Opinion

Ninth Senate @3: Senator Adeola’s Impressive Scorecard

Published

3 years ago

June 24, 2022

Eric

By Kayode Odunaro

On June 11, 2019, the 9th Senate was inaugurated with the emergence of Senator Ahmad Lawan as President of the Senate. On June 11 this year, the Senate clocked 3 years with only about a year before the session expires. As it is, the remaining year of the four-year mandate will be spent mostly on electoral campaigns by candidates for various legislative and executive positions. It is therefore meet for a review of performances of legislators in the last three years. One senator with an enviable scorecard to show case effective representation as a legislator par excellence is Senator Solomon Adeola (APC, Lagos West)

In the three years that had elapsed in the 9th Senate, Senator Adeola sponsored and successfully introduced 14 Bills. Three of the bills have been successfully passed by the 9th Senate, one has passed Second Reading for public hearing while 10 have undergone first reading or in the process of listing for first reading in the crowded legislative time table of the Senate.

The passed bills are “A Bill to Provide for the Establishment of Federal University of Technology, Yaba and other matters, 2020” (SB.85), “A Bill to Provide for the Establishment of the Federal University of Technology, Ilaro (Est, etc), 2019” (SB. 84) and “A Bill for an Act to Provide for the Establishment of Nigeria French Language Village as an Inter University Centre for French Studies and other matters Connected therewith, 2020” (SB.483), These passed bills as well as those in the remaining in process of passage dwells on educational, constitutional and institutional development as well as human rights issues in Nigeria.

There is expectation that the three passed bills will be enacted into laws with concurrence of the House of Representatives and assent by the President before the end of the 9th Senate. Equally the NDCC Amendment bill by Senator Adeola that has passed Second reading will be passed to rightly include Lagos as an oil producing state. The senator as the chairman of Senate Committee on Finance fully contributed and was instrumental to the passage of three critical and unprecedented Executive Bills namely, the Finance Acts 2019, 2020 and 2021. These laws form a major aspect of funding the three Appropriation Acts of 2020, 2021 and now 2022. From all indications the laws are regarded as revolutionary as well as reformist in nature as they positively reform some of the nation’s financial legislations as well as bring such legislations to modern global standard.

In the area of oversight, the senator has successfully moved 8 motions that resulted in Senate Resolutions for which actions are being taken. The motions include that on Ijegun Pipeline Explosion; the motion on Abule-Ado, Amuwo-Odofin Explosion, the motion on Frequent Fire/Explosions in Lagos West Senatorial District, the motion to Reduce the Disparities between Lending and Deposit rates charged by commercial banks and other financial institutions and a commiseration motion for Senate to honour late Senator Munir Muse and another for late Senator Osinowo Adebayo. The two-term ranking senator also co-sponsored no less than 30 other passed motions that resulted in Senate Resolutions.

When COVID-19 pandemic broke out necessitating a prolonged lockdown, Senator Adeola reached out to indigent and vulnerable constituents for sustenance. At the peak of the lockdown of the COVID-19, he donated N50million which was shared among individuals, groups and communities during the extended period of lockdown. This was an unprecedented and unforeseen aspect of his representative function as nobody planned for a pandemic and its debilitating and destructive effects during campaign for offices.

In spite of the disruptive pandemic with negative global socio-economic effects, the senator, using his wealth of legislative experience delivered many dividends of democracy for his constituents in some critical areas that will serve not only many people but will be useful for many years ahead.

In the area of provision of portable water, he facilitated 6 major water works in form of solar powered boreholes and water treatment plants in six (6) LGAs namely; Ikeja, Ifako-Ijaiye, Agege, Oshodi-Isolo, Mushin and Alimosho in 2020. These self- sustaining water projects are located in population centres in the LGAs like markets and densely populated residential areas. He also personally constructed at least a normal borehole in each of the 28 LCDAs and similar number of public toilets spread across the senatorial district. Under the 2021 Budget he facilitated the construction of another 60 solarized boreholes across LGAs and LCDAs of Lagos West Senatorial District making a total of 94 of such water outlets.

