There’s Need For More Development

Chief Agbolahan Salau Ismail Idowu Irawo, the Akogun of Itireland and Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, Triple ‘I’ Hotel & Suites, Lagos State, Southwest, Nigeria, spoke with PAUL SANUSI on why he is eyeing the chairmanship seat of Odi-Olowo/Ojuwoye Local Council Development Area, how to restore peace among the warring youths in the area and other issues.

What is your view on the just concluded general elections?

On the just concluded elections, aside from June 12, 1993 election, this was the election that I will describe as freest, peaceful and credible election. It was violence-free and I thank God for giving our party, Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) victory in Lagos State and the South West as a whole.

What is your assessment of the Professor Attahiru Jega-led Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the just concluded election?

Professor Jega really did his best to give us credible elections. We have had so many INEC chairmen in the past but none of them was able to give us what we want. But INEC under the chairmanship of Jega was able to give us credible elections, even though there were little hitches at the beginning; yet the election was said to be credible, even by foreign observers. Jega is an activist and this reflected in the way he handled the election.

With the re-election of Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola, do you think he will do better?

I strongly believe that the governor would do more than what he did in his first tenure, because, performance is running in his veins. And if someone is not good, there is no other name to call it. Governor Fashola is God’s gift to Lagos State and Nigeria as a whole. I will say now that what the governor is going to do would be more than what he had done in the past.

Why do you want to go into politics?

My decision to go into politics is basically to serve. I was born and bred in Odi-Olowo-Ojuwoye and I believe that what we need in that council area is a good leader, and this could only be if the person is an indigene. Someone born in an environment will know almost every one in that area, and there will be understanding between the government and the people of the council area. Also, there is a need for more development, and that is why I offered to serve my people in that capacity. As a son of the soil, I want to develop my father’s land. I equally want to wipe off suffering from the faces of my people.

If elected as the chairman of Odi-Olowo-Ojuwoye LCDA, how do you intend to quell the gang war among the youths in the area?

I would do all I can in my capacity as a chairman to bring all the warring youths together and get them employed. With that, I strongly believe that the crisis which the area is known for would become a forgotten issue.

Are you satisfied with the present level of development in Odiolowo-Ojuwoye LCDA?

I will say yes, I am satisfied and no, I am not. My yes is that the little the administration has done may be the best they can do. But as for me and other people in the local council, we are not satisfied with what they have done so far. There are lots of abandoned projects, these are projects that have been paid for but left uncompleted. Pipe borne water is not running and the boreholes they dug are not working. This is not supposed to be so. We need leadership that will change the face of Odi Olowo. Social infrastructure are not available and this is affecting both the economy and social lives of the area. It is for these reasons that I am volunteering to serve my people.

If elected as chairman of the local government, what should the people of Odi Olowo-Ojuwoye expect from you?

With God Almighty on my side, and by the legacy of the party and the leaders we have in the party, I will make the local government the envy of others. It shall be a new dawn. My people should expect from me infrastructure development, adequate health facilities, empowerment, habitable environment and improvement in the well-being of my people, and I promise not to let my people down.