Advertisment

Ekiti Governorship: Factors in favour of Babafemi Ojudu

Published

6 years ago

May 1, 2018

Sahara Weekly

“If we don’t tackle this problem now, help this people out, our children

will not be able to visit this place, not to talk of live here in the

future.” These were the exact words used by Senator Babafemi Ojudu in a

prose elegy he wrote for late Olufunmilayo Adunni Olayinka, who died

while serving as deputy to the immediate past governor of Ekiti State,

Dr John Kayode Fayemi.

Ojudu titled the elegy ‘Adunni: The journey of an accidental

politician’. Though he claimed the words were not his and he credited

them to the late deputy governor, who happened to be a native of Ado

Ekiti like him, they could as well be described as a retrospection of

sort. Due to some characters displayed by Ojudu over time, which people

have described as alien to political conducts, it might not be wrong for

the Senator and Special Adviser to have on different occasions asked

himself why he was venturing into the rough tidal terrain of Nigerian

politics. But, again, Senator Ojudu is a resolute fighter, who would not

give up on his conviction. He would have consoled himself with the words

of the legendary Plato that one of the penalties for refusing to

participate in politics is that one ends up being governed by one’s

inferiors.

From being a journalist to a human rights activist to a pro-democracy

activist to a reformer, then a Senator and currently a Special Adviser

to the President of Nigeria on Political Matters, Ojudu’s journey of

becoming a politician is a highly inspiring one. Though he is neither an

infantile democrat nor a rookie progressive, his venturing into politics

must have been informed by the belief that politics was too serious a

matter to be left to the politicians. His mindset has always been that

whenever the rights of one man are threatened, the rights of every man

are diminished. This explains why he has contested and won an election

before, and has, as well, been appointed a political adviser. He is

well-known for his innovative ideas and initiatives raising

revolutionary consciousness in people.

As Ekiti State goes in search of a governor that will right all the

wrongs of the incumbent Ayodele Fayose, and as the progressives in the

All Progressives Congress jostle for the single ticket, which would

serve as the ace, certain factors must notch an aspirant above others.

And when one thinks of the character traits that make a good politician

like integrity and optimism, Senator Babafemi Ojudu soars shoulder high

above the rest aspirants, especially considering the following factors

that can just not be overlooked:

History of political activism: Senator Babafemi Ojudu rates very high

among those who fought for the return of democracy in Nigeria as

currently being enjoyed. Even as a journalist, Ojudu played a very

active part in not only reorientating journalists in the country towards

emancipation from dictatorship, but confronting the military

dictatorship headlong. He was unfairly incarcerated for fighting for the

entrenchment of democratic rule in Nigeria. He suffered other forms of

persecutions, but his spirit remained non-shattered until democracy was

achieved.

Boldness: In everything he does, Ojudu puts boldness into it. Boldness

in this contest doesn’t mean being rude, obnoxious, loud, or

disrespectful. Rather, Ojudu’s boldness makes him to be firm, sure,

confident, fearless, daring, strong, resilient, and not easily

intimidated. It means he is ever willing to go where he has never been,

willing to try what he has never tried, and willing to trust the team he

leads that they will always trust his leadership. Ojudu’s boldness is an

honest one, and it comes to him naturally. It is roused by the assurance

that he is always doing his best to right the wrongs. For instance, when

Babangida said he was interested in running for president in the 2011

democratic elections, Ojudu, yet a journalist, boldly said that the

second coming of Babangida to rule the nation should be resisted by

every Nigerian who wanted progress for the country. In his words,

“Babangida does not have anything good to offer us. We have suffered

enough in his hands… He is a trickster. Look at how many journalists

were killed during his time. Look at what he did to our colleagues

(journalists)… Look at what happened to our institutions when he was

around. He destroyed the system and he is now seeking to come back”.

