Yomi Durojaye
Dear Hon. Abdul-Ganiyy Vinod Obasa,
First and foremost, accept my hearty congratulations on your emergence as the Acting Chairman of our beloved Agege Local Government. Some may say “it is politics as usual,” but I personally see in it a divine design and a youthful chance to prove that our generation is not only capable of shouting from the sidelines but of truly sitting at the table of governance.
Permit me to confess: I did not congratulate you when you assumed office as Vice-Chairman. Perhaps, in my heart, I knew that the political script would one day flip the way it just did. But why should I be angry? Politics is a game of chess, not checkers. And truth be told, one of my greatest agitations as a youth of Agege has always been: Let the elders give the youths a chance! Now, here we are, you, a vibrant, educated young man, born into politics, carrying not only the name but also the blood of leadership.
Honourable sir, allow me as a bonafide and proud resident of Agege to place before you some thoughts, not criticisms, not complaints, but candles of light you may carry along the corridors of governance:
1. THE STREETS MUST SHINE AGAIN.
Some of our streets have lights, some don’t. Some lights work, some don’t. And the saddest part is; right in front of the local government secretariat, darkness has become a silent companion, allowing bad elements to harass and even harm our people. Just recently, a precious life was lost. Sir, Agege deserves light, not only as a metaphor for development, but literally. Please, let us not only “shine our eyes” but “shine our streets.”
2. UNITE OUR FATHERS AND MOTHERS IN POLITICS.
Agege has many elders who once laboured, sacrificed, and gave their all for the love of Agege and Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Sadly, political caucuses of the past administration forced many into silence, fear, or the wilderness of irrelevance. Now, some are coming back timidly to encourage you, but many still live with the trauma of rejection. Kindly extend the olive branch, heal these wounds. Unite them again. A united family always drives development faster than a fragmented one.
3. GIVE THE LEGISLATURE THEIR SPACE.
Your father, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, has led the Lagos State House of Assembly for many years with dignity and earned respect across Nigeria. Let the legislators in Agege also breathe, legislate, and critique. Don’t overshadow them; don’t threaten them. Even if they are your father’s loyalists, let them prove their own capacity. Criticism, sometimes, is like bitter leaf, it may taste harsh, but it strengthens the body.
4. PUT YOUTHS AT THE FRONTLINE.
I say this not only as a youth, but as a beggar in the court of justice, please, empower our youths first. Yes, empower elders too; they deserve respect. But let the focus tilt more toward us, the young ones, who are still struggling to find our feet. Give us chances not only in politics but in sports, skills, and education. As mentioned earlier by a brother, Azeez Nurudeen Lekan, that, you’ve done well with football competitions, but sir, we want Agege Township Stadium to become not just a football field but a real arena of pride. Let our youth centres be rebranded with modern tools so that our boys and girls can compete globally, not just locally.
5. RESPECT ELDERS, BUT FEAR NOT.
Around you are men and women old enough to be your parents, some loyalists of your father, some mere opportunists, and, of course, some hidden enemies. Respect them, but don’t fear them. Listen, but don’t allow yourself to be dictated to. You carry a great name, but more importantly, you carry your own destiny. Be bold, be wise, and let the Obasa legacy shine in you.
6. EDUCATION MUST NOT BE SILENT.
From primary schools to secondary schools in Agege, let your works be felt. Let children sit in classrooms that make learning attractive, not exhausting. The future of Agege lies more in classrooms than in council offices.
7. REFORM THE CDAs AND CDCs.
Once upon a time, our CDAs and CDCs served noble purposes. Now, many have been politically hijacked and reduced to tools of manipulation. Can we not draw a line? Can we not insist that political office holders should stay off these platforms? If you succeed here, history will mark your name in golden ink.
Permit me one little mischief before I close: many are praising Hon. Johnson Babatunde of Orile-Agege as “Mr. Project.” But let us not forget that behind every good Johnson, there was always a gallant Obasa. Sir, emulate the good ones, discard the disappointing ones, and outshine them all with your own distinct footprints.
Finally, I pray Almighty God to guide you, protect you, and strengthen you in this new journey. May your tenure be a blessing to the people of Agege, may your father’s wisdom flow through your veins, and may the name Obasa in your hands remain a banner of pride, not of controversy.
Congratulations once again, Acting Chairman. The ball is in your court. Please, don’t just dribble,score the goals!
✍️Yours sincerely,
RAHMON AKEEM AJAYI
Voice of the Doves 🕊️🕊️🕊️
A Resident, and Proud Youth of Agege
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