Kunle Adelabu & Jare Olukotun
As the ten-year tenure of Lion Taiwo Oduloye as the Education Secretary (ES) of the Local Government Education Authority (LGEA) comes to an end in few days, the jostle to succeed him has begun in earnest.
Oduloye, who completes his two-term of five years each, which started in 2010, this January is expected to vacate the position for a new Executive Secretary.
Since the beginning of the LGEA, there had been four Educatioon Secretaries with Prince Adegbola Amusa as the pioneer Education Secretary and he was succeeded by Mr Ogunbegun, late Alhaji S.A Oredein and Lion Taiwo Odulolye respectively.
The position, which is political in nature, has generated lots of intrigues, permutations and politicking while there has been maneuvering in high places with leadership of the ruling part, All Progressives Congress (APC), allegedly deeply enmeshed in the struggle to install Oduloye’s successor.
According to report, the leadership of the party has once again divided alongside caucuses with each favouring different candidates for the position.
The former Deputy Governor of Lagos State who is also the APC Apex leader in Ikorodu Division, His Excellency, Prince Abodun Ogunleye, former Secretary to the State Government (SSG) and State leader of the APC, Asiwaju Olorunfunmi Basorun and the APC Vice Chairman, Lagos East and Deputy Apex leader in the Division, Asipa Kaoli Olusanya ae expected to play prominent roles in the emergence of the next Education Secretary.
So also are Hon. Babajimi Benson, the representative of Ikorodu Federal Constituency at the House of Representatives, Hon. Sanai Agunbiade, the Majority Leader of the Lagos State House of Assembly and representative of Ikorodu Constituency I and Hon. Nurudeen Solaja, representative of Ikorodu Constituency II.
Meanwhile, the Chairman of the Ikorodu Local Government, Hon. Wasiu Taiwo, and his counterparts in the Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) across the Division – Hon. Adeola Banjo (lkorodu North LCDA), Hon. Jumoke Ademehin (Ikorodu West LCDA), Builder (Comrade) Sesan Daini (Igbogbo/Bayeiku LCDA), Comrade Salisu Jimoh (Ijede LCDA), and Hon. Wasiu Agoro (Imota LCDA), are said to be waiting on the leadership of the party to advise them appropriately.
The chairmen have a major role to play in the emergence of the new Education Secretary as they are expected to agree on a candidate(s) and recommend same to the Governor of the State for his approval.
THE IMPACT gathered that about 13 candidates were interviewed few weeks back for the position.
Aside the political, traditional and other interests that are expected to determine who the next Education Secretary is, another factor that may also determine the outcome is Constituency factor. THE IMPACT gathered that the political and traditional leadership in the Constituency are playing the joker and at the moment, there efforts is said to be influencing the decision concerning who becomes the next Executive Secretary.
A candidate for the job, who spoke with THE IMPACT, confirmed that the Constituency I and II factor is at play in the succession process.
“Well, I am still very much in the race but don’t forget that it’s been Constituency 1 in the last 20 years. They seem to have decided many things based on this factor.
“It’s already taken decision”, he added.
But many have opposed and punctured that, stating that it’s been a balanced consideration between the two Constituencies.
“It’s not true that Constituency I has been in dominance at all. Prince Adegboola Amusa, the first Executive Secretary of the LGEA is an Ijede man and the incumbent, Lion Taiwo Oduloye is both Ikorodu and Igbogbo (Constituency I and II). So, the argument does not in any way hold sway”, he said.
THE IMPACT also gathered that a name has been submitted by a power bloc in the division and that this has attracted opposition from the other power bloc which is agitating against such move.
There is also protest against picking somebody outside those that are within the public primary school sub-sector (serving or retired). Those clamoring for the position of the Education Secretary of the LGEA are of the opinion that it should be exclusively reserved for teachers and retirees from the primary schools since nobody from the system can be allowed to be the Tutor-General/Permanent Secretary which is exclusively preserved for the Secondary School teachers.
In the race to replace the incumbent LGEA Education Secretary are:
Alhaji Lemmy Anibaba
A former teacher who taught for several years at Oriwu College, Ikorodu. He retired as Principal, Lagos State Model College, Igbokuta, Imota.
Anibaba was also a council administrator who was loved by many teachers in both primary and secondary schools because of his caring, humanitarian and administrative acts and capacity. He is also a jovial person and relate easily with people.
He has connections within and outside Ikorodu Division which is an added advantage for his aspiration for the position of the LGEA Executive Secretary.
While in service, Anibaba was a force and a go-getter regarding the matters of teachers and after retirement, he still plays the leadership role in that regard.
Those in the service and others in politics that he had helped or crossed their paths at one time or the other as well as some traditional rulers in the division seem to be in support of the choice of Anibaba for the LGEA Education Secretaryship position.
He’s also said to be favored by power that be for the much coveted position.
Asiwaju Lateef Oduguwa
He retired a year ago as the Head Teacher of the Oga Primary School, Ikorodu. He’s another candidate that commands the respect of teachers in the division, especially those in the primary schools.
