My name is Toyin Gafaar ‘Bolowotan’, a proud son of Ikorodu seeking your support in my aspiration to become your representative at the Lagos State House of Assembly. I present to you my plans for the good people of Ikorodu Constituency I if voted as a Member of the Lagos State House of Assembly.
This is a social contract that I am willing to sign with my people, should they repose their trust in me. While I understand the job is quite enormous, I shall deploy strategic measurable approaches hinged on broad feedback mechanism to address issues to make life better for all.
RENEWED HOPE
My plan is to reinvigorate and revitalize the lives of my people through legislation and palliative measures to support the executive arm of government. I bring Renewed Hope for all and sundry. I represent the voiceless and I am determined to uplift the oppressed in order to ensure progress and prosperity as enshrined in our party manifesto.
This will be elaborated through:
- To sustain the progressive effort of the state government, I will also be offering soft ‘no-interest’ loans to support local businesses.
- I will partner with organisations like Ikorodu Resource Group, IKODASS and Lagos State Ministry of wealth creation to host Ikorodu Trade fair for local commerce to thrive.
- I will lobby for the repair, reconstruction and rehabilitation of link roads in Ikorodu in partnership with private organizations through Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) in order to ease up traffic and improve on the economic growth of the town.
- I will work with the Lagos State Government to rehabilitate Ikorodu Water Corporation to enable residents have access to potable water
- I will push for more support in the security and economic stability of Ikorodu and maintain a strong and frank relationship with the State Government and private institutions
- I will push for legislation seeking the provision of an ultra-modern market by the State Government for the hardworking market men and women in different accessible areas in Ikorodu. This is aimed at supporting the growth of our local industry.
- For the last 8 years I have been making quarterly payment of medical bills of less privileged and indigent patients at the Ikorodu General Hospital. This will be the reason why I will aggressively sponsor a Bill that will make healthcare for the Senior Citizen free.
- I will also push for legislation in the provision of affordable healthcare services to children and indigent in Lagos State in line with the manifesto of our great party, the All Progressives Congress.
- ONE LAGOS FIESTA: The fiesta in Ikorodu will be supported and enhanced with grassroots presence which will attract tourists and fun revellers in order to boost our economy.
- IKORODU-OGA WORO CARNIVAL: I will lobby the state government to support the Ikorodu-oga day Woro carnival to grow to international standards. The 2017 edition is an indication of what creativity and innovation can achieve.
- TOURIST SITES: Our values no doubt is embedded in our history. We shall collaborate with the state government to preserve our historic sites.
- In my capacity, I will support the state and local government in providing palliative measures by repairing and grading roads that are in bad state in Ikorodu Constituency 1.
- I will facilitate repair work on bad spots on some of our inner roads.
- I will facilitate the provision of transformers for areas that have been put in darkness to ensure my people have a new lease of life.
- I will also lobby and work with the appropriate authorities to ensure the provision of water for all.
EDUCATION
Educating the younger generation is key to building a future which will compete on a global scale, therefore education at all levels will be given maximum attention.
- CONDUCIVE ENVIRONMENT: I will ensure I lobby for the erection of fences in all Primary schools in Ikorodu as well as the increase of prototype buildings for both primary and secondary schools in the constituency.
- ADOPT A SCHOOL: I will partner and engage Ikorodu indigenes with resources to pick a school for renovation. This will further ease the workload of the executive arm of government.
- PUBLIC SPEAKING CONTEST: I witness the 2017 Ikorodu-Oga Day Youth day public speaking contest and I am really impressed. I look forward to partnering with the organizers to broaden and make it as big as the Lagos State Spelling Bee contest.
- BURSARY PAYMENT: To compliment the Lagos State bursary scheme, I will continue with my bursary payment to indigent students. Before now, I have sponsored over 50 youths from primary to tertiary level in their academic pursuit and they are now proud ambassadors of our society. I will continue with this humble gesture for humanity.
- I will embark on a project to ensure that all government owned schools in Ikorodu Constituency I switch from the blackboards era to white boards (Marker board) as obtainable in other climes of the world in addition with the provision of other educational materials
DEVELOPMENT
My developmental projects will be focused on Youths, Sport and Social Development. I believe that youth development is pivotal to nation building, so we can’t neglect our duty to nurture talents and youthful minds. I have engaged gifted youths in Ikorodu and I must say that their thirst for greatness is quite encouraging and worthy of support. What we need to focus on for the youths is mentoring and access to resources for growth.