Developing human resources in his district got serious attention from the senator as he facilitated the training of over 1000 of constituents in rural riverine communities of Lagos West in different aspects of Fish Production, Business, Feed Making and boat operation over a period of months. Each trained and certificated participant in a programme of “teach a man to fish” were equipped and giving grants to commence business. In addition, he facilitated the training of at least 8000 constituents in vocations such phone repairs, hair dressing, make up artistry, soap/detergent making and sanitizer making skills and entrepreneurship development with participants receiving start up equipment and cash grants. Market men and women are also included in the grants in his programme tagged “Okowo Yayi” meant to assist in shop rent payments and purchase of more stock to boost their trades. Similarly, he facilitated ICT Training for about 1000 unemployed graduates that were certificated internationally at the end of their training in Azure (Cloud Computing), Power BI (Data Analysis), Basic and Advance Excel (Data Analysis), Digital Marketing and Graphic Designs. Each of the participant got a modern laptop for their practice. Hopefully the training and certification will exit them from the unemployment market as these skills are in high demand in the ICT sector locally and internationally.

Similarly, with the realization that many teachers were not online/ICT compliant Senator Adeola facilitated a one-week training for teachers in the state where the rudiment of online teaching were taught to over 147 teachers with due certification. To complement this, he donated two (2) HP Computer laptops to the school authorities of 36 selected schools for the purpose of assisting in online teaching. Equally, he empowered 60 selected best students from secondary schools in Lagos West Senatorial District with computer laptops to encourage excellence.

For constituents desirous of establishment in the booming business of logistic and delivery, he gave out 185 motorcycles to constituents in each ward in the district in 2020. In 2021 he also empowered selected constituents with Block Molding Machines, Refrigerators, Sewing Machines, Grinding Machines, Hair Dryers, Clipper Sterilizers and Generators, Deep Freezers, Tricycles (Keke Napeps) and Vulcanizing Machines, a feat that was repeated at his 2022 edition of the empowerment programme, with the donation of all the above items and more like mini buses(Korope), ambulances, security vehicles and welding machines.

To address deficiencies in power supply the senator facilitated the procurement and installation of 28 units of 500 KVA Transformers which were distributed to communities across the 10 LGAs and LCDAs of the senatorial district. Similarly, he facilitated the provision of 180 poles solar panel street lights which were distributed to 20 major streets in Ojo, Badagry, Ajeromi-Ifelodun, Amuwo-Odofin, Ikeja, Alimosho, Mushin, Ifako Ijaiye, Oshodi-Isolo and Agege LGAs in 2020. In 2021, the distributed transformers were installed while he equally facilitated at least additional 800 poles solar panel street light spread across Lagos West Senatorial District.

On provision of educational infrastructure, the senator facilitated the supply of 750 prefabricated chairs and desks for 13 public nursery and primary schools spread across Lagos West at Ojo, Badagry, Oshodi-Isolo, Mushin and Alimosho. Furthermore, he facilitated the construction and installation of a multi-million-naira Information, Communication and Technology(ICT) centres in two public secondary schools in the district namely Ikotun Senior High School, Ikotun and Muslim College, Egbe. This brings the number of such centres that he facilitated to six as four of such were done by him in the 8th Senate. He also facilitated the construction of state of art Public Library at Adeniran Ogunsanya College of Education, Ijanikin, Lagos State.

Still on educational front, Senator Adeola facilitated the construction of 10 Block of Classroom spread across the three Educational Districts of Lagos West. He distributed educational materials in form of 15,000 textbooks in Mathematics and English Language for selected schools across the senatorial district for JSS1-JSS3 as well as exercise books, modern writing boards, school bags and other learning aids.

Again in 2021, in complementing the effort of State and Local Government authorities in the provision of health care for the citizens, he facilitated the supply of fully 10 Ambulances to be distributed to 10 General Hospitals as well as 10 Child Incubators. Furthermore, 17 Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs) were renovated while three new ones were constructed across the senatorial district. All the PHCs and General Hospitals also received medical equipment and drugs worth over N20 million needed for effective operations over time.

To assist the state government in the provision of security, Senator Adeola facilitated the supply of 8 Hilux SUVs for the Nigeria Police Force with the donation of one each to the 7 Police Area Commands in Lagos West senatorial district and one to the State Police Headquarters.

As part of my alleviating suffering and inconveniences of constituents and others visiting or transiting through our district, the senator facilitated the construction and rehabilitation of 15 inner and rural roads, drainages and culverts with asphaltic finishing. Among them are: 1. Apata Street, Alfa Nla, 2. Ireakari/Fagbile Street, Off Kayode Street, Onipanu, Mushin LGA, 3. Alakija – Navy Town Road, Amuwo Odofin LGA, 4. Oritshe Street, Ikeja LGA, 5. Dotun Adewale Street, Off Dayo Olowo Alimosho LGA, 6. Oko Afa- Ilogbo Road, Olorunda, Badagry LGA, 7. Temidire Road, Mosalasi Bus Stop, Alagbado, Alimosho LGA, 8. Olowologbon Street, Akowonjo, Alimosho LGA, 9. Vespa Market Road, Ijanikin, Ojo 10. Ifelodun / Tanimola Street, Ilasamaja, Oshodi- Isolo LGA, 11. Muyibi Street Ajegunle, Ajeromi Ifelodun LGA, and, 12. Shodipo Street, Olusosun, Off Kudirat Abiola Road Behind Phillips, Ikeja among others.

