By Eric Elezuo

The prestigious Excellence Hotel, located on Ogba, Ikeja, was a beehive of activity over the weekend as David Oluwasegun Odunmbaku, the secretary of Ikeja Local Government Area and the ‘warrior’ son of prolific Lagos politician and accomplished cleric, Cardinal James Odumbaku, declared his intention to contest the chairmanship of Ojudu Local council Development Area in the forthcoming grassroots election.

David Odumbaku is a Harvard trained professional, who had learnt the ropes of administration, berthing at a prestigious office of the secretary of one of the influential local government areas in Lagos State.

Making his declaration, Odumbaku said his mission to Ojudu LCDA is nothing but to serve and continue to serve.

“My passion for the people is what is driving my intention to contest the election. I just want to serve, and deliver the best of the dividend of democracy to the people of Ojudu,” he said.

Speaking however, on his son’s aspirations, Cardinal James Odumbaku, popularly known as Baba Eto, who is a revered politician in Lagos and preacher of the word, said David is endowed with the can-do-attitude to deliver good governance to the people of the council and beyond.  he said that David has passed through time and tutelage, and is very fit to handle the dictates of the office of the chairman, according to party rules.

“David Olusegun Odumbaku has been council secretary in Ikeja Local Government for four years under Honourable Wale Ogunlami without blemish. He was supposed to be chairman in the first instance, but Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu said no he has to learn.

“Again in the second leg, Asiwaju said he should not go for the chairmanship, but go for the secretary position, which is the power house of any local government administration so that he can learn more. Now, another four years is gone, or about to expire. So it behoves on me to encourage him after having a very excellent education in Europe. He is a Harvard alumnus. His academic achievements are voluminous that I can’t run it offhand, but his resume is a clear indication of what I’m saying,” Odumbaku said as a matter of fact.

He added that David Odumbaku is a power house of experience and knowledge, having learnt from his father, who himself was taught by the prolific Bola Ahmed Tinubu. He further praised Tinubu for his democratic principles and  as the brain behind the establishment of the Ojudu LCDA among others, saying he supervised the establishment on behalf of Tinubu.

“What David has in stock as a son of a politician, who himself was trained by Tinubu, is a testimony of the fact that he can’t fail, and that is because he has never failed.

“We are proving to the world that David Odumbaku is capable of running the administration of Ojudu LCDA, which of course I am the founding father, acting on instruction by Asiwaju that we should go and make some adjustment from the existing 20 local governments to 57 with additional 37 LGAs.

“So today, we are showing the world today through Ojudu LCDA what Odumbaku David is all about. Because we believe in democracy of which Tinubu is the bedrock, we are confidence that he will win the next election as Ojudu LCDA chairman, and even beyond. It may interest you to know that everyone is ably represented at this declaration exercise; leaders, community representatives, artisans and many more. The youths must grow…that’s the slogan of Asiwaju,” Odumbaku added.

“On why he chose to use his son at this time, having been instrumental to establishing many Lagosians politically and otherwise, Odumbaku said:

“I chose my son at the very last. You know I have been sponsoring other people with my money and personality, with the permission and blessing of Asiwaju Tinubu, putting people in respective positions in politics, ministry, local government administration, but I decided to sponsor my own child in the final analysis, and not without the blessing of Asiwaju.

“Now, I reasoned that with God-given opportunity and permission of Asiwaju Tinubu, I should try my own biological son, who is knowledgeable and has the capacity to handle things according to the dictates of our great party, All Progressives Congress (APC). Note that everyone is my son, however,” Odumbaku further revealed.

He remarked that time has come for Tinubu to run the affairs of the country, Nigeria, having paid his dues in raising men and women of substance to man various political arms of the nation.

“And for the avoidance of doubt, I am not only desirous of David Odumbaku becoming the Chaiman of Ojudu LCDA, also that Asiwaju becomes the President of Nigeria – QED,” he concluded.

The Lagos State LGA polls is expected to hold in June.

The Chairman, Lagos State Environmental and Special Offences Unit (Taskforce), CSP Shola Jejeloye, has said that there is no going back in his administration’s decision to free Lagos State from the shackles of indiscipline, traffic offences and other attendant delinquencies that have limited its move to the smart city status.

