•Exec. Chairman LAGOS Island LG
In the political circle, Hon. Tijani Adetoyese Olusi is a big name to reckon with. If you know a thing or two about the political power brokers in Lagos state, then you cannot possibly dismiss Hon. Tijani Adetoyese Olusi, one of the political juggernauts in Lagos state as of today. And it is not just because his father, Prince Tajudeen Olusi, is an Icon at the apex of the APC political powerhouse in Lagos but because he has been able to make his own mark as a top politician who is starting to build his own legacies for everyone to see. This, perhaps, explains why he was appointed a member of the prestigious Governor’s Advisory Council (GAC) for Lagos State. If you were meeting this gentleman for the first time, one of the things that would immediately impress you about him is his calmness. He does not allow the pressure of work get to him, despite the fact that he runs the affairs of a massive local government like the Lagos Island LG. And he is an incredible listener too. His office, especially during visiting hours on Thursdays is often a busy place with dozens of Lagos Island residents trooping in to seek an audience with their hugely loved and respected chairman, Hon. Adetoyese Olusi. One thing they are all sure of when they come to see him, Hon. Adetoyese will never shut his doors against you and neither will he treat you with disregard when you get to meet him. That is how humble he is. He welcomes his people and gives them access to see him. And one after the other, he listens to them and addresses their needs and requests as best as he possibly can.
The
next council elections are just around the corner but Hon. Adetoyese Olusi is
not losing sleep over it. He is confident he has done enough in terms of
infrastructure, in terms of health delivery and rehabilitation of roads to
justify his reelection. And indeed, his remarkable performance speaks for him.
This is why he can beat his chest proudly and say that the people of Lagos
Island are ready to come out en-masse and vote massively for him to ensure his
return as the Executive Chairman of Lagos Island local government. There is
only one candidate to beat for the Lagos Island Chairmanship election and his
name is Hon. Tijani Adetoyese Olusi. But the question is, who amongst the
intending contestants can match the intimidating credentials of this
outstanding politician? Let us tell you a little more about him.
Adetoyese Olusi (born October 29, 1967) is the
Executive Chairman of Lagos Island Local Government. He was the Executive
Secretary for the Lagos Island Local Government from January 10, 2015, to June
6, 2016 and also the Vice-Chairman/ Supervisor for Education from 2008 to 2014
Adetoyese
ran for the office of the Chairman, Lagos Island Local Government in July 2017 as a
member of the All Progressives Congress and won the election, defeating the
second-place participant with over 13,000 votes. He succeeded Hon. Wasiu
Eshinlokun Sanni who ended his tenure in 2014. He was born into the Royal
family of Alhaji Tajudeen Oluyole Olusi and Alhaja Iyabo Olusi as the first
child of the family. He is a Prince and the grandson of Oba Sanusi Olusi (The
Late Eleko). He attended Kuramo Primary
School, Victoria Island and Government College, Victoria Island for his
secondary school education. Adetoyese later proceeded to Kwara State
Polytechnic for his OND and HND degrees in Banking and Finance.
He
obtained a certification in Cooperate Administration from the Nigeria Institute
of Corporate Administration (NICA). Adetoyese Olusi had his first working
experience as a Nigerian Youth Corper where he served as an administrative
trainee officer at the Federal Ministry of Internal Affairs in Oyo State. After his
National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), he went ahead to work for Lagos State
Building Investment & Co. (LBIC) as their Supervisor/Banking Officer.
Adetoyese also worked with Inland Bank Nigeria Plc. as a Supervisor/Clearing
Officer.
To
kick start his political career, Adetoyese was appointed as Public-Private
Partnership (P.P.P) ward party Chairman Ward A3. He got other appointments as
the Assistant Secretary (A.D) and L.G.A Ex Officio (A.C.N) Lagos State Chapter.
