“It is now more than ever necessary that political leaders be outstanding for honesty, integrity, and commitment to the common good.”
Hon. Mojisola Badmus is an action-oriented politician with an excellent and remarkable personality. She is very loyal to the APC party leadership from top to bottom, with undiluted love for the development of her community. She is best known for her activeness and incredible character; she always works in value-added roles, which is part of what transformed Igando/Ikotun LCDA and its environs into the spotlight of greatness in Lagos. Hon. Mojisola Badmus has been described as an exceptional vice chairman with a heartwarming and kind personality. Her administrative skills are perfect; her sense of humility deserves accolades; and her commitment and dedication to duties are incomparable. Mojisola Badmus is distinct in her appearance and approach to issues; she is loved by the majority of the Council’s staff, politicians, and other residents of Igando-Ikotun LCDA. No wonder, within her short term in the office, she has been accorded various awards by many organizations, religious organizations, and social clubs.
Recently, the Elitist Media Team, Prince Afolabi, and Elizabeth Idim paid a courtesy visit to the office of Hon. Mojisola Badmus, where she enumerated her role in shaping the lives of Girl children within the Igando/Ikotun LCDA. She also talked about some of the community development projects the administration has embarked on since they resumed office.
Who is Hon. Mojisola Badmus?
Hon. (Mrs.) Mojisola Badmus, the Vice Chairman of the Ikotun/Igando LCDA, is a goal-getter and a hardworking woman who believes in working round the clock and exploring any positive means. “I love making sure that any responsibility under my watch is perfectly done”. I hail from the Family of Alhaji Jimoh Adio Balogun of Iganmu,Surulere, Lagos. I began my elementary education at Coker Primary School, Orile Iganmu Surulere, Lagos, after which I proceeded to Itolo Girls Secondary School, Eric Moore Surulere. After my Secondary Education, I gained admission into Kwara State Polytechnics, where I bagged a diploma in Law. After that, I got admitted to Lagos State University (LASU), where I studied Banking and finance, and I bagged a second degree in Business Administration from The Prestigious Lagos State University.
How long have you been in politics?
My father is a renowned politician, so I was born into politics, and as a child, I grew up to know my father as a politician. His party members do hold lots of meetings in our house. In a nutshell, I learned the rudiments of political games from my Dad. He made me understand that politics is all about service to humanity and the ability to handle public funds judiciously. The knowledge I gathered while studying at Lagos State University as a member of the Student Union also contributes to my political knowledge. Before I became the Vice Chairman of Igando/Ikotun LCDA, I carried out a lot of youth empowerment and self-developmental programs from my personal savings. like the payment of tuition fees for many out school children. I registered a good number of women for vocational training, some for skills like hairdressing, barbering, tailoring, catering, and lots more. I had a case years ago where a woman got pregnant by a man, and I encouraged her to return to school, and today she is a graduate and she owns her own school. I am of the school of thought that says things can always get better only with our constant positive effort.
Agitation for gender equality in Nigeria’s political corridor—what is your take?
If you have it, flaunt it. The female gender has a larger population, so women should take the lead politically. We have more than 60% women in our national population in Nigeria. Women are house managers, and politics starts at home. A woman is the most appropriate person when it comes to managing home affairs. I encourage all women to buckle up and live up to expectations. I lost my husband at the age of 39. Many believe that was the end, but I picked up my courage and moved ahead. I encourage all men to always prepare for their children, because tomorrow is not certain.
How can you describe your principal, Hon. Ayinde Akinsanya?
Kind words are not enough to describe him. He is a man of reputable character; he is upright in nature, a highly responsible man, a man of his words, and a lover of his people. I can confidently say my principal officer, Comr. Ayinde Akinsaya, is a Good man and a strong-minded, hardworking leader. We started working from day one, immediately after our swearing-in ceremony. We swing into action. He is a team leader. He allows me to explore my potential. He saddled me with lots of responsibility and gave me a good sense of belonging. I thank God for having him as my partner, a leader who always gives me room to fly.
What are your administrative points on the agenda for Igando/Ikotun LCDA?
Talking of ‘Ileri Oluwa, our administrative theme we use the blueprint of our visionary Governor in Lagos State, Gov. Babajide Olusola Sanwolu. We choose to work with his existing agenda, which includes good education, better health care, a good road network, transportation, careerism, and more. To mention a few among the numerous projects that our administration has achieved. Ikotun Health Care Center was razed by fire during the End Sars protest. We rehabilitated and rebuilt the building with modern facilities.
