taken note of his efforts and commended him heartily for leaving no stone unturned in education support and humanitarian service.

To many residents across Ibadan Northwest and Southwest Federal Constituency, Bibire’s humanitarian activities have become as constant as the northern star because his interventions have continued without interruption for several years.

—Political Journey And Loyalty To Governor Seyi Makinde—

Bibire formally took the plunge into politics in 2016, with a mission to carry his humanitarian efforts into the public sphere.

In 2019, he entered the race for the House of Representatives seat for Ibadan Northwest and Southwest Federal Constituency under the Young Democratic Party and made a respectable showing among heavyweight contenders.

His high regard for Governor Seyi Makinde’s people-centred leadership and practical governance later prompted him to step into the fold of the Peoples Democratic Party in 2021.

Since joining the party, he has stayed in the driver’s seat of political engagements and matters moulding the party’s presence across Oyo State.

Ahead of the 2023 elections, Bibire tested the waters for the House of Representatives seat before bowing out after consultations with Governor Seyi Makinde and party leaders, a decision widely praised by all and sundry as a clear sign of loyalty to Governor Seyi Makinde and political maturity.

—Why Many Believe The Appointment Fits Perfectly—

Everyone who welcomed the recent news believes the appointment of Bibire as Special Adviser on Security packs weight thanks to his military background, international security exposure, leadership training, grassroots connection, and years of humanitarian engagement among the people.

As it stands, many are massively praising Governor Seyi Makinde for fortifying Oyo State’s security architecture by bringing on board such a seasoned security expert with rich and excellent credentials.