‘I’m Still Not Happy About Nigeria’

For about a week, Lanre Ogunyemi, a member of the Lagos State House of Assembly, organised different events to mark his 50th birthday. One of his most remarkable moments while the euphoria lasted was his visit to the Citadel of Grace Orphanage Home in the Alimosho area of the state which has over 40 children. The youngest baby in the orphanage was about 18 days old as at when the lawmaker visited and presented the orphanage with gifts and an undisclosed amount of money.

A day after, Ogunyemi again organised an empowerment programme for widows, the aged, petty traders and students from within his Ojo Constituency 2, giving them various amounts of money.

The lawmaker said it was his way of life to assist people, adding that he was even more elated that he was in a position to assist and serve the people.

“You know that last year, when I was 49, I empowered the aged, the widows and artisans. This year is not a departure from what I did last year.

“It takes the grace of God to attain 50 especially in a society where the mortality rate is about 40. This is the best way to thank God. I feel young and fulfilled at 50. I also feel elated that I am in a position to render service to the people and bring positive change to them,” he said.

In a bid to document his journey so far, Ogunyemi launched a book which content dwelt on his past, his present and future plans and was reviewed by Prof Olu Akeusola of the Michael Otedola College of Primary Education (MOCPED).

However, in the midst of this excitement, the lawmaker is not happy. Nigeria is not where it should be and this is giving him serious concern.

“Nigeria, no doubt, needs alternative leadership. It needs surgical operation. If at over 50, the country is still crawling, then it is very pathetic.

“We need credible leaders in this nation. We need leadership that would create the opportunity for people to experience true democracy,” he told P.M. NEWS.

He said he had continued to put pressure on the state government to explore resources in his constituency and open the area to tourists.

“My constituency is 50 per cent urban, 40 per cent rural or riverine. We also know that one of the best things that could happen in the state is to open up the riverine area of Ojo Local Government and make it a tourism destination.

“This will bring more development to the area,” he noted just as he promised not to relent till he achieved this mission.

He praised his wife, Yemisi, for standing by him through thick and thin saying she had always been in the shadow, taking care of the home while he was busy with political activities.

“But whenever I am at home, I devote all the love and care I could give and would never joke with my home and family,” he said.

Ogunyemi, the Chairman, Committee on Energy, Mineral Resources and Waterfront Infrastructure Development of the Lagos State House of Assembly, ended the celebration with a glamorous event that witnessed major stakeholders in the state, his colleagues from the House of Assembly, traditional rulers and musicians including popular gospel singer, Yinka Ayefele.