He was the immediate past Chairman, Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Ikorodu chapter and a force to reckoned with when it comes to the profession in Ikorodu and Lagos State at large and an administrator per excellence.
Oduguwa became the first NUT Chairman to not only served two-terms, but also to successfully installed his own successor with the support of the major stakeholders in the teaching profession as well as those in the traditional and political class and other interests. He is also a state officer of the union.
During his tenure as the chairman, Oduguwa recorded many achievements and introduced impactful reforms chiefly among which are construction of a befitting NUT Secretariat, introduction of many impactful schemes, empowerment for teachers, annual celebration of Word Teachers’ Day and honouring of serving and retired teachers.
THE IMPACT gathered that he does not want to compete with many of the candidates for the ES position because many of them were his allies during his days as the NUT Chairman and till date but cross sections of teachers, political and traditional institutions are favourably disposed to his candidacy because of many factors.
Mr Taiwo Salami Awolaru
He was formerly a member of the Finance and Supply Department of the School Management Committee (SMC) and LED and later became Head of the Account Department of the LGEA, serving in many Local Governments and also became the Head of All Heads of Account Departments before retiring.
A seasoned and professional financial expert and teacher, Mr Taiwo Hassan Salami Awolaru retired from the service of the Lagos State Government after serving in various capacities for 35 years.
He was the Head of Finance & Supply (F & S) Sections in many Local Government Education Authorities (LGEAs) for 18 years out of which he spent 8 years as the Chairman of the Head of Sections, F & S, in the 20 Local Governments in Lagos State.
Professionally, he became a member of Certified National Accountant (CNA) in 2011 and in 2004, he became an Associate Member, Nigeria Institute of Management. Salami is also a Professional teacher and a member of the Nigeria Union of Teachers. He was certified by Teachers’ Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN) in 2005.
He retired meritoriously on December 23,2018, after spending the statutory 35 years.
He is currently the Treasurer of the Ikorodu-Oga Development Association (IKODASS) and one of the founding members of the Zenith Peers Club.
Mr Olalere A. Olukoga
He is a professional teacher who retired as Head Teacher.
He was one-time Chairman of the Association of Primary School Head Teachers in Ikorodu.
A smooth operator with the required resources to contest the position of the Executive Secretaryship with anyone but does not dispose to contesting against those he considered old allies and friends.
Peer Babatunde Owolabi
He is also a professional teacher, sociable personality, intelligent and politically active.
He retired as an Assistant Director from the service of the Local Government Education Authority, Ikorodu.
Though, he was unassuming but he is somebody that can hold his ground any day, anytime against any opposition.
He’s an administrator per excellence who has been trusted with many positions of authorities. He acts unnoticed and get his assignments done without any undue noise. Due to his nature, many have dubbed him a silent operator who may turn-out to be the joker of the whole contest.
He is also a member of the Zenith Peer Club, one of the foremost social clubs in Ikorodu.
Mr Afolabi Amusa
A former Principal and he’s related to Ijede and Igbogbo/Bayeku LCDAs of the Ikorodu Division.
Although, he may not be as popular some of the other contenders but the situation on ground seems favourable to him.
THE IMPACT gathered that the political establishment in Ikorodu Constituency II has adopted his candidacy and has put his name forward with the support of a major political power bloc in Ikorodu Constituency II.
Alhaji Luqman Sonibare
He is currently the Secretary, Lagos State Community Development Advisory Council (LSCDAC), Chairman, Central Development Committee (CDC), Ikorodu Local Government, Chairman, Ikorodu Division Football Association (FA) and Match Commissioner, Premier League.
He retired as an Assistant Director from the service of the Lagos State Government. He was a former Vice Principal, Government Senior College, Ikorodu.
He is also politically and traditionally connected with massive support base.
Alhaji Y.O. Aregbesola
He is a strong member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Chairman, Ward B of the party in Ikorodu Local Government. He was an Assistant Director and retired as the Head of the Lagos State Polytechnic Staff School.
He’s an amiable and sociable man with network of connections. He is also well connected politically.
Aregbesola is another candidate that people must watch out for in the contest for LGEA Executive Secretaryship.
Alhaji Afolabi
He retired as an Assistant Director and Head of Unit in the LGEA. He is a member of the foremost social club in Ikorodu, Zenith Peers.
Mrs B.O. Ogunleye
She headed a department in the LGEA before her retirement.
Meanwhile, Hon. Adesina, Chairman of the Ikorodu Local Government in Ikorodu Constituency I, while agreeing that the chairmen have important role to play in the emergence of the successor to Lion Oduloye, stated that they have to carry along and observe the interests of the stakeholders in the matter.
He assured our reporter that all interests in the Division would be protected in the course of recommending any candidate for the position of the Education Secretary of the Local Government Education Authority.
In his own reaction, the Chairman of Igbogbo/Bayeku Local Council Development Authority in Ikorodu Constituency II, Comrade Sesan Daini, simply stated:
“We are following the laid down process regarding the selection of a successor for the position. Our stance will be communicated to the public and you (THE IMPACT) soon”.
