GOA, the best fit
The uncommon transformational Leaders are known for three things; their full preparedness for the task ahead, their clear vision about their goals and commitment to it, and lastly their indepth knowledge of the politics of their terrain.
From Thomas Jefferson that led the American revolution and authored the drafting of the American declaration of independence to Mikhail Gorbachev whose aspirations for democracy and reforms paved way for the end of cold war and bringing down of the berlin wall. He also played a key in the dismantling of the communist grip on power in both soviet union and eastern Europe. To Nelson Mandela the leader of the anti apartheid struggle, who after becoming the South-African president, sought to heal the rifts of the past which considerably eased the transition to full democracy. These leaders understood the issues in their environment also had a grasp of the right ideas and policies required to build their desirable society.
Until 1999, Lagos state was a shadow of its current state. After the relocation of the capital city to Abuja in 1991, the economy of the state was abandoned, there was no new investment in Infrastructural development. Every sectors of the state were basically in comatose. Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu birthed the idea of the new Lagos, a mega city of an enviable status. Before then he was a senator in the short-lived third assembly and one of the founding members of NADECO, a group that fought for the restoration of democracy in 1999.
After resigning as a top ranking officer in a leading oil and gas multi-national company, he joined partisan politics. At the helms of affair of Lagos State Government, the current Lagos was then, probably Asiwaju’s 3D imagination, which has now transformed to realistic vision through commitment and purpose driven actions.
Working with Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu behind the scene was his erstwhile chief of staff, Mr Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN), the first ever chief of staff to be so honoured as a senior advocate of Nigeria who took over the governorship of Nigeria’s economic hub, his administration witnessed the metamorphosis of Lagos to the desirable status of a mega city.
Taking over the mantle and continuing in the uncommon transformation process is the former accountant general of the state, a man responsible for the financial re-engineering and revenue mobilization for the state. Taking cognizance of the massive construction sites on-going around the state, the reformation of the transport, electricity power and waste management sectors, Lagos is evolving to become the pride of Nigeria, Africa and beyond.
A greater Lagos would not have been possible without friendly regulations, good policies and supportive bills. Providing leadership in the co-ordination and administrative activities of the Lagos state house of assembly was Otunba Ganiyu Olusegun Abiru (GOA). As the clerk of the house, he advises the house on drafting of bills and ensures the house resolutions are implemented. GOA as he his fondly called by friends and acolytes was part of the brains covertly working to ensure that the seamless positive transformation of Lagos state is supported by adequate legal backings.
After retirement, rather than going to oversee an already thriving business he has nurtured, GOA offered himself to the service of his community. He was elected the chairman of ikorodu Oga development Association, a pan indigenous group in Lagos east district. Again in less than two year, GOA proved his worth by organizing the most colourful celebration of the annual ikorodu oga day. The celebration got the attention of the state government, that the celebration was recognized in the state’s tourism calendar. GOA’s administration at IKODASS hosted the first ever Ikorodu economic summit, a gathering of intellectuals and industry experts seeking to tap into the inherent potentials in ikorodu division. The aftermath of the summit has seen the state government and private investors showing interest in ikorodu division.
GOA is not just an astute administrator but a man with a progressive political orientation. His kind gesture is boundless, but he doesn’t believe in money politics, he is an ardent supporter of politics of value. For GOA, community interest takes the lead, any other thing follows.
The activities of some members of the senate arm of the 8th national Assembly has called for caution in electing representatives to the hallowed chambers. If we are truly concerned about replicating the Lagos success at the national level, there is an imperative need to elect only transformational leaders with character, competence, tested capability and progressive political orientation. Otunba Ganiyu Olusegun Abiru is the right peg that fits in the hole
Oke Godwin Olaoluwa
Ogo4real