To boost market infrastructure and commercial activities in the Badagary Division of the senatorial district, Senator Adeola facilitated the construction of 80 Lock up/open roof market stalls in Apa Town, in Badagary. This facility is already in use by constituents. The senator also facilitated employment in Federal Agencies to no less than 30 constituents, ensured that over 100 constituents benefitted from CBN loans to cushion effects of the impact of COVID-19 on businesses from sums ranging from N250,000 to N5million as well as ensured that thousands of constituents benefited from the Special Works Programme of the Ministry of Labour and Productivity with a special payment of N60,000 per participants late last year.

There is no doubt that Senator Adeola is at the forefront of highly performing senators of the 9th Senate. Indeed, he has been ranked among the top 10 in terms of bills sponsorship and passage. He fared relatively well in the projects he was able to deliver for his constituents in the largest senatorial district in terms of population in Nigeria and one is sure that if this area is ranked as was done for bills sponsorship, he will equally fall among the topmost senators in the 109-member Red Chamber. From the projects attracted and executed through him and through his facilitation, there is no doubt he squarely falls within the top 10 in this aspect also and indeed has something to showcase as a top-performing senator.

Chief Kayode Odunaro can be reached via kayodunaro@hotmail.com

Opinion

How Dr. Fatima Ibrahim Hamza (PT, mNSP) Became Kano’s Healthcare Star and a Model for African Women in Leadership

Published

7 hours ago

December 6, 2025

Eric

By Dr. Sani Sa’idu Baba

My dear country men and women, over the years, I have been opportune to watch numerous speeches delivered by outstanding women shaping the global health sector especially those within Africa. Back home, I have also listened to towering figures like Dr. Hadiza Galadanci, the renowned O&G consultant whose passion for healthcare reform continues to inspire many. Even more closer home, there is Dr. Fatima Ibrahim Hamza, my classmate and colleague. Anyone who knew her from the beginning would remember a hardworking young woman who left no stone unturned in her pursuit of excellence. Today, she stands tall as one of the most powerful illustrations of what African women in leadership can achieve when brilliance, discipline, and integrity are brought together.

Before I dwell into the main business for this week, let me make this serious confession. If you are a regular traveler within Nigeria like myself, especially in the last two years, you will agree that no state currently matches Kano in healthcare delivery and institutional sophistication. This transformation is not accidental. It is the result of a coordinated, disciplined, and visionary ecosystem of leadership enabled by Kano State Governor, Engr Abba Kabir Yusuf. From the strategic drive of the Hospitals Management Board under the meticulous leadership of Dr. Mansur Nagoda, to the policy direction and oversight provided by the Ministry of Health led by the ever committed Dr. Abubakar Labaran, and the groundbreaking reforms championed by the Kano State Primary Health Care Management Board under the highly cerebral Professor Salisu Ahmed Ibrahim, the former Private Health Institution Management Agency (PHIMA) boss, a man who embodies competence, hard work, honesty, and principle, the progress of Kano’s health sector becomes easy to understand. With such a strong leadership backbone, it is no surprise that individuals like Dr. Fatima Ibrahim Hamza is thriving and redefining what effective healthcare leadership looks like in Nigeria.

Across the world, from top medical institutions to global leadership arenas, one truth echoes unmistakably: when women lead with vision, systems transform. Their leadership is rarely about theatrics or force; it is about empathy, innovation, discipline, and a capacity to drive change from the inside out. Kano State has, in recent years, witnessed this truth firsthand through the extraordinary work of Dr. Fatima at Sheikh Muhammad Jidda General Hospital.

In less than 2 years, Dr. Fatima has emerged as a phenomenon within Kano’s healthcare landscape. As the youngest hospital director in the state, she has demonstrated a style of leadership that mirrors the excellence seen in celebrated female leaders worldwide, women who inspire not by occupying space, but by redefining it. Her performance has earned her two high level commendations. First, a recognition by the Head of Service following a rigorous independent assessment of her achievements, and more recently, a formal commendation letter from the Hospitals Management Board acknowledging her professionalism, discipline, and transformative impact.

