Kunle Adelabu
-As former DG Ogunleye, others recall celebrant’s brand of politics, leadership
It was indeed a very special day the highly revered political leader, Alhaji Salisu Aderibigbe Alogba, as apex leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ikorodu Division, on Thursday, May 2, 2024, extolled his brand of politics and the leadership role in commemoration of his 87h birthday celebration.
The APC leaders, led by the former Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Sir (Prince) Abiodun Ogunleye, took their turn to pay glowing tributes to the disciplinary, principled, trustworthiness, committed and sincere nature of the celebrant who was a former Chairman of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in Ikorodu Division, and chieftain of the apex body.
They gathered at the Ipakodo home of the political leader to honoured him while also recalling his past actions and deeds.
Alhaji Alogba, who is also an executive member of the APC apex body in Ikorodu, was one of the founders of a leading political group within the APC – Justice Forum.
Prince Abiodun Ogunleye, speaking at the brief but eventful ceremony, described the celebrant as a man of honour and highly principled leader who played laudable roles in the political development of Ikorodu and Lagos State.
“I congratulate our leader that is celebrating his birthday today and his wife. He is older than us and we pray for more years for him in good health”, he said.
“We gathered here to celebrate a very influential and great man. He was the Chairman when Ikorodu Local Government was one and before then, he was among those that created the Justice Forum (JF). Although, I was among them but I was not part of those that formed it.
“His laudable actions and deeds are still being talked about till today within the Justice Forum which is still waxing strong. Today, I am the Chairman of the body that is overseeing the affairs of the group, but our intention is to allow younger elements to take charge”, Prince Ogunleye said.
While recalling Alhaji Alogba’s roles in the formation of many political group, Prince Ogunleye also said that the Ikorodu apex leaders cherish the celebrant’s advice and leadership roles.
“When the group was formed, he (Alhaji Alogba) played very prominent roles than many others. At first, they were called Primrose and when Dapo (Sarumi) was asked not to accept the ministerial appointment and he went ahead to, it was Alhaji Alogba that moved the motion then that brought about the creation of JF”, former Deputy Governor said.
“At our meeting (apex), he always avails us his elderly guidance and advice. He is highly principled and always stay on that course. He was also well respected among the party leaders in Lagos.
“I am here today with other apex leaders to honour him and he shall live longer in good health.I thank you all for coming to honour our leader. He is a formidable personality among us”, he said.
A former Member, Lagos State House of Assembly who represented the Ikorodu Constituency II, Hon. Gbenga Oshin, in his own remarks, eulogized the leadership roles played by the celebrant who was then Chairman of the SDP, when he was a Councillor under the administration of late Chief Ayodele Awolesi as Chairman of Ikorodu Local Government.
“I am grateful to God that I am part of this gathering for Baba. I had the privilege of being in the same party with our Baba, when he was the Chairman of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in Ikorodu Division, and we learnt a lot of attributes from him like doggedness, loyalty and sincerity”, he recalled.
“Baba would come to the council when Awolesi (Mr Ayodele Awolesi) was the council chairman to request for the programme that the council had for all the 19 wards and until the chairman gives details of each and every project, he would not leave.
“And before the contract is awarded out, Baba would also ensure that contractors that would handle the projects are members of the party.
“He always sits down with the Council Chairman, Chief Awolesi, to plan the LPO, and how the projects and programmes would benefit the people.
“Then, there was unity and the reward system was awesome for members of the party that were working. Unfortunately, those are no long happening. You are good to go once you know some people at the top”, Hon. Oshin recalled.
While celebrating the political leader, the former state legislator also said that Alhaji Alogba is a fair leader who ensures fairness and equity among the different parts of Ikorodu Division.
“I am happy to serve with Baba in the same party and learnt lots of things from him. We were also with him in the Primrose and Baba always ensures that whatever that was due comes to Ikorodu Division and such did not only benefit Ikorodu, but also Ijede, Imota and Igbogbo, and we were happy”, he said.
He too wished the celebrant many more years in good health and happiness.
Princess (Hon.) Jumoke Jimbo – Ademehin, the immediate past Chairman of Ikorodu West LCDA, speaking on how the celebrant was strict with her while she was in the office, thanked him for his principled politics.
“Baba is a committed party man and leader. He was very close to my father. They always discussed progress of the community and we were always wondering then what they were always discussing”, she said.
“I also recalled when I was the Chairman, Baba was always open and truthful to me. He never condones anything other than getting the work done. He was very strict.
“At a point, I was asking myself what I have done wrong for Baba who was my father’s friend because he was always at me, but after deep thought, I concluded that he wanted development and charging me to work.
“He has not relented in this regard because he is still charging those in office and ensuring that they perform. Thank you Baba for your brand of politics and discipline that you instilled in us”, she said.
Mr Segun Anifowoshe, a former Sole Administrator of Ikorodu West LCDA, described the celebrant as a national monument with lots of contributions to Ikorodu LG, Lagos State and the country at large.
“Baba has been a leader to be reckoned with right from the SDP days to AD, AC, ACN and now APC. You have done really well for us. In fact, today ought to be declared as a national holiday because of the achievements he has made in our party”, he said.
“You have raised the party and contributed a lot to the development of Nigeria, even far more than those at the national level now. So, we thank you sir for your efforts, wisdom and strides. We pray that God should give you good health and long life”, he said.
Speaking on behalf of the Alogba family, Mr Babawale Alogba, a former aspirant for the Lagos State House of Assembly, thanked the apex body of the APC, for the honour of celebrating the patriarch of the family at 87.
“We cannot thank you enough and we want the entire apex body to know that we feel so honoured for celebrating our father. We are elated because it shows mutual respect among the apex body”, he said.
“I thank everyone for coming around to honour my dad”.
Babawale, who said that he has learnt a great deal from the way the celebrant and the former Deputy Governor, Prince Ogunleye, handled their affairs when both had sons vying for the same position, bemoand the type of politics being played in today’s political circle.
“There is one thing that I want everybody to know, while I was vying for the Lagos State House of Assembly, Baba Ogunleye came to Baba Alogba, and it was very surprising to me that they both discussed about their sons vying for the same office”, he said.
“What I appreciated most about it is that politics should not be about bitterness and it’s very unfortunate that the politics of today is not like what we had before.
“I witnessed two persons with divided interests coming together to discuss, which is very rare. From that day, I learnt more. Thank you very much sirs. It’s an honour”, he said.
Also at the special celebration for the Frontline political leaders were Alhaja Bilikis Abimbola Alogba, the celebrant ‘s wife, Otunba (Hon.) Sulaimon Kazeem Olanrewaju (SKO), Chairman, Ikorodu West LCDA, Prince Lanre Balogun, former Commissioner for Rural Development, Alhaji Badru Enifeni, APC chieftain, Hon. Olawunmi Abdurasaq Ajetunmobu, Divisional APC Secretary, Hon. Segun Aluko, Vice Chairman, Ikorodu West LCDA, Mr Anifowoshe, Secretary to Ikorodu, Hon. Salau Rukaya Ibikunkun Ajibike, Supervisor for WAPA, Ikorodu West, Hon. Adelani Olumade, Supervisor for Youth & Sports and Hon. Morenike Osikoya, Supervisor for Health among others.
