-Explains reason for injecting youths into cabinet
The Executive Chairman, Igbogbo/Baiyeku Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Omo’ba Hammed Olalekan Aroyewun (HOA), has highlighted the critical factors to be considered and worked upon, firstly within Ikorodu Division if the 2027 agenda is going to be achieved. He called for fairness and equity among its component units to bring about unity of purpose towards a collective pursuit.
Aroyewun who was one of the stakeholders that made submission at the I – Heroes 10th Annual General Meeting (AGM) & Public Discourse on “Ikorodu’s Stake in Lagos Politics: Amplifying Our Strength and Capacity”, held at The Exclusives Club, Ikorodu at the weekend, also explained reasons he insisted and fought for the inclusion of youths in his cabinet in Igbogbo/Baiyeku LCDA.
The young council chairman who is connected with five ruling houses in Ikorodu Division as a Prince from Onadugba branch of Ranodu Royal Ruling House, who also is connected with the Lasunwon Royal Ruling House both in Ikorodu; Oshinbokunren and Ijaolu Ruling Houses in Igbogbo and Obateru Kingdom in Egbin and Odumuyiwa family in Ijede, said he emphasised the need to empower youth politically.
“I must commend the I – Heroes for bringing this up and for the roles that they are playing in supporting the government especially at the grassroots level and assisting us in achieving our basic responsibilities as chairmen. You are much appreciated.
“I am raising these points and also establishing my backgrounds and connections across Ikorodu Division, so that we all understand the seriousness and ensure that we have sincerity of purpose in our discussions and actions.
“Comrade Oba mentioned a point in passing while he was making his submission on the issue. If we claim that the Lagos Division, and Ikeja are oppressing us, are we not oppressing ourselves in Ikorodu Division? That is where the sincerity of purpose is very important.
“I am an advocate of “Ikorodu Division for Governor” and I say that anywhere, which is a welcome idea and what all of us must embrace but we must let everyone have the perspective that we are all involved.”
He called for review of how positions and resources are allocated within the division.
Aroyewun also blamed the generation before his own for failing to build on the foundation laid down by the likes of TOS Benson, Alogba, Gbadamosi and Adeniran Ogunsanya and others, which he said is causing his own generation serious problems.
He alleged that they did not build on the achievements and glory of Asiwaju Olorunfunmi Basorun, Prince Abiodun Ogunleye, and Sen. Adeseye Ogunlewe and their likes that took over from the generation of TOS Benson and others.
The young council boss explained that his cabinet which was constituted through consultation with elders and leaders reflects more of younger elements in an attempt not to repeat mistakes of the past.
“For us to fill the lacuna and correct the mistakes of the generation before us, we must do things differently. So that we will also not be blamed or asked by those following us about what we did differently. Let me give you an example, in my own LCDA, if you look at the Supervisors and Special Advisers that we appointed, they are intentional. I fought my way to make sure that some sets of people are in that government.
“If you look at it, these are young, smart and brilliant young minds that in the next 20 years will still be relevant in the system.
“If we have to compete with those youths that are making it to the top at the state and the federal levels, we must produce young and vibrant minds that can compete with the likes of Seriki, a medical doctor. As a youth leader, Seriki was able to facilitate the appointment of two of his followers as Senior Special Assistants. We must produce somebody that is young, educated and competent; somebody that can engage issues and stand his ground anywhere.
“In my own council we fought and asked leaders to give us vibrant youth leaders and the one we have at the moment is a masters holder who can never be asked to just sit down when issues are being discussed,” the council boss elaborated.
Aroyewun furthered, “If we are blaming the generation of the likes of Hon. SOB (Agunbiade), Barr. Shilings and others that they are the ones that failed our own generation and we don’t want those coming after us to accuse us too of failing them, we must be intentional to make necessary changes not to fail them. I know that in Igbogbo/Baiyeku LCDA, we are doing well in this regard.”
He advised that Ikorodu Division must play the politics necessary to get the Lagos State Governorship position.
“There is no oracle without sacrifice. If we have to give the oracle sacrifice to get the Governorship ticket in Ikorodu, please, let us do that because politics and situations always evolve.
“Let us do what is necessary to get what we want and we must not dwell much on the past mistakes. Don’t get me wrong, I do not say that we should not talk about it.
“Even though we do not have a governor, we must also let the younger generations and those still coming know that we once produced a military governor in the person of Air Commodore Gbolahan Mudashiru. We are yet to be given an elected governor yet, but we must set the record straight.
“God willing, Ikorodu will produce the next democratically elected Governor of Lagos State.
“I can also say with every sense of responsibility that Sen. Abiru, Rep. Babajimi Benson, Hon. Gbolahan Ogunleye and Hon. Aro Moshood Abiodun (AMA), who are our legislators, have taken up special responsibilities of performing executive powers and we thank them for that,” he said.
