Nigerian youths are migrating in droves, yet people like you have chosen to stay in Nigeria, why? What would you be telling those who are Japazying,’ migrating to other countries?
Those leaving the country believe the economy is not working and encouraging, they believe leaving the shores of the country to foreign countries could make their life better but I want to believe that in a matter of months or years, things will get better and people will start believing in the project called Nigeria. There is hope for Nigeria and the hope is here. I am proud to be a Nigerian not because I am a politician but because I believe Nigeria will bloom again. I will encourage the youths to stay back and be a blessing to the country. If we all leave by the time the country needs us what are we going to tell our own kids? Nigeria youths need to stay back and fix the country together.
With lots of humanitarian gestures you have carried out in Badagry, some regard you as a philanthropist. Is that what makes you feel you can do better in politics?
No, I came from a political background, so it runs in my blood. My parents were active politicians. I had always been a philanthropist all my life and it doesn’t have anything to do with politics, it is a vision on its own. Although I have used my foundation to do some projects in my constituency before now.
Tell us more about your foundation who has been involved in empowering the Badagry people before now
I can only state a few things we have done through the foundation, we have renovated hospitals, built schools, empowered lots of people through skills, fixed roads like Ijotun-Ajarakoh, Ipaara – Kogakoh, Agunmo, Ilé-ọba – Ozuba, Eyekole – Gomajayi, Ozuba – Zunve, Ilogbo – Iyesi and Health Centre road, Isamo. The foundation has also been involved in helping the government in material things just for the wellbeing and conveniences of people of Badagry.
Before coming into politics, what were you doing for a living and how did you impact on your people?
I said it earlier that I came from a political background, my dad was also a politician, so I was born in it. I grew up to see the ways things are being done politically and I have always been preparing for this stage. When I came back to Nigeria from UK, I became the sole owner of Fab Pharmaceuticals license in Nigeria, I was supplying surgical devices to most hospitals across the country and later on I moved into real estate before giving full attention to my political career.
People in your age group until recently had been lackadaisical to politics, why was this so? Why are they interested in politics now?
When you are talking about age group, the problem we have is not with us, the problem is the people ahead of us, I mean our parents, and I can even say our religion, there had been a time when we were being told in church we should not participate in politics, it took time for somebody like me to realize that we can’t leave that space for some people if we actually want things to get better. It is time for us to encourage ourselves, especially the youths to participate more in politics. It’s not about complaining alone, the youths need to rally round and be engaged in any political platforms to contest and help the governance, your voice can be heard, and your ideals can be useful rather than staying behind doors and complaining.
What were the challenges you faced as a young politician and how did you surmount the hurdles?
I was discouraged by older people, simply because they didn’t want to leave the occupied vacuum, so they did a lot to discourage me but I am a man of vision and I stuck to my dreams and to the glory of God it’s paying off for me. At one point, I was frustrated but never gave up.
Do you agree to the saying that politics is a dirty game?
No, I don’t believe that. It is a game of Chess; it is a game that is meant for smarter people, the people who have vision especially for the people they represent.
You are the candidate of APC representing Badagry at the Federal Constituency for the 2023 election. Tell us how the journey to the ticket was?
The journey started a few years ago, precisely 2015, I came back to Nigeria to pursue my political dream after my Master’s Degree in the United Kingdom. I came to my Constituency to reach out to the people and staging my dreams having been born and brought up in a political family. When I actually came back to Nigeria, I realized there was a missing vacuum that needed to be fixed especially in Badagry, the Egun people where I came from. I talked to people and at the same time listened to their grievances on why there is a need to do more for my people, along the line, it was something I took upon myself to be in contest in order for me to carry them along and fix things. As a matter of fact, the people of Badagry felt it’s high time to try a younger person with a clearer vision for the people of Badagry and I decided to continue in my material works and empower people for sustainability and enabling the environment. Finally, I picked up the Federal Assembly form under our great party the All Progressives Congress (APC) and God made it possible for me to contest and win the party ticket.
What inspired you to contest the election and why were you so confident that you will take the ticket from an incumbent rep?
I was inspired to contest not because the representative was not doing well, he has done great jobs and his records are there for proof, but because people in Badagry and I felt there was a vacuum to be filled. We felt they could do more. As a matter of fact, the youths felt disconnected and we realized that the youths have the larger part of the voting, so I tapped into that and decided to be the face of youths. The youths want inclusion in any government, we need to be reconnected and give our best in governance, so we spoke to some few leaders and they adopted our submission and they gave us a try.
