He is a Prince of Ekanland in Oke-Ero Local Government Area of Kwara State, a construction magnate and a realtor and estate developer. But more importantly, Hon Alex Kehinde Bankole is a philanthropist with a large heart. In this interview with the News Men, Bankole who recently celebrated birthday speaks on his defection to the All Progressives Congress APC, his birthday and also bared his mind over some things no one knows about. Excerpt
Q: You recently celebrated your birthday, what will you say is different in this year’s celebration compared to others you celebrated earlier?
A: I must be sincere, this is the first birthday I will be celebrating without giving out to people, why did I do this you will ask.
Prior to my birthday, I sent out a facebook message which reads “Deny people the benefit they get from you to know your real lover among them.”
I wanted to be sure the deluge of comments, prayers and well wishes I usually get is not as a result of the gesture they get from me, but l must be sincere, l have never been celebrated the way l was celebrated this year. This makes me happy and l want to do more than l used to do, and the burning desire to do more as much as God helps me is on the increase now
Q: Were you then convinced after taking that decision?
A: Though I am not the type that celebrate birthdays, people had actually wanted to celebrate me on my birthday and got disappointed because they weren’t able to track me down, some friends wasted a lot of money last year to organize birthday package for me, but throughout that day l was in a particular mosque and nobody had an idea of where l was.
For me, birthday is not for merriment, but I see it as what should bring me closer to my God. I see it as a time to do a reflection of where l am coming from and where l intend to be. It is a time to evaluate where you have gotten it wrong, and actually plan to mend fences, this year was spectacular for me because despite been away from my home town my people really did what was not actually expected, l appreciate all my friends, family and associates, l appreciate everybody.
The birthday wishes came from different angles, no doubt about that, what will you say about this?
I was celebrated by Christians, muslims, political gladiators, APC, PDP, Labour party and so on, which also include friends and families.
Q: Many believe you are a staunch PDP member? Is this true and what is your relationship with other political parties?
A: That’s not true. I am a card carrying member of the All Progressives Congress APC, fully registered in Ekan Ward as far as my political family is concerned in Nigeria. And I have been warmly received by my (APC) Ward and Local Government Executives.
Q: You will pardon me if I say many people are unaware of this development as many still believes that Kehinde Bankole is popularly known with the PDP. At what point did you move to the APC and what informed your decision joining APC?
A: I wouldn’t know what you actually mean about my APC membership not gotten to the public domain. But l agree that it is always a common practice for people to publicize their resignation of a party and their joining another party, but this does not apply to me because joining a party does not require buying a form and all that, I am at liberty to belong to any political party as enshrined in the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, So, when l left my former party, those that mattered knew, my people in my locality are aware that I am now in APC.
Q: But for KAB, having contested for House of Assembly and even House of Representatives under your former party, don’t you think it will help your political journey if you let the public be aware officially so as to avoid rumour mongers?
A: Politics is local; and there is a Yoruba adage that says, “ile la tin keso rode” for what l represent as an individual, with a name that is bigger than myself, l think I have done the right thing by visiting my ward and local government informing them about my decision and action.
However, speaking with you right now is another opportunity for others still guessing to be so convince. I believe this is a right time and also a platform that is widely known and read across the globe and I’m using this opportunity to tell everyone, l am telling the world, my family and others yet doubting that I am a bonafide APC member.
Q: What events or reason(s) dictates this decision of yours and at what point?
A: A number of reasons informed my decision. I joined APC because of the President that the country is having at the moment in person of President Asiwaju Bola Tinubu. No doubt Nigeria is getting it right at this moment having at the helm of affair a President that is having a prepared mind at the centre,
Someone who did not become a President by accident, everybody can see the developmental strides he brought to bear in Lagos during his eight year stint as Governor and what those after him were able to do.
For me, it is a great honour to support such a man to move Nigeria forward. Coming back home, we have a sitting governor trying to the best of his ability, putting smiles on the faces of Kwarans, most especially civil servants this is commendable, but there are still a whole lot to improve on.
Q: Looking at what you have been able to do, touching lives with KAB Foundation, what would you have done better if you are by now holding a political office?
A: Well, there is little you can do as an individual, with your hard earned money, with what we have at our disposal, we are sponsoring about forty nine people in the university across the country. We plan to increase it to one hundred students next year by God’s grace. I do not think there is much that I would have done differently if holding political office.
Even if l won the election to the State House of Assembly in 2019, I wouldn’t have been able to give back with that office compare to what I have done between the period and now. I have helped secure job in state and federal parastatals, Nigeria Police Force. I see all these as a deliberate act of God that I am not holding any office so people can see that it is not about office but love and compassion.
Q: Are you planning to extend your empowerment projects outside Oke-Ero Local government?
A: Our empowerment in recent years cut across not only Kwara State but touches Ekiti and Ondo States, right now, what we are starting next year will be limited to only Kwara South for now.
Q: What is the force behind your passion for giving?
A: Growing up was not good for me; I lost my dad over thirty years ago; on the 20th of September 1993 precisely, that was my first day in JSS2 at Oro Grammar School. So I had it rough going to higher institution. Despite the hardship, I was still taking care of people back in school, during this period l became the Student Union President of the entire Oke-Ero Local Government.
So all I was doing is to appreciate God in my own little way, it would have been worse for me, but God helped me, he came to my rescue and turned my life around. So l’m doing all these because of what i have passed through in life. I know how difficult it was to get to where I am today.
Q: People know you to be a businessman, politician and a philanthropist; can you describe another part of you that is not known by the public?
A: I am not a pretender. I am a Christian, even though people don’t know the actual religion l belong to because of my involvement in the two religions. I am not also a desperate politician as people always tag all politicians as people who can go to any length to get what they want. I do not have enemy, regardless of whatever reason and who you may be. I am a simple me trying to make ends meet and trying to make a good name for myself.
Q: Think something is still missing, I saw you in a police uniform….
A: Oh! actually I underwent a Police training in 2020. I graduated as CSP due to my excellent performance. I won eight of the nine awards available to pick after the course, earning me the most valuable student. I was then shortlisted among seven candidates across the country for Commissioner exams and I was subsequently promoted to the position of Assistant Commissioner of Police and this year i was promoted to the rank of Deputy Commissioner of Police (SPY).
Q: How would you advise Nigerian youth on safety/security as many always fall victim?
A: The problem with Nigerian Police is applicable to other parastatals, but Nigerian police is more pronounced because they are closer to the people than other sectors. We are in a society where you are judged by your look, it is wrong to conclude that everyone wearing dread-lock is a criminal or yahoo boys. My advice to youth is to shun acts that makes them to be vulnerable to illegal arrest or suspicion, an adage says, “You will be addressed the way you dress”. Though Nigerian police need serious orientation on this because looks in most cases do not connect who a person is, being a good or bad person might not show on the look in most cases, because in some countries, the main bad and wicked people look more decent than pastors. So this is Nigeria and our youth should understand that.
Q: Tell us more about yourself
A: Hon. Alex Kehinde Bankole was born and hailed from Ekan in Oke-Ero Local Government Area, Kwara State; from the family of Otunba James Bankole of Oke Ilegun compound.
My father was a business man and my mother was also a business woman in the automobile sector. I attended Primary School at Lantana Nursery and Primary School, Gbagada in Lagos State and my Secondary Education at Oro Grammar School, Kwara State.
I studied Architecture at Polytechnic before I moved to the University of Ilorin.
I am a prominent face in construction, I had done many works for the state government, school projects, both secondary and tertiary institutions and many more.
I was one of the pioneer House of Assembly Commission member in Kwara State House of Assembly.