When public office becomes moral duty

When public office becomes moral duty

Yayi, Iyabo Obasanjo

A senator representing Ogun West and the APC governorship candidate for Ogun State, Sen Solomon Adeola fondly called Yayi. Photo: APC

History remembers men not merely for the positions they occupy, but for the lives they transformed. Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola stands as one of those rare leaders whose public service has consistently been defined by vision, compassion and an unwavering commitment to the welfare of the people. He places national interest above sectional consideration.

From his humble beginnings to becoming one of Nigeria’s most accomplished legislators and a seasoned political figure, Adeola has remained a shining example of what purposeful leadership should represent. His journey reflects resilience, hard work, perseverance, competence and an enduring belief that leadership is a responsibility to serve, not an opportunity to be served.

Adeola became a chartered accountant at a very young age. He is a member of many professional bodies, including the Chartered Institute of Taxation and the Association of Accounting Technicians. Today, he is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Nigeria and a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Taxation.

Throughout his years in public office, he has distinguished himself through impactful legislation, sound financial reforms and a firm pursuit of accountability. His contributions have extended beyond policy-making to initiatives that have directly improved the lives of countless Nigerians. Roads have been constructed, schools strengthened, healthcare supported, communities electrified, water projects executed, youths empowered through education and vocational training, and vulnerable citizens given renewed hope through various humanitarian interventions. Indeed, he has touched thousands of lives.

As a young, visionary and community-centred democrat, during the regime of General Sani Abacha, Senator Olamilekan made his voice heard against military rule and the revalidation of the June 12 Mandate for Chief MKO Abiola, of blessed memory. Following Nigeria’s return to democratic rule in 1999, Senator Olamilekan began his philanthropic activities in his community, the Alimosho area of Lagos State, focusing on improving the welfare of his people and community. In a few years, Luck smiled at him as he was nominated and won the primary of the then-ruling party, the Alliance for Democracy, and was subsequently elected as a member representing Alimosho State Constituency 2 at the Lagos State House of Assembly from 2003 to 2007, and subsequently from 2007 to 2011.

From his earliest days as a young legislator in the Lagos State House of Assembly, Senator Bola Tinubu, President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, has been a pivotal figure in his political development. The President’s mentorship, confidence in his abilities, and unflinching support have been instrumental to his political success; this is indeed not far-fetched, as it is evident in Senator Olamilekan’s leadership style. Senator Adeola’s significant impact in nation-building earned him the prestigious National Award, Commander of the Order of the Niger, by the Late President Muhammadu Buhari.

During Adeola’s tenure as a legislator in the Lagos State House of Assembly, his tremendous impacts as the House Committee on Finance saw to the land mark financial legislations that was influential to the administration of Tinubu, most especially, the establishment of the Lagos Internal Revenue Service as an autonomous body, which increased the Lagos IGR from N600m to N20bn and presently increased to N75bn monthly. This indeed strengthened the state revenue base. This further proved to Senator Tinubu that he is indeed a round peg in a round hole, thereby endearing him to Tinubu to date.

His remarkable political career in Lagos as a two-time House of Assembly member, one-time member of the House of Representatives and two-time Senator representing Lagos West Senatorial District earned him widespread respect as an astute legislator and advocate for good governance. Yet, rather than resting on past achievements, he extended his passion for service to Ogun State, investing his time, resources and influence in programs that continue to uplift communities and improve lives.

Despite these undeniable contributions in both Lagos and Ogun States, some still attempt to question his identity as an indigene of Ogun State. Such debates, however, cannot diminish the fact that his paternal and maternal roots are firmly linked to Ogun State, nor can they overshadow the remarkable impact he has had across the state and Nigeria as a whole. Ultimately, history honours those who serve faithfully, and service remains the strongest testimony of belonging.

Solomon Olamilekan, the son of Pa Ayinde Abdul-gafar Adeola. Ogunleye hailed from Ago Ishaga, Pahayi, Ilaro of Yewa South LGA. Senator Olamilekan is also a proud son of Itoku, Kemta, Abeokuta by virtue of his Maternal lineage.

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What sets Senator Adeola apart is not only the projects he has delivered or the offices he has held, but the consistency with which he has placed people at the centre of his leadership. His life demonstrates that true greatness is measured by the opportunities created for others, the hope restored to struggling families and the positive legacy left behind for future generations. As a two-time former House of Assembly member in Lagos, a one-time House of Representatives member and three-time Senator of the Federal Republic, he has sponsored over 44 bills in total. Daily Trust reported that  Adeola consistently ranks among the top lawmakers for bill sponsorship in the Nigerian Senate.

Yayi’s emergence as a senator representing Ogun West at the 10th assembly has not only brought succour to Ogun West but to the entire state without leaving any constituency untouched (Indeed the Kó se lerí Senator), taking into consideration his ground-breaking and record-breaking projects.

In the area of roads, Adeola has been able to construct and asphalt 10 roads in Imeko Afon LGA, 15 roads in Ipokia LGA, 15 roads in Yewa North LGA, 40 roads in Yewa South LGA and 26 roads in Ado-Odo LGA. Yayi, notwithstanding his constituency, constructed 11 roads in Ogun Central with 79 solar-powered streetlights and 21 shuttle buses in various tertiary institutions. He has distributed over 81 transformers.

As a committed democrat, in Ogun East, in power and electricity, he executed a rural electrification project in 24 communities, solar streetlights in 43 communities, solar boreholes in nine communities and 24 buses, all in Ogun East Senatorial District. In fact, none of the core developmental areas has been neglected – Education, Technology, Youth Employment Generation, Agriculture and Food Security, People Engagement, Entertainment and Tourism have all been given adequate attention.

In the area of mechanised farming, it is worthy of praise that Senator Solomon provides farming equipment and input for over 130,000 farmers; he further provided capacity-building training for over 100,000 youths. To crown it all, in education and human capacity development, Senator Adeola has consistently provided bursaries and scholarships for over 11,500 students from 2023 to 2026, with more than 50 newly constructed classrooms across Ogun West Senatorial District.

In the area of health, he has constructed over 24 primary health centres. He made provisions for newly and well-furnished Police Stations.

As a Lawyer who is dedicated to humanitarian service, youth development and community advancement, I proudly celebrate Distinguished Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola (YAYI), and his amiable wife, Chief Mrs Temitope Adeola Yayi, for their outstanding contributions to nation-building and human development. Senator Adeola’s dedication to excellence, compassion for humanity and commitment to sustainable progress continue to inspire individuals and organisations striving to make meaningful differences in society.

To whom much is given, much is expected, and this is expected to be seen in favour of Yayi on election day. May his legacy of integrity, selfless service and transformative leadership continue to illuminate the path for generations yet unborn.

I indeed salute a distinguished statesman, a compassionate philanthropist and a leader whose footprints will remain indelible in the sands of time.

Habib, a lawyer, advocate for good governance, community and youth development, writes  adebiyihabibt@gmail.com7777