How confident were you to defeat an incumbent at the primary?
I was confident because I was wanted. I have reached out to the people and let them understand why I am here to represent them and let them reconnect to governance. It’s about feeling vacuums and making people understand there is more to be done with their cooperation and understanding we can soar high.
Can you share your plans for your constituents with us?
I made a promise to carry them along with governance which I believe is the major reason why youths are angry. I also promised to make live better. I let them understand that Badagry is close to the border and there are so many things we can tap into to empower people and turn things around. There are so many things we are being deprived of, so I think we can unlock many things to give the youth maximum opportunities to live a good life with good empowerment programmes. I have a lot of plans, but the most important is how to put food on their tables. My people should be able to live a good life and that’s my ultimate plan which I believe is possible by the grace of God. There are several plans on how to reduce the poverty rate in my constituency and how to attract investors both locally and internationally and every other plan would rely on that. I believe when people can eat and feed their family they can key into the vision you have for them.
What is your relationship with the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Party (APC)?
Asiwaju is my leader, my political father and by God’s grace is our next president. He’s someone who listens, his records in political journey are there for everyone to see, and he’s a builder and fantastic goal-getter. I could remember when I told him about my ambition, he looked at me and laughed, but frankly speaking, he saw beyond a young guy just walking to him and telling him how he wants to be the next representative of the Green Chamber. In truth, he didn’t discourage me, he only asked me how I am going to achieve my dream with the party leaders, asking if they are in line with my ambition and I told him they all want me and I am ready to serve my people beyond their expectations. He quickly agreed with me because I told him one or two things that keyed into his manifestos for the country. Asiwaju is someone who identifies talents; I didn’t convince him much because I was able to authenticate one or two things he asked me. He is someone who wants the best for Nigeria.
How will you convince the angry Nigeria youths that you have something to offer?
We need to communicate more with the youth; there is a need for proactivity for the youths. Like I said, the youths are angry because they are disconnected, and the best way to correct that notion is from the grassroots, from the constituency, creating an enabling environment and communicating with the youths on empowerment and life sustainability. The Nigeria youth I know wants a better life and I can assure you that Asiwaju has greater plans to eliminate loads of poverty in the country. Many of the Asiwaju allies now all started from their younger age, he grooms most of them we can all see their flying colours at the federal levels. I can state that Asiwaju will run a youth inclusive government no doubt. Most of the things being said in the name of the youths are just misconceptions. When you break it down talking about the youth, how old were they when Asiwaju was governing Lagos? The youths know little about him, every other thing is just a misconception. Going forward, we need to talk to the youths more and more and create an enabling environment for them to know that they are the real future of the country. He has been in the political corridor for long to understand the pains of every Nigerian and he’s going to fix it.
What is your attraction to him?
My level of intelligence attracted him and he was very convinced, it’s all about questions and answers because I know it’s a big task… he quickly identified the talents in me and that’s all.
Asiwaju Tinubu presidency. What do you think Nigerians should do?
Nigerians should believe in his vision for the country. The country has reached a level where things must be fixed appropriately. Asiwaju has demonstrated with his records and connectivity to be the new hope of Nigerians. It is not all about religion or ethnic politics. It is all about hope for greatness. He’s not a tribal politician, he believes in unity and prosperity. I am a Christian, he never asked me to deviate into my religion and that is Asiwaju for you. He’s a man that wants unity and peace.
How are you preparing for the general election? Do you think you will win?
I am an optimistic person and I believe so much in theory and practicality, I am very confident of staging a victory in Abuja. My constituency is agog to lead me to victory. With little I have done and said, I was able to give them hope for a new dawn and it has given me absolute confidence for victory. I have done a lot for my community and they have tested me enough to know I can do more at the federal level and I am not going to resist any chances to ensure absolute victory. I connected a lot with the people in my constituency and they showed a lot to know they want me around. And don’t forget that Badagry has only one party which is APC!
How would you rate the performance of Governor Sanwo-Olu in Lagos so far?
We called him the saleable, he has done enough to win the second term in the general election and I am as well confident he’s going to win. We have constructions going on everywhere in Lagos right now, and that is why people are complaining about traffic, but by the time they complete all the construction works, we will realize that the governor has done a lot in the state. He’s doing extremely fantastic in transportation, education, health and infrastructures. These are better credentials to win election as a governor, very soon, the blue rail line will begin operations. And don’t forget he’s one the products of Asiwaju, that tells you the visions that are coming to Nigeria as a whole in 2023..
-The Nation
