After a sightseeing to Badagry; we talked about the possibility of Badagry being a good point of attraction and tourism, especially when the road expansion is completed. Badagry is strategically located; a promising community, with nice beach, warm people and also a borderline with Benin Republic. From Badagry we travelled down to Ikeja, we decided to stop by at the office of Hon. Olanrewaju Ibrahim Layode alias OIL 88, represents Badagry Constituency 1 at the Lagos State House of Assembly since 2007.
It wasn't planned to interview Hon. Olanrewaju Ibrahim Layode, also I was tired, it was a long day for me. But things changed when I see his friendliness, willingness, readiness and humility. I decided to know more about him, not just me knowing about him, but the general public too; because investing in a community and visiting a community with a good leader is always a plus. You're assured that things will never go wrong. Here we go:
What's achievement to you? Personally achievement to me is a collective thing, not just about me, but about our party as well; It's all about what we give to our people, to our community. I help with the development of my constituency and it's an ongoing thing.
What have you done to empower the youth? I help in their academic pursuit. I do support them in furthering their education, I sponsor as many as one hundred and fifty each year. I pay for their GSC forms...some of them are doing well after their University education, they do come back to show appreciation. There are some that do not want to further their education, but believe in starting their own business; we help to support them in what they are interested in and they are doing well.
Communication is very essential in leadership; how do you communicate with your constituents? I go to my constituency and mingle with my constituents every weekend. We have 12 wards in my constituency, I do have town hall meetings with them quarterly We talk about security, electricity, employment, good roads and all the essentials. I sent their complaints to the governor and he acts on it.
How would you brand yourself? My work talks for me, doing good gives me a good brand.
What gives you the energy to carry on? When you do for your people, you will have the strength to carry on because you'll have their support always.
People say politicians are liars; are you different from the others? I don't know why they say politicians are liars, one thing for sure, politicians won't say NO, we are like prostitutes; we need something from you. The community wants you to do so much; when we promise we are not sure whether the budget will be sufficient or not, but we say yes to everything to please them and with the hope that things will work out fine. Along the line, things do not happen as envisaged. At this point they call us liars; still we keep promising them, that if they vote for us again we will be able to finish what we started. We have good intentions, but due to some reasons beyond our control, we can't meet up with all our promises.
What causes corruption and what's the solution? Corruption starts from the grass root. When people are given infrastructure, they go and vandalise, saying leaders do the same. Money must be raised again to rebuild what they destroy, this is a waste. When the leaders see this, they therefore do not want to do as much for their community. All of us should obey the rules and laws of the land. There's indiscipline in our land, we need to correct this. See what's going on in the customs; why do people buy without paying custom duty?
If you were not a politician, what would you be? I study Islamic studies, masters in public administration. Before becoming a politician, I was a businessman (a clearing agent), I'm still a businessman and a full time politician.
What inspires? We are political animals; my interest in politics started from home and my community. I love to be a leader from my childhood; people listen to me, I love to be in the front always. My parents see the spirit of leadership in me and they support it. Their supports and the supports of those who listen to me inspires.
Are you a humanitarian and do you have a foundation to cater for a set of people? I don't have a foundation, but I'm a humanitarian, I do my giving in a religious way, I give to people especially the elderly and the youth. I encourage them to live a religious way of life, to be kind to all humans.
Which animal would you compare yourself with? By my date of birth , I'm a scorpion. People say I'm friendly, but dangerous just like a cobra.
What do you want people to know about you? I'm loving and caring, but can be dangerous if provoked.
Your best day of the week? Every day is my day. There's no 'best' day.
What are people to you? I'm friendly with people, I'm close with them and they are to me. I have their interest at heart.
Nice talking with you, hopefully we'll talk again, have a wonderful day: Thanks so much.
What are people to you? I'm friendly with people, I'm close with them and they are to me. I have their interest at heart.
Nice talking with you, hopefully we'll talk again, have a wonderful day: Thanks so much.
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