Adetoyese
Olusi also served in Lagos Island Local Government in various capacities,
including Supervisor for health under Mrs Aderinola Disu Administration. Vice
Chairman/ Supervisor for Education under Honorable Wasiu Eshinlokun Sanni (2008
-2014). He was the Executive Secretary from 2015 to 2016. A few weeks ago, WALE LAWAL spent some quality time with
this warm and extremely receptive gentleman in his cool but classy looking
office. He spoke specifically about his performance so far and why he is
confident he is returning after the coming elections as the Executive Chairman
of Lagos Island local government.
Last
time we spoke with you was over a year ago and we know that you have done a lot
more for the people of Lagos Island since then. How has it been for you meeting
the expectations of the people?
Well,
I thank God, it’s all been to the glory of God. Yes, like you rightly said, we
have done a whole lot since the last time you were here. We have performed well
even if I must say so myself. In terms of health delivery, social
infrastructure delivery, works and road rehabilitation delivery, vocational
education and formal education delivery, we have not done badly at all. So, in
terms of the creation of job opportunities within that period of time, we have been
able to do quite a few. We hope that by the grace of the Almighty, we are
returning for a second term. The truth is, our scorecard is there to speak for us.
Our performance platform has been showcased and we’ll keep on showcasing it for
people to score our performance. We are expecting our people to support us and
already we are seeing them exhibit a lot of enthusiasm. They are yearning for
us to come back and complete the good works that we have started. We can see
the massive support they’re giving us and I’m sure that by the grace of God,
their desires will become reality.
Share
with us, sir, those pressing projects that are on your mind, that once
elections are over and by the grace of God you’re returned elected these are
the pressing projects you will immediately hit the ground running with?
Yeah,
thank you very much. We have two major pressing projects. We’re lifting our
health centres to a major diagnostic centre and we’re also creating a
revitalized Island. As we speak, we’re elevating our fire service by
collaborating with the Lagos state fire service. We’ll be having two fire
stations. We already have fire truck with us, by the time we come back we will
take delivery of the second truck. Our plan and desire is to have a massive
fire station dedicated to averting what could’ve been disastrous and fatal fire
incidents. This will help us prevent loss of lives and properties as a result
of fire incidents that must surely at some point or the other. We have taken
delivery of the most modern firefighting equipment last year. It is of the same
standard as the fire fighting machinery recently procured by the federal
government. The fire fighting machinery we have is the biggest in Lagos and at
par with that of the federal government. So, we’ll continue to support the
revitalisation of the Island, which is of topmost priority to us. We also want
to regenerate our markets too. We are planning to build a modern market with
all the modern infrastructure. It will be second to none in the city of Lagos.
How
have you dealt with the issue of funding, sir? It’s obvious that a lot of these
projects you’re planning to do, and even some of those that you have already
done are quite cost-intensive, so how have you been able to juggle things and
managing the funds at your disposal?
Yes,
you’re very correct, the funds are quite insufficient for the humongous
projects we have at hand, but we thank God all the same. It’s all about focus.
In some cases, we go into collaboration or partnership with the private sector.
Also, we turn over our funds within the allocation’s IGR to save towards such
problems.
How
did you deal with the pandemic period? How were you able to provide a bit of
succour for your people, knowing you must’ve been under pressure to support yourself
during that very crucial time last year?
We
have been able to support indigenes, residents during the pandemic. The Lagos
state government did the little it could do and we added our bit. We did that
for a period and we had three instalments of support to the people and
residents of Lagos Island within six months.
I
know you had this unique package for your young school pupils, it’s like a
complete school kit where you basically provide all that the child needs to go
school, starting with the uniform, sandals, school bags and writing materials.
Have you been able to sustain this very laudable programme?
Yes,
to the glory of God, we have been able to sustain it. It’s called Complete
Student, it’s an annual programme where we meet every year at the beginning of
every session. We are looking forward to the next one coming soon this
year.
How
confident are you, sir, that there can’t be any shocker with the coming
elections, that you are definitely going to emerge victoriously and return for
second term?
In
politics, you can’t be too confident, but with our performance and the support
of the leadership and that of the citizens and with God we are sure by the
grace of the Almighty that we will return for the second term. We are confident
that massively, the people will support APC, massively they will support
Adetoyese Olusi for a second term by the grace of God going by the performance
of the charts.
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