- BEFORE 30 Network: This hub will be responsive to mentoring Youths in Ikorodu Constituency I to be Entrepreneurs, Business Owners, Writers, Innovators and professionals in their chosen field. Talents in Ikorodu will have an avenue to network, share innovative ideas and create market to showcase their products, services or ideas. Furthermore, members of this network will have access to soft loans and will be given access to prospective angel investors.
- BOLOWOTAN SPORTS ACADEMY: The Academy will not just focus on discovering football talents. We will focus on other areas of sports especially athletics, tennis, basketball amongst others. This academy will create a link between talent discovery and prospective opportunities home and abroad.
- HELPING HANDS CENTRE: One of my plans is to create a platform where Youths can be counselled and encouraged on Self-Discovery which will in-turn rehabilitate and change their perspective towards community service.
- YOUTHFUL AND USEFUL SUMMIT: This summit is an annual interactive summit to meet with Ikorodu Youths for broader deliberations on their needs and life challenges. This will help us design ideas on how to resolve societal issues experienced by the Youths.
CONCLUSION
In presenting myself for service, I make no pretence that I have a magic wand that will solve all our problems or that I am the most intelligent compatriot. It is far from it. What I do promise is this – If I am elected Member of the Lagos State House of Assembly, to represent Ikorodu Constituency I, I will make a covenant with you to always do the right thing, tell you the truth at all times, carry you along and most importantly listen to you. Fellow compatriot and stakeholders in our communities, I do not want to win your affections by giving you promises of things I would do in the future which others before me have given and which have largely been unfulfilled. Rather, I would want you to judge me by my records.
Profile of Oluwatoyin Gafaar ‘Bolowotan’, Aspirant For Ikorodu Constituency I Seat
Oluwatoyin Shakiru Gafaar was born in Lagos on February 7, 1968 to the illustrious family of Late Ogunyemi Gafaar; an Ikorodu indigene and a business man who lived in the heart of Lagos Island.
He grew up with his parents at 39, Maloney Street, Opposite St. Joseph Church, now Adeniji Adele road, Lagos Island.
Oluwatoyin attended LCC Primary School, Ebute Elefun and Muslim Missions Primary School, Mushin for his basic education; Mushin Boys High school, Okota, Isolo for his secondary education and Kwara State Polytechnic, Ilorin to study Business Adminstration. His thirst for knowledge further took him to the prestigious Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) to bag a Bachelor of Science in Economics.
In his unflinching zeal to see others succeed, as an undergraduate student, Toyin engaged his friends in a free after-school tutorial for students which was a rare privilege enjoyed in those days. He was the head of the WAI brigade and was also made captain of the Mushin Boys High school football team in Tournaments.
Due to his brilliant academic profile, young Toyin became the Senior Prefect at Mushin Boys’ High school, Okota, Isolo while he was also made the President of all Secondary Schools in Okota at that time.
As an Undergraduate and Activist, he was involved in Student Union activities and was appointed the Electoral Committee Chairman during the ABU Students Union election in 1994.
Upon graduation with honours and several awards, Toyin alongside progressive minds started the Life Scope Africa; an NGO dedicated to cater for the less privileged and HIV/AIDS Victims in 1997.
As a pragmatic, charitable and grassroot person, who sees community service as a veritable tool for social development especially for the youths, he established BOLOWOTAN FOOTBALL CLUB (BFC) in 2007 to help develop and nurture young talents in Ikorodu.
Bolowotan Football Club which has been in the forefront of discovering hidden talents of youths in Ikorodu for over a decade has also assisted successful young talents get International football career. The Bolowotan Gold Cup also known as the Ikorodu World Cup is in its 10th edition and has been promoting young players from local to national level.
To Toyin, community service means giving his all to serve humanity which made him sponsored over 50 indigents from Primary education to tertiary level amongst other philanthropic acts. The beneficiaries are mostly those who he doesn’t know from Adam but chose to support their dreams as a result of his passion in rendering humanitarian services to people. He may be summarily described as an unrepentant philanthropist whose act of giving is second to none.
Presently, Toyin Gafaar is on the board of PrimeSigns Limited Company as the Head of Administration and Accounts. He is happily married and blessed with lovely children.
Toyin Gafaar is a proud son of Ikorodu.