These acknowledgements are far more than administrative gestures, they place her in the company of women leaders whose influence reshaped nations: New Zealand’s Jacinda Ardern with her empathy driven governance, Liberia’s Ellen Johnson Sirleaf with her courageous reforms, and Germany’s Angela Merkel with her disciplined, steady leadership. Dr. Fatima belongs to this esteemed lineage of women who do not wait for change, they create it.

What sets her apart is her ability to merge vision with structure, compassion with competence, and humility with bold ambition. Staff members describe her as firm yet accessible, warm yet uncompromising on standards, traits that embody the modern leadership model the world is steadily embracing. Under her stewardship, Sheikh Jidda General Hospital has transformed from a routine public facility into an institution of possibility, demonstrating what happens when a capable woman is given the opportunity to lead without constraint.

The recent commendation letter from the Hospitals Management Board captures this evolution clearly: “Dr. Fatima has strengthened administrative coordination, improved patient care, elevated professional standards, and fostered a hospital environment where excellence has become the norm rather than the exception”. These outcomes are remarkable in a system that often battles bureaucratic bottlenecks and infrastructural limitations. Her work is proof that effective leadership especially in health must be visionary, intentional, and rooted in integrity.

In a period when global discourse places increasing emphasis on the importance of women in leadership particularly in healthcare, Dr. Fatima stands as a living testament to what is possible. She has demonstrated that leadership is never about gender, but capacity, clarity of purpose, and the willingness to serve with unwavering commitment.

Her rise sends a powerful message to young girls across Nigeria and Africa: that excellence has no gender boundaries. It is a call to institutions to trust and empower competent women. And it is a reminder to society that progress accelerates when leadership is guided by competence rather than stereotypes.

As Kano continues its journey toward comprehensive healthcare reform, Dr. Fatima represents a new chapter, one where leadership is defined not by age or gender, but by impact, innovation, and measurable progress. She is, without question, one of the most compelling examples of modern African women in leadership today.

May her story continue to enlighten, inspire, and redefine what African women can, and will achieve when given the opportunity to lead.

Dr. Baba writes from Kano, and can be reached via drssbaba@yahoo.com

Opinion

Book Review: Against the Odds by Dozy Mmobuosi

Published

2 days ago

December 4, 2025

Eric

By Sola Ojewusi

Against the Odds is an ambitious, deeply personal, and unflinchingly honest memoir that traces the remarkable rise of Dozy Mmobuosi, one of Nigeria’s most dynamic and controversial entrepreneurs. In this sweeping narrative, Mmobuosi reveals not just the public milestones of his career, but the intimate struggles, internal battles, and defining moments that shaped his identity and worldview.

The book is both a personal testimony and a broader commentary on leadership, innovation, and Africa’s future—and it succeeds in balancing these worlds with surprising emotional clarity.

A Candid Portrait of Beginnings

Mmobuosi’s story begins in the bustling, unpredictable ecosystem of Lagos, where early challenges served as the furnace that forged his ambitions. The memoir details the circumstances of his upbringing, the value systems passed down from family, and the early encounters that sparked his desire to build solutions at scale.

These foundational chapters do important work: they humanize the protagonist. Readers meet a young Dozy not as a business figurehead, but as a Nigerian navigating complex social, financial, and personal realities—realities that millions of Africans will find familiar.

The Making of an Entrepreneur

As the narrative progresses, the memoir transitions into the defining phase of Mmobuosi’s business evolution. Here, he walks readers through the origins of his earliest ventures and the relentless curiosity that led him to operate across multiple industries—fintech, agri-tech, telecoms, AI, healthcare, consumer goods, and beyond.

What is striking is the pattern of calculated risk-taking. Mmobuosi positions himself as someone unafraid to venture into uncharted territory, even when the cost of failure is steep. His explanations offer readers valuable insights into:
• market intuition
• the psychology of entrepreneurship
• the sacrifices required to build at scale
• the emotional and operational toll of high-growth ventures

These passages make the book not only readable but instructive—especially for emerging

African entrepreneurs.

Triumphs, Crises, and Public Scrutiny
One of the book’s most compelling strengths is its willingness to confront controversy head-on.

Mmobuosi addresses periods of intense scrutiny, institutional pressure, and personal trials.

Instead of glossing over these chapters, he uses them to illustrate the complexities of building businesses in emerging markets and navigating public perception.

The tone is reflective rather than defensive, inviting readers to consider the thin line between innovation and misunderstanding in environments where the rules are still being written.

This vulnerability is where the memoir finds its emotional resonance.