Doggedness: Everyone who has ventured into pursuing a course alongside

Ojudu will attest to his doggedness and tenacity. According to Malcolm

Gladwell, success is a function of persistence and doggedness and the

willingness to work hard for twenty-two minutes to make sense of

something that most people would give up on after thirty seconds. That

is Babafemi Ojudu for you. He is determined. Even in the face of

setbacks, you will find him displaying a high dose of enthusiasm and

persistence. His never-say-die spirit is not only legendary but

contagious, as he would always encourage those around him never to give

up. Ojudu remains the only person within the progressive fold that has

beaten Fayose hands down in a political contest. In the April 2011

election for the Ekiti Central Senatorial seat, Ojudu polled 67,747

running on the ACN platform to beat Ayo Fayose, then Labour Party (LP)

candidate and former Ekiti State Governor to a distant third with 29,773

votes. This is the only political dent that Fayose has to date, and

which has kept him shut from boasting that he is unbeatable in Ekiti

politics.

Integrity: Ojudu is straightforward and has come to challenge the

assumption that an honest politician is one of those oxymoron that

people don’t dare fantasize about. Alongside the first two traits, he

displays a high sense of integrity, which may have been his source of

boldness. One of the truest tests of integrity is its blunt refusal to

be compromised. With integrity, Ojudu has not and cannot be compromised.

He has nothing to fear, and he has nothing to hide. His character reads

like an open book. Like Bob Marley once observed, the greatness of a man

is not in how much wealth he acquires, but in his integrity and his

ability to affect those around him positively.

The Ado Factor: If indeed tyranny of the majority counts as an inherent

weakness of direct democracy and majority rule in which the majority of

an electorate can and does place its own interests above, and at the

expense of, those in the minority, then one would need to take the

voting demography of Ekiti, with the domination of Ado Ekiti, serious as

the state approaches the next governorship election.

More than 60 people are jostling for the Ekiti governorship seat just in

all the political parties fielding candidates. 33 of them are vying for

the single slot within the APC. Yet among all of them, only Senator

Babafemi Ojudu is contesting from Ado Ekiti, the one-town local

government area and state capital, with the highest voting capacity of

180,000. Ikere, which comes next to Ado with 55,000 voting capacity, has

the highest number of aspirants for the coveted seat, including Fayose’s

deputy and surrogate, Professor Kolapo Olusola Eleka of PDP. Segun Oni

is from Ifaki in Ijero Local Government and he has other aspirants to

contest with from his LGA. Fayemi, who is from Oye Local Government will

be slugging it out with no fewer than five other aspirants from his

local government. So are all others, except Ojudu who is standing as the

lone runner from Ado Ekiti. This cannot be explained off as a mere

coincidence, but as a deliberate attempt by the people of Ado to pack

their political strength behind their courageous son, thus may have

discouraged any other indigene from pitting against Ojudu.

Apart from these factors that may count in the build up to the 14 July

governorship election in Ekiti State, Senator Babafemi Ojudu also has

some character traits that should be taken into consideration in

determining who the governorship cap fits. They include honesty,

intelligence, good instincts, diplomacy, loyalty, passion, team spirit,

listening skills and empathy.

Advertisment

Up Next

Dr. Chris Okafor Empowers Orphans, Widows With Millions On His Birthday

Don't Miss

Zidora Group Opens New Office in Abuja

Sahara Weekly

Sahara weekly online is published by First Sahara weekly international. contact saharaweekly@yahoo.com

Click to comment

You must be logged in to post a comment Login

PRESIDENT TINUBU’S APPOINTEES FROM THE NORTH MUST TAKE A STAND

Published

2 days ago

April 15, 2024

Sahara Weekly

Advertisment

PRESIDENT TINUBU’S APPOINTEES FROM THE NORTH MUST TAKE A STAND

Following my position on the recent attack on the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu by a spokesman of the Northern Elders Forum, it has come to my attention that Dr. Hakeem Baba-Ahmed who once served as the Spokesperson of the group and currently a Special Adviser on Political Matters in the Presidency took to his page on it to express a different position.

Dr. Baba-Ahmed declared that my stand against the unjust attack against the new administration of President Tinubu that is working very hard to reposition our country for better as ‘ill-advised’. He suggested I could have done a better job in my defence of the administration where I have the rare honour to serve as a Minister.

Advertisment

Dr. Baba-Ahmed’s relationship and or affinity with Northern Elders’ Forum is well-known. The fact now is that he is an appointee of the administration as Special Adviser. Any committed official of the administration has a duty to work for the success of the government he is a part of, protect and defend the government against unjust and undue attack from those who hide under ethnic and other primordial interests to heat up the polity.

