We are aware that in some quarters, his efforts have been decried as lacking achievements in terms of physical projects. This may not be entirely true if there were repertoires to recall and set the record straight for posterity. To risk the essence of image-making is to allow adversaries to spin the truth about someone whose character is being assassinated.
You are free to choose the life you live that suits you, but you cannot evade the responsibility of the life you choose to live_ sounds aphorism, and indeed true about the future of all individuals across societies, smacks good example about Hon. Ibrahim Olanrewaju Layode, the incumbent Honourable Commissioner for Home Affairs, Lagos State.
When I write and get published, I do not just do it for pleasure, eye service or political expedience, I do it primarily to enrich society, provide opportunity for record purposes and posterity. So, when I profile a personality, sometimes, it happens out of curiosity (nose for news), request from someone or by what somebody said which confers merit of a sample opinion on his or her subject. Given different preferences, the latter informed this publication.
From an eyewitness account, the persona of this story is an epitome of a humble beginning and the fact that he never forgot how he started from grass to grace is worthy of emulation for the upcoming individuals in society. He represents a humble beginning marked by stern struggle, and dint of hard work to make ends meet. Not everyone likes to take enormous risks. Yet, his focus for higher education and becoming a public figure that he is, was unwinding.
In 2019, the erstwhile General Manager of Lagos State Printing Corporation, Alhaji Sakirudeen Odusanya, FCA, once asked me if I experienced life as a labourer, and I said respectfully, “Yes, I did.” That was my ordeal for some years and the fact that it never stopped my desire to pursue my goal of higher studies lends credence to the biblical lesson in the book of 1 Timothy 4:12 “Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.”
The former GM told me of his hustle as one of the first set of the Lagos State University, Ojo. To his credit, he founded the Chartered Accountants Association in the Lagos State Public Service, Alausa, and became the pioneer President. Truly, the motto of success is hard work, but smart work is better nowadays. No doubt, Hon. Ibrahim Layode is a shining example of the dignity of labour like so many others.
From his hustle, he made himself a graduate and more. He rose to achieve an unprecedented four terms as Honourable Member of the Lagos State House of Assembly representing Badagry Constituency 01 with the moniker “OIL 88”. During his era as a legislator, he ably fitted into the saying that “Bi ori kan ba sunwon, a ran igba” (meaning a successful individual propels more individuals into success) well buttresses the eyewitness account on the first Friday, July 2024. Just like the KSA track, “Let them say.”, whatever anyone does, someone somewhere or a group of people will say it behind him or her. Individuals must beware!
The impact of a leader in society cannot be overemphasised. Hon. Ibrahim Layode, according to the eyewitness, had done well by helping his peers from the dust, and for anyone or a few who have refused to make fortunes, he is not answerable for their fault. More often than not, his support during festive periods has been commendable. He has crossed many bridges and today, he earns a formidable team of accolades in the great All Progressive Congress (APC) leading Independent Campaign Group (ICG) that joined other party faithfuls in the last general election which produced President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR and the re-elected Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu and his Deputy, Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat.
We are aware that in some quarters, his efforts have been decried as lacking achievements in terms of physical projects. This may not be entirely true if there were repertoires to recall and set the record straight for posterity. To risk the essence of image-making is to allow adversaries to spin the truth about someone whose character is being assassinated. Therefore, politicians must be aware that they are brands and should understand what it takes to construct their brand identity in the public. It helps to gain “top-of-mind awareness” beyond the ill-feelings that may be harboured against them by any of their beneficiaries.
Reuben Hopo writes from Badagry, Lagos State.