CSP Jejeloye made the remarks in Lagos when the executive members of the National Association of Online Security News Publishers (NAOSNP) led by its President, Mr. Samson Oki, paid him a courtesy visit in his office.

In his address, he lauded the efforts of the association for expressing interest in and identifying with the agency, adding that they are trying to do their best to ensure that laws and orders are obeyed in Lagos State.

Jejeloye expressed satisfaction with the visit, especially at such a time to share ideas and talk about the issues that bother on the wellbeing of Lagosians in particular, and Nigerians in general.

“Apart from the fact that law and order must be obeyed; the protection of lives and property is equally one of our primary responsibilities. And in a situation whereby law and order are not obeyed, then lives and properties cannot be protected. That’s why we decided to make our decision irreversible to ensure that the state is free from crimes, hoodlums and other kind of social menace,” he said.

The Chairman used the opportunity to call on celebrities to be advocates of discipline and positive role models to the youths, who will be trained as Medical Doctors, Engineers among others instead of wasting money going abroad hire expatriates to come and do our jobs for us.

“Who will do that work when all of them want to turn to Naira Marley? What is the meaning of celebrity? I don’t know the meaning? In those days, celebrities were like role models and those that make sacrifices for the society. They instill morals into the society. Not anymore. The only morals we enjoy now is just naked life, very naked life,” Jejeloye lamented.

“The responsibilities of our office is multifaceted, therefore, our decision is not to rest on our oars. Our task is not limited to traffic offenders hence we want to take it to the market places where these people will feel the impact.

“Don’t be tired of us. Continue to give us the needed support. Use the little knowledge and experience you have acquired to be a vehicle of change. Money is not only corruption; the abuse of power is also corruption.

“Let us continue to work together because without you, there is no us. We try to toil the part of the law and not suffer backlash. Posterity is a time keeper and time is a great healer.”

On the use of drugs by commercial drivers, Jejeloye explained that almost 80% of the drivers take drugs. Therefore, we have had meetings with their leaders, educated and enlightened them on the dangers of use of drugs.

“I implore passengers and commercial drivers to make effective use of officially recognised bus stops to minimise attacks by miscreants as most of them stay at odd places outside officially approved bus stops.

While congratulating the Chairman for his recent appointment and promotion, NAOSNP President, Mr Oki said since the coming on board of Jejeloye, significant changes have been experienced, especially in the mode of operation that has brought tremendous calmness to driving within the metropolis.

‘Yes, Asiwaju is the next President of Nigeria. I am a prophet of God not of doom’ were the exact words of the ebullient Cardinal James Odunmbaku popularly called Baba Eto in the political fold when he had a brief chat with delegates of the National Association of Online Security News Publishers (NAOSNP) in the Lagos headquarters of his church.

The candidacy of the national leader of the All Progressives Congress, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the religious cum political Cardinal believes is the sine qua non that Nigeria needs to make huge progress, ‘that is the project we have. That’s the project every Nigerian should have. Give me a leader who has produced councillors, chairmen, supervisory chairmen, house of representatives, house of assembly, governors, senators, and so on. This is the only time we have to pay him back as there is no going back because God Himself wants a peaceful government that will be chaired by Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu insha Allah. I have so much confidence in him.’

‘I am a prophet of God not of doom. I don’t prophesy because I need money from you. I am a blessed prophet because I am satisfied with what God gives to me’.

On current agitation from youths, Baba Eto advised: ‘Nobody is saying don’t fight for your rights but do it with all sense of spirituality and responsibility so that hoodlums will not take over what you are trying to do. The ego of Nigerians have been bastardized for years. But please, the people should also try and see what this government is trying to put together.’

He advised all Nigerians to embody the virtues of patience and endurance by which all challenges can be overcome, ‘Nigerians need to be patient. You cannot have a child today and the child will walk and talk the same day. You are joking.’

‘Nigeria is on course. Nigeria will not go down. Nigeria will not be devastated. Nigeria will be a country to emulate. Nigeria will be a country to be emulated worldwide’, the spiritual leader prophesied.

The spirited man of God and devoted leader of the governing All Progressives Congress (APC) was presented with the Patron Certificate of the National Association of Online Security News Publishers (NAOSNP) during the precise and impactful interview in which he recommended journalists to uphold the truth. ‘Let honesty be your policy and the sky will be your starting point. Be truthful in all your engagement’.