I strive not to make hasty conclusions. I always struggle to find a way to look-in, think deeply, inquire more and make near-perfect findings before concluding on anything or anybody.
It’s not in my habit to write people off. I also usually find it extremely difficult to accept what others feel, think or say about others. I grew up learning about the problem and dangers of “a single story” – hearing from just one side or person. I always strive to find a way to make excuses to conclude that people are good.
In the last six years or thereabouts, from a distance, I’ve watched and understudied Rt Hon Mudashiru Ajayi Obasa from the sidelines. At first, for obvious reasons, I had been really skeptical about the man. Yet, I strived to subdue my concerns, worries and doubts. I wanted to see an angel out of the man.
Growing up, I was under the impression that success was the icing to one’s earthly sojourn. Over the last few years, I have found myself changing a little. I have found solace in significance. In knowing what ones purpose is and striving to achieve that for which one have been predestined.
Even as I refocus and engage my emotions and thoughts, certain actions spore me to strive harder to deepen my thinking and solidify my depth as I seek to birth my ideals and ideas in a world filled with a tsunami of primordial conversations.
Decades ago, actions such as a tree was planted in Agege, in which nobody have the foresight of hopefully what the tree will become. But today, I’m humble and glad that the tree had grown, nourish and provide succour to many wishing to relax under the scorching sun of Agege.
The tree I’m talking about is Rt. Hon Mudashiru Ajayi Obasa planted by Asiwaju some years back. He was planted as Councillor and after that, the story of his ascendancy began.
Through sheer dint of hardwork, perseverance, political servitude and humility, he made it into the Lagos State House of Assembly the first time in the year 2003.
In 2007, through quality representation, intelligent contributions to people-oriented bills and through loyalty to party principles and party leadership, he made it the second time.
In 2011, his electoral victory into the Lagos State House of Assembly the third time came through his exemplary cultivation of self-reliant men and women that were financially and professionally empowered to become self sufficient and independent. Agege people began to believe in him. They began to see in him a desire to bring about lasting comfort to those in need and those requiring some assistance in their personal businesses and life’s challenges; so they voted him right back into the Lagos State House of Assembly the third time.
In 2015, at the fourth time, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Ajayi Obasa made it into the Lagos State House of Assembly on the strength of his rich experience and sterling performance as an outstanding and brilliant member of the legislative chamber. Agege massively rooted for him in his fourth term because they believe he has the experience, the knowledge, the political savvy and the endorsement of the party hierarchy to clinch the Speakership slot.
Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Ajayi Obasa did not only clinch the Speakership slot as expected, he exceeded people’s expectations as speaker of Lagos State House of Assembly by influencing and accomplishing in a period of six years – with the active collaboration with the Erstwhile and incumbent Governors – what successive governments of Lagos State had not been able to achieve in more than a decade.
Obasa is a man, I had watched playing different roles in the legislature in the past, from being a very vocal member, to being the Speaker of the House.
I might not had agreed with all of his political disposition then, but one thing stood clear, which also forged my interest in him, that was his ability to lead from the front and courageously so. His “Omoluabi” trait, political fecundity and erudition equally endeared him to me. I had prayed for an avenue to meet with him.
His fifth term candidacy created an opportunity for our first meeting. His warm reception, friendly disposition and his being a vessel in the hands of God to assist people in very critical times, uplift youths who are sons and daughters of nobody who are not related to him to become somebody helped foster an affectionate for him despite me not in his camp then.
Later, I took the bold stand to queue behind his fifth term candidacy so as to become the Speaker of the house for the second time. My decision was hinged on the conviction that he’s are a good leader with the leadership ability to guide others without force into a direction or decision that leaves them still feeling empowered and accomplished.
Today, that conviction still holds true and I’m proud of my choice. He’d led other Members of the House honestly to endeavor to do their best for their Constituencies and the Country even in the face of enormous challenges.
His leadership has created a good working atmosphere for everyone of them to ventilate the yearnings and aspirations of their Constituents, devoid of rancor.
With his leadership exemplary in the house, my emotion forced me to pitch my tents with him once more because of the opportunity he gave to other Members of the House to be recognized and for their voices to be heard. He’d been a listening and accommodating leaders to them.
He’s been showcasing the wisdom in knowing how to balance the interest of Lagosians with the interest of the Power brokers.
His dexterity in balancing the interest of the Legislature with that of the Executive and that of the Judiciary without friction is second to none.
There’s another pointer to the man – in whatsoever that he does, he puts God first! I’ve closely followed his undertakings and realized how deeply he took care of the Clergies and Pastors.
Rt. Hon Mudashiru Ajayi Obasa is a lover of knowledge. He encourages, he inspires and he empowers. He not only teaches you how to catch fish, he leads you from the front on the hunt to catching that fish. References to this are Egunjobi, Gbenga, Pedro, James amongst others. This is highly commendable. I am optimistic that he holds his head high, continue to break bounds and rise to becoming a legend to many others.
Olayiwola Rasheed Jebba Hamilton is an Engineer, writer, Media Strategist. He writes from Isale-Oja, Agege Local Government Area of Lagos State, Nigeria.