It is more important to state that every appointee of President Tinubu including Dr. Baba-Ahmed owe the government a duty to promote and advance the good work and commendable efforts of the government across all sectors.
As appointees of the government from the North, we must all take a stand, be unequivocal in our support and work for the success of the administration we are serving. This is not the time to dither and waiver. We must stand up to be counted for the government or take our exit.

Bello Matawalle
Minister of State for Defence

April 15, 2024

Advertisment

celebrity radar - gossips

Sen Moallayidi: The untold story of Adamawa born politician who introduced Facility Management course in ABU By Dr Salihu Mohammed Lawal

Published

3 days ago

April 13, 2024

Sahara Weekly

Advertisment

Sen Moallayidi: The untold story of Adamawa born politician who introduced Facility Management course in ABU

By
Dr Salihu Mohammed Lawal

Advertisment

In the different spheres of life there exist quintessential Nigerians who have silently achieved fame and glory without making noise about such feat; rather preferring to remain silent while still creating waves and continuing to bestrode the landscape with ingenuity that breaks new grounds.

Sen. Ahmad Abubakar MoAllahyidi is one of such great Nigerians, who represented Adamawa southern Senatorial District in the Senate between 2015-2019 comes readily to mind. A fellow of the Nigerian Institute of Quantity Surveyors, a Certified Public Private Partnership Professional (IP3,Washington DC) also holds a Facility Management Professional (FMP) of (IFMA,USA). Moallayidi is a 1980 graduate with a Bachelor of Science Degree with Honours in Quantity Surveying and an Masters Degree in Construction Management.

This amiable gentleman in the year 2010, pioneered the designed and institutionalization of a facility management course in Ahmadu Bello University Zaria (ABU). He single handedly served as the sole lecturer for it (Post graduate studies in Facility Management ABU). His pioneering efforts were the basis for having facility management courses in Nigerian Universities.

The None serving Senator is an accomplished professional in managing facilities, resources and humanity is leading the private company called Integrated Facility Management Services Ltd among other endeavors that handled some of the most complex facility management services in Nigeria. These facilities include; Management and improvement of the Abuja International Conference Center (ICC) Management of Eagle Square Abuja Kaduna International Trade & Investment Centre, Kaduna (1997-2010). Murtala Mohammed Square Kaduna,and Nigerian Export and Import Bank, Abuja. He also managed Petroleum Trust Fund (PTF) Headquarters & Residential Quarters in Abuja, Presidential Complexes in Lagos (Dodan Barracks and State House, (Marina) and Nigerian Army Strategic Bulk Storage Facility in Enugu.

The Rehabilitation and start-up operations of Health and Medical Industries Jos, a company specializes in the manufacture of cotton wool, bandages and gauge.

MOALLAYIDI AS A MEMBER OF VARIOUS PROFESSIONAL BODIES AND ASSOCIATIONS

Senator Moallayidi is an acumen of managing facilities was the pioneer President of International Facility Management Association in Nigeria (Abuja City-based Chapter) IFMA and is a Fellow Nigerian Institute of Quantity Surveyors, a Fellow of Nigerian Institute of Management Consultants (NIMC) and a Fellow Association of Facility Management Practitioners of Nigeria (AFMPN).

He participated in the Technical Committee on Commercialization and Privatization T.C.P.C. that commercialized government companies for improved performance.

This is the highly revered personality that is leading the management of the Abuja International Conference Center as the Managing Director of integrated Facility Management Services Ltd for which he has set an unprecedented record of upgrading the ICC to global standard in the management and improvement contract after the noticeable failure over the years before the coming of IFMSL.

MOALLAYIDI AS A POLITICIAN

The political journey of this personality of unique humble character, Senator MoAllahyidi is a founding member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) from the Legacy Party. He contested and won the Senatorial election and represented Adamawa South Senatorial District and sworn-in as a Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in 2015. MoAllayidi while in the Senate, he distinguished himself as a vocal Senator in the red chambers and served as a Vice Chairman/Member of various standing and Ad-hoc committees.

