By Nurudeen Oshinlaja
Rep. Babajimi Benson (pka, JB), the winner of the Nigeria’s representative of the year at the recently held THISDAY Awards has been deservedly praised by all and sundry for being a stellar representative ofthe people. THISDAY gave a lucid citation of JB (https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2025/01/02/thisday-awards-nominees- for-representative-of-the-year/). Some highlights deserve re-echoing. JB has a professional mien that is definitely nurtured by his nobility and polished by his illustrious law background and his ivy-league, international certifications and qualifications. His unblemished records whilst holding senior executive management positions in LSDPC, Lekki Worldwide Investment Limited, Lead Bank PLC, Ecobank PLC, and the United Nations is surpassed by his exceptional public service and legislative prowess.
That JB is a beacon of impactful leadership for Ikorodu Federal Constituency, as THISDAY puts it, is an understatement. Everyone who understands the elements of value-for-money public service would attest to how JB’s impactful leadership. His practice of transformational leadership at the grassroots, state and national levels is hailed within and without Nigeria; he is a perfect example of how tangible dividend of democracy becomes a reality rather than mere wishful thinking that used to be the case. Yet, as much as he keeps breasting the tape several laps ahead of others, JB remains unsparing and untired in turning Ikorodu Division into a ‘projectified’ society whilst he keeps contributing profoundly to all initiatives for the advancement of Lagos State and Nigeria, in general.
Meanwhile, here, a first-pass valuation of JB’s achievements as at January 2025 (see the figure) showing how masterly JB consistently hits the bull’s eye is discussed. The evaluation identifies the frequency and extent of all public offerings delivered by JB and multiplied them by the respective value of their baseline social benefits determined from aggregated information.
The evaluation reveals a clear fruitful multi-modal focus on road infrastructures, healthcare, and energy for sustainable living and security. It is not a happenstance that as much as a fifth of JB’s focus is on making Ikorodu Division has viable roads network. Another (approximately) fifth of his focus is deployed to building and revamping hospitals, and yet another (approximately) fifth provides efficient and sustainable energy for streets and households. The three areas are identified as parts of a quintet that gulps the biggest investment facilitated by our paradigm- shifting legislator. JB’s relentless focus on the three themes is ingenious because the tripods of roads infrastructures, healthcare and energy for sustainable living and security are capable of underpinning the revitalisation of Ikorodu Division.
The fourth part of the quintet rightly focuses, as a sum, on maximum social welfare support and education. This strategy of levelling up social empowerment distinguishes JB as an archetypal public officer who does not vacillate in their delivery of total quality service, but maintain their people-centric trajectory. Furthermore, the evaluation depicts how JB focusses excellently on human capital development, economic empowerment, and sports development (with completed and ongoing stadia under his belt).
Human capital development, particularly, youth’s, receives JB’s imprimatur because he recognises that socioeconomic productivity of our society depends on capable, competent, and active human force that is brawny and brainy enough to offer many active years of service. It is against the backdrops of the growing population of unemployed and under-employed young people in our society that JB’s unstinting attention is being paid to the demographic. Yet, JB pays resolute attention to older demographics in his total quality public service. This approach is laudable because it will drive the youths to become more enterprising and regularly come up with ideas and innovations to care for the much older, senior citizens and those yet to become adults in the society. Occasionally, few elders tend to misunderstand
JB as they fear he is biased against them. The contrary is the case; JB does not misapply his goodwill and influence – he regularly demonstrates invaluable understanding and respect for the elders. JB is not one to deprecate lecterns of public positions, all he is pursuing is sustainable development as shown by his accomplishments.
In real terms and pictorially, the smooth actualisation of the thematic areas identified indicates a bull’s eye target which JB hits with consistency, accuracy and precision. More so, JB’s vision of developing innovative leadership by exposing aspiring leaders to life-changing experiences and opportunities along with his follow-through approach for advancing the cause of the young people is like that of professional archer. The evidence of his accomplishment which hits the bull’s eye from all angles suggests that he must regularly be asking which primary, secondary schools, healthcare facilities, roads etc. are there to build, develop or refurbish rather than actions on infantile adventures. This is a crucial learning point for all persons who offer themselves for public service.
The evaluation reveals not a glory-hound but a public officer who is big on expending as much capitals as he can access wholly, exclusively, necessarily, and reasonably on the right public goods and initiatives. JB’s dedicated approach shows a public officer who disavows recklessness and wastefulness. Evidence shows that making Ikorodu Division, Lagos State and Nigeria better is the overarching goal that fuels JB’s passion hence he will not rest on his oars to deliver massively for the people.
Dear Hon. Benson, I join to acknowledge your reformative legacy and thank you for leading with compassion, civility and care. As you continue to care for our collective prosperity, you are profoundly appreciated.
Nurudeen Oshinlaja, Cardiff, UK
