Kunle ADELABU
There is no doubt that the Majority Leader of the Lagos State House of Assembly and the representative of the Ikorodu Constituency I, Hon. Sanai Agunbiade will continue to remain a significant factor within the political settings in lkorodu division and Lagos State.
His aspiration to vie for the fourth term has also continue to generate discourses within the political, religious and social circles with increasing demands by stakeholders urging him to aspire for the fourth term in the interest of Ikorodu division.
The recent call came from clerics and thousands of Muslim faithful during the 8th edition of the annual Ramadan Lecture/Iftar hosted by the lawmaker on Monday, May 21, 2018, at his Constituency Office along Obafemi Awolowo road, Oke – Ota Ona, Ikorodu.
The theme of this year’s lecture was “Islam and the concept of power” delivered by the erudite Islamic Scholar and Lagos State Commissioner for Home Affairs, Dr. (Hon) Abdul-Lateef Abdul- Hakeem.
Sheikh Yahya Oshoala As-Samaddani, Chief Imam,Oriwu Central Mosque,in his opening remarks stated that the three term lawmaker should aspire to return to the State Assembly in 2019 for the fourth term in the interest of Ikorodu, a statement that was greeted with a deafening shout by the thousands of Muslim faithful, political leaders and other residents in attendance.
“Agunbiade is a person I love so dearly because of his characters and zeal. Personally, because of my love for him I will ask him not to contest for the fourth term. This is because politics is full of deceits and unclean people. People are ingrate”, the Cleric stated.
“But for the love of Ikorodu division. For our relevance in the scheme of things and political calculations come 2019, you should run in the interest of Ikorodu division; Lagos State and humanity”, he stated with thunderous approval from the electrifying crowd.
Meanwhile, Dr.AbduHakeem in his lecture, enjoined Muslim faithful and politicians not to be desperate for power.
According to him, only God gives power and every other things which human beings aspire and struggle for.
Using Hon. Agunbiade’s political trajectory from Personal Assistant to the former Lagos State Commissioner for Agriculture and Cooperatives, Asipa Kaoli Olusanya, to an elected lawmaker and now the Majority Leader of the Lagos State House of Assembly, the guest lecturer stated that God determines the transformation and elevation of people.
He commended Hon. Agunbiade for sustaining the tradition of feeding Muslim faithful during Ramadan period with physical and spiritual meals through the lecture.
“For the past eight years, Hon. Agunbiade has been helping in providing Muslim faithful with meals for the Ramadan break while also ensuring that they are fed with spiritual lessons.
“There is nobody that is deeply involved in God’s work whose case or affairs will not be intervened by Allah. So, I have no doubt that God is intervening in the affairs of Hon. Agunbiade and there is no man that can stop the wheel of progress”, he said.
He also enjoined him and other political office seekers not to rely on men but Allah for power.
He quoted Quran chapter 3:160 to support his submissions that: “If Allâh goes on helping you there is none to overcome you and if He forsakes you, then, who is there that will help you besides Him. Let the believers put their trust in Allâh alone.”
Hon. Abdul- Hakeem also enjoined political office seekers to base their campaign on integrity, probity and accountability”.
“Politics should always be about truth, sincerity and what you have to offer humankind as well as developing and helping others”.
To buttress this, the guest lecturer narrated how millions of naira was raised for a patient who was in dire need of assistance for a foreign medical treatment for an ailment during one of the Hon. Agunbiade’s Iftar programme and concluded that, “God does not forsake such person who is helping others”.
He also urged those in power to build others into position of leadership and should not make everything to be about them.
The lecturer also commended the host for always carrying people along in his representation and other things he does.
“Many do not know that Hon. Agunbiade wasn’t in the country last year when the 7th edition of this lecture was held. Everything went on well; I was here as the guest lecturer; leaders were seated and every arrangement was in place. All these were made possible because he has not made it about himself alone.
“He is a leader that carries everybody along and that is exactly what happened last year”, he stated.
Other qualities which the lecturer said are expected of those in position of leadership are humility, spirit of forgiveness, honesty, patience and sacrifice.
Expressing his appreciation for the success of the last year’s edition of the lecture, Hon. Agunbiade thanked all the guests, participants, wife and members of his team whom he said have been showing great commitment and dedication to the course.
“Last year, many were not aware that I was not in the programme until the end. Then, I was in Umrrah. I want to thank everyone that was involved in the organization of the programme for the love exhibited and for making my absence not to be felt”, he stated.
He appreciated participants and guests for honouring this year’s invitation despite the short notice.
“Most of the people seated here today were just getting to know about this programme three days ago and here you have them all in multitude. It shows that you love us and appreciative of our works. Thank you all”, he said appreciatively.
“Even the chairman of the occasion was just informed two days ago and out of his tight schedule pledged his presence and here he is today and other guests. I have being to the House of Assembly to perform my duties as your elected representatives and had to run down to join. you. All these arrangements were put in place by my wife and my people. I say thank you all”
Hon. Agunbiade in a chat with THE IMPACT stated that the yearly Ramadan programme is his way of gathering Muslim faithful and other interested individuals and groups together to provide meal for the break of fast during the Ramadan period as dictated by the Holy Quran and also ensure that spiritual lessons are also impacted on them.
Among the dignitaries at the programme were Asipa Kaoli Olusanya, Vice Chairman, APC Lagos East, Chief Imam Sefiudeen Olowooribi, Grand Chief Imam, Ikorodu Division, Hon. Wale Oshun, Member, Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. Rotimi Abiru, Chief Whip, Lagos State House of Assembly, Alhaji Taiwo Longe, Chairman, APC, Ikorodu, Alhaji Rilwan I. Jinadu, APC Chieftain, Ikorodu, Hon. Nurudeen Solaja, Member, Lagos State House of Assembly, Alhaji Monzor Olowosago, Publisher, Oriwu Sun, Mr Dammy Olowosago, Governor’s Office, Alausa, Hon. Iyiola, APC Chieftain, Ikorodu North LCDA, Otunba Ganiyu Abiru, Chairman, Ikorodu-Oga Development Association (IKODASS) and Lagos East Senatorial Aspirant and Hon. Fatiu Salisu, Chairman, Ijede LCDA among many others.