Some of the communities is belonged to were; Vice Chairman Committee on Oil & Gas, Vice Chairman Culture and Tourism, Member Banking and Other Financial Institutions, Member Education (Basic & Secondary), Member Legislative Compliance and Member Federal Character and Inter Governmental affairs.

Other committees he belonged to were Member Committee on Bureaus of Public Procurement (BPP), Member ECOWAS Parliament and also held strategic positions where he played critical leadership roles for the APC such as: 2015 Senatorial Candidate (APC), Adamawa Southern Zone, 2014 Secretary APC Reconciliation Committee North Eastern Zone, 2014 Member of APC Congress Committee, Yobe State
(2014).

MoAllayi Joined APC as a result of the merger of CPC, ACN and ANPP (Legacy party) in 2011 Joined CPC and Contested for Adamawa South Senatorial Seat, 2007 he was the Director of Logistics of ANPP Presidential Campaign. While in 2003 the Man MoAllayi was the Director of Logistics ANPP Presidential Campaign.

His political might grew mightier for having a stronger voice for a common Man. in June (2022) the Senator convened the setting up of Arewa New Agenda (ANA) a Pan Northern socio-political organization with the aim and objectives as follows :

Setting up an agenda for the continuing relevance of the North in Nigerian Governance. It is to harmonize and project Northern positions on critical national issues. And to protect Northern interest in the Nigerian Political discourse and evolution.

ANA is an umbrella organization comprising of over 126 network affiliate groups across the 19 Northern States and FCT which Moallayidi became its extended leader as its Patron of Fulbe United for Peace and Development. It’s
the association of over 33,360 Ardos (The Fulbe Umbrella group) leaders across Nigeria.

The distinguished Senator was honored with the respected commander of Nigerian Students (CNS), an award by National Association of Nigerian Student NANS

Dr. Salisu Mohammed Lawal
Writes from Zangon Kataf, Kaduna State
And be reached through this means; emeles20o1@yahoo.com

Advertisment

celebrity radar - gossips

MEET THE LAGOS STATE TAMPAN ASSOCIATION EXECUTIVES

Published

4 days ago

April 12, 2024

Sahara Weekly

MEET THE LAGOS STATE TAMPAN ASSOCIATION EXECUTIVES

Advertisment

Oladunjoye, Oluwasseun Olayemi
A Graduate of Lagos State Polytechnic
A Publisher of Soft sell Magazine (*HIGHFLIERS*)
A Film Producer
An Actress
Currently Publicity and Research Secretary of Theatre Arts and Motion Pictures Practitioners Association of Nigeria. Lagos Chapter
A Native of Ogun State, Abeokuta to be precise

Advertisment

*TAJUDEEN BAMIDELE AYOBIOJO*
A journalist and movie practitioner. I joined Tampan Lagos State Chapter since inception in 2014 as the interim State Chapter Secretary.
In November, same year, I was elected as the State Chapter Publicity and Research Secretary.
In November, 2018, I got elected as the State Chapter Secretary.
In November, 2022, I was elected as the Governor, Lagos State Tampan Chapter.

*Adegboyega Kayode Olubori*
A film producer and Director under TAMPAN Association I’m the Lagos State Treasurer of the Association. I am from Osogbo in Osun State. I’m also a Lagos Island indigene. My Mother is from Lagos State.
I was born in July 21st 1965

*Marian Oluyemisi Odunaiya* is a multifaceted talent in the theatre industry from Lagos Mainland Local Government excelling as both a movie artiste and producer, with a captivating presence on screen and behind the scenes. She is a graduate of Lagos Sate University, Ojo and University of Lagos, Akoka (B.Ed & M.Ed) She is currently the Chief of Staff to Tampan Lagos State Governor, Mr Tajudeen Bamidele Ayobiojo. She is also a seasoned Lecturer in one of the Federal Colleges of Education in Nigeria. A Lagos and Osun indigene and married to Ijebu Odogbolu.

