…Says Egunjobi a fantastic individual that welcomes fresh ideas
AgegePulse Magazine
One of the greatest surprises of the last council election in Agege was the emergence of Anigbajumo Kolawole Muyideen as the Leader of Agege Local Government Legislative Arm. Many were of the opinion that he's the least person that should occupy such tasking position. In fact, some of his political oppositions rumoured that he can not confidently express himself in English Language talk of holding such position. Naturally, politics becomes interesting when opposition camp have lacuna to explore the weakness of another camp. However, all these were proven wrong when AgegePulse had a chat with him in his office recently. The father of one whose drive for leadership position engineered his foray into active politics speaks on several topics of interest ranging from politics, social and personal life. Excerpts
For the sake of those who know next to nothing about you, please tell us about you.
My name is Kola Anigbajumo Muyideen, Leader of Agege Legislative Arm. I was born into the family of Mr. & Mrs. Anigbajumo. I grew up at Ibido Street. I attended Orimolade Primary School, but due to some circumstances, I could not graduate from that school. I later enrolled into Alimosho Primary School. I attended three secondary schools names Yewa High School, Dairy Farm, Agege and Iqrah Comprehensive High School, Ijaiye where I finally sat my WAEC. I had my tertiary education at Lagos State Polytechnic, where I obtained a Higher National Degree, HND in Business Administration. Then, I served my fatherland at Odogbolu High School in Ayepe, Ogun State. Most importantly, during secondary school days, I had trained as a tailor which I never knew that will be my source of living. My education was sponsored by God and with the help of my tailoring; I continued with the tailoring before I secured a teaching job here in Agege local government vocational center in 2006 with a stipends aiming at imparting knowledge to young ones. I've been doing that for over ten years even while I was in school.
From tailoring to teaching, now that you are an elected politician, how has life being as leader of the legislative arm?
It has been so challenging, being a first timer, and emerging as the leader of the house. I had no experience. I've not been appointed into any political office before. This is the first time, but with the ability to learn fast and the will to learn more through positive consultation, it is getting easier gradually. However, I must give thanks to God and to Hon. Oluyinka Ogundimu for his support and readiness to ease my pressure whenever I seek knowledge from him.
During the electioneering process, did you envisage becoming leader of the house?
To be sincere, I never envisaged it but I had mind in other positions like deputy leader and majority leader due to my level of education and exposure.
Since your emergence as the leader of Agege LGA Legislative Arm of and being the youngest ever in the history of Agege and Lagos, what have you done differently in the house?
It is not how far but how well. Getting to this house, there was nothing on ground from our predecessors, even the bye-laws that was seen in place was last touched in 2006. We have put some bye-laws that we want to work on in place. We had to do some findings so that whenever we want to put things in place, we would put things that will be rewarding and beneficial to our people.. We have ensured that whatever we push forward is not condemned.
Since you assume office, has there been any instance whereby legislative arm was in disagreement with the executives?
Of course there is no way we won't be having some disagreements at times but when we work in collaboration with the binding Constitution, we won't have any problem with the executives. More so, the Executive Chairman of Agege, Alhaji Ganiyu Kola Egunjobi has been a fantastic individual who welcomes any idea that can develop the people of Agege. Till date, we have not had any major misunderstanding.
Do you think the incumbent chairman of Agege has the ability to make Agege better than the way he met it?
As we all know that the Executive Chairman of Agege Local Government is also a youth. We are the first set of legislative arm in the history of Lagos State that passes vote of confidence on our executive chairman. We were questioned, we were attacked that within a couple of two months. Little did they know what we know about him. On assumption into office, the first thing he did was to make office conducive for everybody. From the legislators, to the management staff, to his personal office and to every other offices under the council. It gave all off us sense of belonging because when you have a conducive condition to work, creative and developmental ideas will flow. Also,what really impresses us was when we went for budget retreat; we asked the civil servants if the budget retreat is the same as the one they have been doing in the past? They all said no adding that this has been the most tasking, educating and interesting one ever. From that, I'm able to say the chairman of Agege local government is vibrant, he knows what he is doing, and I think he can even do more than expected.
What will the house do to ensure the budget is fully implemented when passed into law?
The implementation of budget is due to the availability of resources. When the present administration was clamoring on the increment in the internal generated revenue, it's to achieve this purpose. However, If we block the leakages in government, we can assure you we will actualize our plans as a government.
How do you unwind?
You know politics at the community level is a round the clock job because of closeness to the community. Since our swearing-in, I am always in office from Monday to Friday. Also, the weekend that is meant for relaxation is now used for one invited social event or the other. I will probably consider my relaxation regime later.
What prompted you into politics?
School politics prompted me into active politics. During my primary school days, I clamoured for the position of gate prefect, I didn't want any other post in school aside that. When I was in secondary school too, I vied for the same post. When I got to higher institution, I have built interest in leadership position and I was voted as the Welfare Director, that was during National Diploma programme. During HND, I was voted Financial Secretary of my department. Also, during NYSC, I was voted the CLO after a tooth and nail fight with other interested corps members. After my schooling days, I decided not to just stop at school politics. I went to one of my political father telling him my intention to join active politics. He advice and guided me on what to do and here I am today. I will say it's my desire for leadership positions that spurred me into politics.
What will you say is your greatest regret in life till date?
The only thing I'm regretting is that my father is not alive today because I told him to let me be when I was young. I left home since year 2000, and I told him to leave me alone. But now he is no more, when everything is booming. It saddens me, but my mother is alive, in fact, she is one of the most successful businesswomen in Agege. I am taking respite in her but I miss my dad a lot.