Again, before our resumption, there were lots of bushes and tall trees around the secretariat, but today the environment has a new look that is also aimed at good security. We ensure sanity within the secretariat. We have built a good, ultramodern market at Ikotun. We constructed drainage down to the central canal at Ikotun Market, which made way for the free flow of erosion. To rekindle the hope of a future leader, we purchased two plots of land at the Ayenwale Community School area of Isheri. The construction of the school is ongoing. Talking of the welfare of our people, we trained many youth and women on vocational skill study and provided working tools such as grinding machines, Pop Corn machines, clippers, Sowing machines for Fashion designers, dryers for hair stylists, and more. We organized football tournaments for the youths to enhance youth empowerment programs.
How have you been able to impact your immediate community as a public official, especially after becoming the vice chairman of the Igando/Ikotun LCDA?
I am from the Ijegun axis of the LCDA. So immediately we came on board, I knew the needs of our people in the Ijegun community, so I showed my chairman the needs of my community, on which we are working. For instance, the construction on going on Alli Momodu Street at Ijegun community; we also constructed a borehole at the community junction to help our people access healthy water. Primary health care center at Kudebu Street. We gave a new face to the health care center. I have sponsored health programme, paid for aenia and fibroid surgery for my constituents.
Calling for local government autonomy. What is your position?
Local Government Autonomy is non-negotiable. This is a matter of necessity, not an option, because our politics is local, our people’s wellbeing is local, and our democracy is local, so Local Government Autonomy is the best option to explore. Even the definition of democracy points towards local autonomy, which will fast-track development. There is so much agitation at the local government level with so few resources. We have more needs and demand from our people but fewer resources. So Local Government Autonomy is essential.
What are your political projections for the near future?
From day one, my vision has been to serve humanity. I would love to serve humanity at all levels because service to humanity cannot be restricted to a particular level, even at the international level. I will keep serving humanity as long as the opportunity is open at any level, whether state, federal, or international.
Tell us about developmental projects that have been embarked on since the beginning of this very administration.
We constructed Olukotun Primary School, and we built more schools and fenced them around. Presently, construction is ongoing on Adesina Obinaike Street, Ijegemo Road and Dosu Ekunrin, Egan. This is part of our administration achievement. And more developmental works in pipeline.
What are your expectations from the new government of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu?
We thank God for giving us the likes of Asiwaju Bola Hamed Tinubu, who know how to fix a round peg in a round hole. He has done it for Lagos State, which generates lots of employment and increases internal revenue. When it comes to internal revenue generation, he is a specialist. Asiwaju is my role model. He wishes to contribute his quota to the development of his father’s land. I strongly believe that this new administration will put Nigeria in a better place among the global community.
Apart from your political portfolio, do you engage in other businesses?
Yes, I Do! As a political officeholder who means business in service to humanity, you need to go the extra mile to get more income. Before I assumed political office, I had chains of businesses. I am the CEO of BMA Investments and I am equally into transportation. I still do some business even after I resume my office as vice chairman. I deal in sales of Sugar, flour, and other local food stuffs so that I will have enough resources to achieve my aim of serving humanity. With my private business, I will have enough resources to serve humanity.
After your tenure as Igando/Ikotun LCDA Executive Vice Chairman, what would you love to be remembered for?
For impacting the lives of Igando and Ikotun LCDA members. for uprightness and pro-activeness.
As a woman in politics, what is your plan for the girl child around Igando/Ikotun LCDA?
I always do that as part of my life. She should believe in herself that there is no level she cannot reach. She should believe that she was not created to be just a sitting housewife. There is no position a man cannot attain that a woman cannot attain, and finally, a girl child should be responsible.
What is your advice to young Nigerians who are looking up to you?
They should shun violence and embrace peace at all times. They need to get educated and lead a responsible life. They need to deviate from excessive Alcohol intake and the smoking of Indian herbs. Above all, always learn from good leaders and use their lives as a yardstick.
What are your additional messages?
I want to use this opportunity to appreciate my immediate family and my dear mother for being my backbone and supportive pillar. I am thanking my children for abiding by our family rules. My special appreciation goes to my political leaders, Alhaji Abdallah Ayinde Enilolobo, who believe in me and have assigned me responsibilities without looking back. I thanked Hon. Jimoh Ajao, the Apex Leader of Ikotun/Igando LCDA, and Comrade Ayinde Akinsanya, Executive Chairman of Igando/Ikotun LCDA, for their brotherly and fatherly love with constant support. I cannot appreciate all of you enough, and I pray God bless you all. I will equally love to appreciate the women of Ikotun Igando LCDA for your constant show of Love. God bless you all.