A Vision for Africa

Beyond personal history, Against the Odds expands into a passionate manifesto for African transformation. Mmobuosi articulates a vision of a continent whose young population, natural resources, and intellectual capital position it not as a follower, but a potential leader in global innovation.

He challenges outdated narratives about Africa’s dependency, instead advocating for
homegrown technology, supply chain sovereignty, inclusive economic systems, and investment in human capital.

For development strategists, policymakers, and visionaries, these sections elevate the work from memoir to thought leadership.

The Writing: Accessible, Engaging, and Purposeful

Stylistically, the memoir is direct and approachable. Mmobuosi writes with clarity and intention, blending storytelling with reflection in a way that keeps the momentum steady. The pacing is effective: the book moves seamlessly from personal anecdotes to business lessons, from introspection to bold declarations.

Despite its business-heavy subject matter, the prose remains accessible to everyday readers.

The emotional honesty, in particular, will appeal to those who appreciate memoirs that feel lived rather than curated.

Why This Book Matters

Against the Odds arrives at a critical moment for Africa’s socioeconomic trajectory. As global attention shifts toward African innovation, the need for authentic narratives from those building within the system becomes essential.

Mmobuosi’s memoir offers:
• a case study in resilience
• an insider’s perspective on entrepreneurship in frontier markets
• a meditation on reputation, legacy, and leadership
• a rallying cry for African ambition

For readers like Sola Ojewusi, whose work intersects with media, policy, leadership, and social development, this book offers profound insight into the human stories driving Africa’s new generation of builders.

Final Verdict

Against the Odds is more than a success story—it is a layered, introspective, and timely work that captures the pressures and possibilities of modern African enterprise. It challenges stereotypes, raises important questions about leadership and impact, and ultimately delivers a narrative of persistence that audiences across the world will find relatable.

It is an essential read for anyone interested in the future of African innovation, the personal realities behind public leadership, and the enduring power of vision and resilience

Opinion

Redefining Self-leadership: Henry Ukazu As a Model

Published

3 days ago

December 3, 2025

Eric

By Abdulakeem Sodeeq SULYMAN

In a world filled with talents and unique gifts, nurturing oneself for an impact-filled living becomes one of the potent metrics for assuming how one’s life would unfold – either in the nearest or far future. I am sure the question you may be curious to ask is ‘what is the important quality that has shaped the life of every individual who has unleashed their ingenuity?’ Apparently, our society is filled with numerous people, who missed the track of their life. Their iniquity is boiled down to one thing – failure to lead oneself.

Realising how important it is to be your own leader has been the springboard for every transformative life. Notably, this also becomes the premise for appreciating and celebrating Henry Ukazu for setting the pace and modeling self-leadership in this era, where self-leadership is under-appreciated by our people. Self-leadership itself engineers purposeful and impactful living, turning individuals to sources of hope to others.

This is exactly what Henry Ukazu symbolises. The name Henry Ukazu is akin to many great things such as ‘Unleashing One’s Destiny,’ ‘Finding One’s Purpose’ and ‘Triumphant Living.’ Regardless of the impression one have formed about Henry Ukazu, one thing you cannot deny is his ability to be pure to nature and committed to his cause. Henry Ukazu is one of the rare people who still believed in the values of the human worth and has committed every penny of his to ensure that every human deserves to live the best life.

The trajectory of Henry Ukazu’s life is convincing enough to be choosing as an icon by anyone who chooses to climb the ladder of self-leadership. Oftentimes, Henry Ukazu always narrate how he faced the storms of life when birthing his purpose. He takes honour in his struggles, knowing full well that every stumbling blocks life throws at him helped in building himself. If not for self-leadership, he will not found honours in his struggles, let alone challenging himself to be an example of purposeful living to others.

Without mincing words, Henry Ukazu’s life has been blessed with the presence of many people, with some filling his life with disappointments, while some blessing him with immeasurable transformations. Surprisingly, Henry Ukazu has never chosen to be treating people negatively; rather he would only choose the path of honour by avoiding drama and let common sense prevail. That’s one of the height of simplicity!

Dear readers, do you know why today is important for celebrating Henry Ukazu? Today, 3rd December, is his birthday and with all sincerity, Henry Ukazu deserves to be celebrated because he has chosen the noble path, one filled with honours and recognitions for being an icon of inspiration and transformation to the mankind. As Henry Ukazu marks another year today, may the good Lord continue shielding him from all evils and guiding him in right directions, where posterity will feel his role and impacts!

Many happy returns, Sir!