Adeola and the Yayi factor in Ogun
It started like a whispering campaign a few years back in Ogun West Senatorial District of Ogun State. A certain Hon. Solomon Olamilekan Adeola, representing Alimosho Federal Constituency of Lagos State at the House of Representatives was staging a homecoming to his Ogun State home base. The Pahayi, Ilaro indigene was a two term member of the Lagos State House of Assembly where he was the chairman of the key Finance Committee consecutively.
Back in Lagos, he has popularised his nickname ‘Yayi’, a shortened form of the Yoruba name ‘Omoyayi,’ meaning a ‘distinguished’ or ‘worthy’ son. Essentially that sobriquet reflects his exemplary life and large heartedness in touching the life of people individually and communally with his resources.
This was what he imported into Ogun State that soon caught on like wild fire particularly in Ogun West District. In relatively no time at all, Adeola, an All Progressive Congress (APC) politician was able to endear himself to the high and mighty as well as the downtrodden that are in the majority in this area.
From traditional rulers to clerics and all others, it was marveling all round to the people of the area that they have such an illustrious son that could make a difference in the development trajectory of the area staying away in Lagos for so long. For the downtrodden, it was admiration for the humility of one they have come to see as a role model to stand up for them at any level. His large heartedness in festive times and to those he came across was confounding to many.
Predictably his activities became the common denominator in Ogun West political calculation as the formal greeting associated with him, “Yayi ni oo, Yayi ni jare” was on the lips of all.
It would be rare if the feat of ‘Yayi’ in endearing himself to his people in such a dramatic fashion comes without traducers who would want the tepid socio-political tempo that the district has been noted for to continue to keep silent. Some were just pissed off with the ‘overnight’ grassroots popularity of Adeola. Others were concerned that his philanthropy dwarfs anything they are used to and that he may make them irrelevant in the scheme of things.
But they have nothing to attack him with except his shinning success in “foreign land.” They argued that he should continue his sojourn in Lagos as if it is a crime to achieve success in Lagos, a trait that many illustrious sons of Ogun State and indeed Nigeria have followed. Unknown to most of them is the fact that even before his visibility, Adeola is a known face in several parts of Ogun State , including the state capital Abeokuta, Joga Orile and Ilaro.
So he cannot be regarded as a ‘stranger’ but what Yorubas will call ‘Omowale’- a son who after a meritorious stint in a foreign land returned home to take his rightful place.
Based on his antecedents and his wealth of experience as a legislator, Adeola is aspiring to represent the Ogun West Senatorial District at the Red Chamber of the National Assembly. So far, that ambition, which he is always quick to tell anyone is not “a do or die affair” has received endorsement from key politicians and leaders of thought from the district and beyond. For once, the leaders and indeed the people of the district see in him a true representative that will carry his people along as well as protect their core interests in Ogun State and Nigeria.
The ground swell of support transcends party lines as Adeola is known for carrying everybody along in his philanthropic activities with many vowing to support his ambition on non partisan basis.
So, who is this man making waves in Ogun West? Adeola was born to the family of Mr. and Mrs. Ayinde Adeola Ogunleye of Ago Isaga, Ilaro at Lagos Island Maternity Hospital on August 10, 1969. He grew up in Alimosho where he began his education at State Primary School in Alimosho, Lagos. He proceeded to Community Grammar School, Akowonjo, Lagos, for his secondary education. His quest for knowledge took him to Ondo State Polytechnic, Owo, now Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo, Ondo State where he bagged a Higher National Diploma (HND) in Accounting. He is a distinguished Chartered Accountant-Associate Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria, (ICAN).
A man of variegated experience in both private and public sector finance, Adeola had a stint with “The Guardian Newspapers Limited” for 12 years and rose to the position of Accountant. In a profession where private sector experience is key for proof of competence Adeola proceeded to Olatunji Omoyeni & Co, a chartered accounting firm, where he led the audit team for several years and was later promoted to the position of a Senior Auditor. He later established his own company, SOOTEM Nigeria Limited, where he was the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer.
Following his decision to join active politics, sometime at the dawn of the 4Th Republic, Adeola was nominated by then ruling Action Congress (AC) and was subsequently elected as a member to represent Alimosho State Constituency 2 at the Lagos State House of Assembly from 2003 to 2007 and again from 2007 to 2011. A man of immense financial and political skills, he was reputed to have been instrumental to the enactment of the law that strengthened the Lagos State Internal Revenue Service, a legislation that catapulted the revenue of the state from N5billion monthly to over N20billion! Without doubt, his sterling performance in public service of Lagos State naturally promoted him to the Federal Legislature when he was elected to represent Alimosho Federal Constituency at the House of Representatives in 2011 which will culminate in 12 years of unbroken legislative experience at both state and federal legislature. And when the committees of the House were inaugurated by the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Aminu Tambuwal for members, he got the position of the chairman of the only constitutional committee, the Public Accounts Committee of the House. His performance in that committee in relation to exposing monumental corruption and sharp financial practices of government agencies has attracted national acclaim and made him a man his people want as a true representative.
No doubt the people of Ogun West and indeed Ogun State have in Adeola, a distinguished son with vast financial and legislative experience that can make a difference to the political and socio economic development of his people and state. The race for the exalted seat is on and from all indications, Adeola appears very much the candidate to beat, all factors considered.
— Odunaro wrote from Abeokuta.
