LAHA 2019: SAHEED IBIKUNLE RESPONDS TO PEOPLE'S VOICE, DECLARES INTENTION FOR IKORODU CONSTITUENCY 1 SEAT. | Shakiru Seidu "I've remained very active and prompt in the forefront for the betterment of our community," he reveals.

As 2019 approaches, political office holders and hopefuls are coming out to either seek re-election or make know their intentions to contest for various political positions as freshmen. In the same vein, Hon Saheed Oladapo Ibikunle, an erudite academia who as helped the educational development of many Ikorodu sons and daughters since 1990, has declared his intention to represent Ikorodu Constituency 1 in the Lagos State House of Assembly. He made this known on Friday when he addressed newsmen and his followers and also reeled out his plans in the event that he is elected.

Otunba Saheed Oladapo Ibikunle, a 1992 graduate of physics from the prestigious University of Lagos. He had PGD & M.Sc. in Computer Science and M.Ed. in Educational Administration & Planning all from University of Lagos.

Saheed Oladapo Ibikunle distinguished himself as an expert in education management practices and won numerous awards as a multi-talented scholar and administrator.

He has therefore developed and interest in running an academic enterprise. The birth of Ultimate Education Concept (UEC) is the outcome of his enterprise and one of his major achievements.

Saheed Oladapo Ibikunle also played a significant role in the establishment of Lagos State Polytechnic, School of Part-time Studies, Annex of the institution between 1999 and 2015. He has no doubt contributed in no small measure to Human Capital Development of the nation at large.

As a politician, Saheed Ibikunle stands out bold and inspiring having put himself forward to serve his people at different times in different capacities. In 2001, he was appointed Secretary, Caretaker Committee for Ikorodu L.G.A. of Alliance for Democracy. In 2002, he served in a committee that midwifed the creation of additional 37 local councils in Lagos State.

In 2004, he was appointed Senior Legislative Aide to Hon. Abike Dabiri Erewa in 2006, apart from serving as a key member of a Governing Council of the Lagos State Polytechnic, he has also hold various committees such as Appointment and Promotion Committee (AP & C), State of Origin Verification Committee (S.O.V.C) and Technical Committee of the Tenders Board of the council.

He also served as the Secretary to the Ikorodu Local Government (SLG) between 2008 and 2011. In recognition of his robust and promising profile, he was appointed the Senior Special Assistant on Education Management by his Excellency, the Executive Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola, (SAN) in August 2011.
Saheed Ibikunle popularly referred to as Omoluabi by his teeming fans lives in Ikorodu.

He is revered and adored everywhere for his simplicity, philanthropic gestures, leadership qualities, high sense of humour, belief in human relations, pragmatic approach to issues and selflessness.

While addressing MegaXpression Magazine and lots of people in attendance, Ibikunle said: “Let me, first of all, express my profound gratitude to Almighty God and appreciation to all of you for honouring my invitation to attend this epoch-making ceremony at short notice, despite your busy schedules. Indeed this is a true demonstration of your support towards the call for a new dawn in Ikorodu Constituency 1, it is not just for my own ambition, but those who have the true power and have called me to be their mouthpiece.

“The purpose for gathering here is to formally declare my intention to contest as the member representing Ikorodu Constituency 1 in the Lagos State House of Assembly come 2019 by the divine mandate of the Almighty God. I am not new to you because I have been here with you. Besides, all of you can attest to the fact that in all of these, I have also remained very active and prompt in the forefront for the betterment of our future.

“Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, I have not come to give you a promise of what I have acquired but to know how well we will work together to avoid the errors and mistakes of the past. We have gone through a lot and deserve to make a bold step forward out of the norms; we have to alter the status quo that has existed which empowers a certain cabal to impose candidates on us without us making our rightful choice. That is why I have decided to come here to solicit for your support and voice as your next House of Assembly representative come 2019.

“I believe this is not for anything else, rather than the love and good intentions all of us have for Ikorodu Constituency 1, but using different approaches. That is, however, the beauty of democracy – respect for diversity! As we approach 2019, I want to use this opportunity to urge you all to ensure you have your Permanent Voters Card (PVC), Party membership Cards and guard it jealously, let us not trade it for what will only sustain us for a day but let us use it to make the right decisions for our generations unborn.

“I strongly believe with togetherness, our collective constituency and interest are bigger and more powerful than our individual wills and might. We must therefore not seek pride in blackmailing ourselves when the going gets tough."

Saheed Ibikunle further reiterated that his aspiration to represent Ikorodu Constituency 1 at the Lagos State House of Assembly is a direct response to the yearnings of the people for fresh approach and new ideas in the political representation at the State Assembly.

He assured of quality representation and agreed to sponsor bills that will be of benefit to his people and Lagos State at large. Some of which includes:

FRESH INNOVATIVE BILLS:
Recognizing the place of effective legislation as the primary duty of a legislator, "I shall work with my colleague and other stakeholders to sponsor and promoted. Fresh Innovative and need-oriented bills for our dear state," Ibikunle assured.

REPOSITIONING IKORODU FOR BETTER POLITICAL DEALS
"Ikorodu’s political relevance in the state and among comity of divisions requires FRESH approach. We cannot continue to complain of ‘marginalization’ when we are yet to change our approach to legislative representation.

"I, with your support will work with other stakeholders, within and outside the Constituency towards strengthening, repositioning and ensuring a positive turn-around in our political experience," he said.

EDUCATION, ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT & EMPLOYMENT PROMOTION
"Education is right of every Nigerian Child. As a Veteran Education Administrator and Consultant of over 25years, I shall use my Mandate to lobby the state government to create more public schools across Ikorodu Constituency 1.

"I shall also promote the
Primary Education Regeneration and Control Bill, Technical and Vocational Education Industry-Based Integration Bill

SECURITY OF LIVES AND PROPERTY
"Security of lives and property of citizens is the primary responsibility of any government. With the trend of insecurity being experienced across Ikorodu Community, I will collaborate with security agencies to arrest the situation.
I shall also institute the Ikorodu Security Trust Fund (ISTF) as a financial pool to assist the security agencies in the discharge of their constitutional duties.

SENIOR CITIZENS WELFARE INITIATIVE
"The aged who had spent their productive years serving the state (formally of informally) deserve special attention.

"The senior Citizen initiative would harvest the data of the elderly, profile them and create a SPECIAL status for them to have access to qualitative health care delivery, monthly upkeep, respect and special treatment in the society.

"HEALTH INSURANCE
Health is Wealth. A healthy people are a productive people. Hence, I shall promote health insurance bill for the good people of our state, particularly the low-income earners who represent the large chunk of my constituents Ikorodu Constituency 1.

"This is in addition to several social welfare and pro-poor initiatives for the widows, youths, market men and women as well as the indigents in Ikorodu Community. Primary, I shall encourage participatory and bottom-up developments, while I lead from behind.

"These and more are my social contract with the people of Ikorodu Constituency 1 because you deserve more," Otunba Saheed Ibikunle explained.

The declaration continued as he proceeded to the 'Factor Corridor' where he met another group of professionals.

SHAKIRU SEIDU
CEO/Editor-in-Chief, MegaXpression Magazine.
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