Untold Stories Of Akinwunmi Ambode

There are some salient, yet-to-be-mentioned sides of Akinwunmi Ambode, governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, that must be taken into account by those who are yet to make up their minds on whom they should cast their votes for on Saturday, 11 April, 2015.

Apart from his rich vein of intelligence and knowledge of Lagos state, which he has shown in recent interviews, rallies, meetings, et al, Ambode boasts of some hidden qualities which only close associates may be privy to.

Having moved closely with and seen Akin one-on-one for the past 17 years, I do not think it is too much to say that I know him better than many other people out there.

Some of those hidden qualities include:

His unshakable belief In God
As busy as his schedule is, Ambode is not one to shy away from the things of God. Instead, he acknowledges God with every opportunity he gets; for all his achievements and progress, and he always emphasizes that it could have been someone else. Therefore, he always returns the glory to God.

His caring nature
As much as Ambode would not have loved to see this spelt out, it must be said about him. He is one man who takes special interest in those working with him, he always wants to know what is happening around them and in their respective families. His messengers and domestic staff’s children are on scholarship (all on Akin) and one of them even did her Masters in the UK.

This young man also ensured provision of accommodation (personal houses) to his staff including his driver and messenger. And to show that he really does not have preference for religion or tribe, Ambode has on several occasions in the past few years, sent people on Pilgrimage to Jerusalem and Mecca and also provided free food for many during the June 12 riot (quite a while, isn’t it?)

His Unending passion towards education
His belief and support of education as the liberator of mankind, is highly remonstrated in the number of students on his scholarship scheme– over 20 students from Secondary to University levels. He does all of these with his personal earnings simply because of his utmost mindset that education is the bedrock of every great society.

His Belief In Quality Life/Accountability
This is one area which this our Dear Friend does not joke with. And he has also laid examples with the landmarks he left in some capacities where he has worked as follows:
– he introduced the first and quality fencing of the Office of Lagos State Auditor General for Local Government at Old Secretariat, Ikeja while he was the Auditor General.
– prompt payment of staff salaries as Accountant General/STO.
– the first to ‘computerize’ his Office (Accountant General).
– high capacity building and welfare package for his staff.

He also has a really simple attitude to life. If you have worked with him before, you will agree with me that he possesses the following qualities:
– easily contended
– he does not believe that anybody is an accident
– he preaches and insists that you must be able to assist your fellow human being
– that man is very humble and eager to assist in any way
– gets a little bit touchy about other people’s concerns
– interestingly shy but always ready to be your friend than enemy
– he assists the needy in any way he can.

With these qualities that I have reeled out, I am more than convinced that Akinwunmi Ambode will make him a better choice as Governor and father to all of us in Lagos than any other candidate.
Eko o ni baje ooo!

Larry Raj is a close friend of Ambode’s and he wrote in from Lagos
Via [email protected]