Kunle Adelabu
The Senator representing the Lagos East Senatorial District who seeking a re – election, Sen. Mikhail Adetokunbo Abiru, FCA, has charged the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for the Ikorodu Constituency I, Mr Gbolahan Adetokunbo Ogunleye (OGA) and his Constituency II counterpart, Mr Aro Moshood Abiodun (AMA), to learn from performances of leaders before him.
Abiru, who, within two years of his representation in the Senate, has made a mark for himself in terms of quality representation, gave the guide during the Ikorodu Constituency Campaign rally organized by the Local Organising Committee (LOC), APC Ikorodu Division.
The rally, which was held at the Ikorodu Local Government Open Ground at Ita – Elewa, Ikorodu, recorded massive turn out despite the fuel and naira scarcity that has made lives difficult for Nigerians.
The Senator also said that Gbolahan and Constituency II counterpart, Mr Aro Moshood Abiodun (AMA), has no doubt that both will deliver on their mandate if elected to represent Ikorodu.
“This will be a guide and advice for Gbolahan Ogunleye. I think you are coming at a time when you have people ahead of you; people that have done very well in the public service. I would like to start with our leader, Bola Ahmed (Tinubu), he has exemplified what public service is. He had his opportunity between 1999 to 2007 and he lived up to expectations and that is part of what is working out for him now, and what you see in the type of leadership in Lagos, are leaders who are performers. So, you have a lot of people to learn from”, Sen. Abiru said.
“Your dad is another very good example in public service. He played his part when he was Commissioner and later, the Deputy Governor and he continued to play the leadership roles for the party. So, there’s a lot you can learn right from your house and as you come out, there’s a lot of people you can pick lessons from and I think that should be very instructive for you”.
Abiru, who said that the incumbent governor in the state, Mr Babajide Sanwo – Olu, has also shown good leadership qualities, also charged the Assembly candidates to emulate him in discharging their public service mandate.
“Now, looking at your other brothers, I will start from the governor of Lagos State, who has also done very well. He came at a time when things were very difficult; in the time of COVID, which is more or less the time of war but he lived up to expectations. We have some states that are struggling to pay salaries and wages, pensions, but he has gone beyond that and has also been able to provide infrastructures to the state and we are all leaving witnesses of the Rice Mill that was commissioned and the train that was birthed in Lagos. Those are the things the Governor has done despite the hard times that we live in. The governor has performed and he deserves a second term.
He also pointed to himself and Rep. Babajimi Benson as among those the two Assembly candidates should copy from.
Abiru, who said that he has made his own mark in the last two years that he has been holding the mandate of people of Lagos East, told the two Assembly candidates that Rep. Babajimi Benson is not just being called ‘Julius Berger’ but for his performance.
“All these examples are things we are meant to follow and it shows that our party is truly a progressive party. JB (Jimi Benson) is an example for all he has done in Ikorodu. They don’t call him Julius Berger for fun, they call him because of what he has done and I am saying this for you to know the shoe you are about to step into and to know the example you are to follow”, the Senator added.
“In my own little space, within two years, I have tried to the best of my ability to live up to expectations. So, what I am saying is that you have a lot of people to help you.
“I don’t have any doubt in my mind because I am sure Gbolahan will live up to expectations; I am sure AMA will live up to expectations. I only sighted those examples for you to know that you have people you can look up to”.