*MOSHOO AJANI OGUNLEYE.a.k.a bigman*
A movie actor, producer and a director, am a member of TAMPAN Lagos State Chapter, also the current state organising secretary.
Am also a member of TAMPAN GUILD OF DIRECTOR ( TGD),
I had produced over 20 movies and directed over 150 good movies
Am the CEO of OBEKETV you tube channel.
Thanks

*My name is Tinuade Oke Chukwurah (Mrs), born and brought up in Lagos island, Lagos State Nigeria*
*I am a Nigerian*
*I was born 13th of May by Elder Stephen Maradesa and Madam Elizabeth Oke*
*I am married to Mr Martins Omotayo Chukwurah, from Anambra state Nigeria. we are blessed with wonderful good children, to God be the glory*
*My primary school education was at WJ David Memorial Baptist school broad street Lagos State Nigeria*
*Later proceed to Fiditi grammar school Fiditi, in Oyo State Nigeria*
*I went to Rimax institute of computer studies and science at Meiran Ijaye Lagos State*
*I was a student of Yaba tech, at Yaba Lagos State Nigeria*
*I am a actor, a film producer, I trained under Alhaji Taiwo Hassan (Ogogo films) at Odunfe caucus, at Odunfa Mainland Lagos which Alhaji Olayinka Quadry ( Masomo) is the chairman, while Alhaji Abbey Lanre and Alhaji Pefuele were our leaders*
*I am practicing my carrier under Theatre Arts and Motion Pictures Practitioners Association of Nigeria (Tampan ) I have received so many awards, I have served in so many areas in the association just to mention few, a Treasurer, Liaison officer represent Lagos State at national level, Financial Secretary.*
*I am doing second term as Financial Secretary Tampan Lagos state*
*I am into business at the same time*
*To God be the glory, I blessed God for my life.*

HAKEEM ATANDA OLANREWAJU
A DIRECTOR/PRINCIPAL in Lagos state ministry of Education and Theatre/ movie practitioner. I joined Tampan Lagos State Chapter since inception in 2014 as the interim State Chapter Financial Secretary.
In November, same year, I was elected as the State Chapter Financial Secretary.
In November, 2018, I got elected as the State AUDITOR
In November, 2022, I was re-elected as the AUDITOR Lagos State Tampan Chapter.

I, am, Alashe Hammed Adewale.
An Actor, Director for both Stage drama and films, also Art Director.
( The 1st ever Olu Omo of Tampan Lagos.), The 1st interim mainland Tampan Chairman.
The 1st Executive to Mainland Tampan Chairman.
The Former Publicity and Research Secretary (PRS) for Tampan Lagos State, The Newly Elected General Secretary for Tampan Lagos.
The *OGO YORUBA* *AWARD* (OYA) Winner as the best Stage Technical Director in 2017, FNW award winner in 2028 as Lagos State best Stage actor, National Theater Festival of Unity t Double honored actor in year 2020.

*OYELEYE ADEDEJI STEPHEN*
A movie Director and Producer,
I joined TAMPAN LAGOS STATE Chapter since inception in 2014 as the Interim Alimosho LG Chairman,
In November, same Year I was elected as the Alimosho LG Chairman chapter
2 Term elected as Lagos State Chapter Provost Marshal

PRINCE WASIU ISHOLA OJO.(omoiyaghanaADEDIBUTAMPAN)
A THEATER/MOVIE PRACTITIONER( DIRECTOR /PRODUCER)/ REAL ESTATE MANAGER.
I Joined Tampan Lagos State in the year(2014 )
First Interim chairman Oshodi/Isolo(2014)
Elected Chairman,4years(2014)
Appointed chief of staff to former Governor Tampan Lagos state (Chief Mrs Esusu Oyewunmi) 2018.
The present Deputy Governor of TAMPAN Lagos state Chapter November 2022.
Member Guild of Directors (TGD).
Member Guild of Producers (TGP).
CHAIRMAN/CEO : FREE NEW WORLD ENTERTAINMENT.

LAWAL OLUWARANTIMISIRE ADEOSUN
*A professional fashion designer
*A dancer
*An actress
*A film producer
*C.E.O Of Roqwas entertainment
*A chanter (ALAGA IDURO, ALAGA IJOKO)
*The Former Vice Chairman Of Shomolu Bariga TAMPAN Local Government ,And Now Currently the Social Secretary Of Lagos State Theatre Arts and Motion Pictures
Practicioners Association Of Nigeria
*A Native of OGUN State (Abeokuta)

Advertisment