Leadership: Why I left #375,000 as the Party’s Ward Chairman — Hon. Afeez Odunewu
In this interview with Tobi Adetunji, the Former APC Ward Chairman in Surulere, Lagos State, and serving Federal Minister representing Lagos at the Public Complaint Commission, Honorable Afeez Odunewu shares fundamental tips on the importance of Integrity, Loyalty, and Mentorship in leadership. He also harps Youth engagement in the Polity and the roles of the Public Complaint Commission.
Can you kindly introduce yourself sir?
I am Honorable Afeez Odunewu, the Federal Commissioner, representing Lagos State at the Public Complaint Commission and a former Ward Chairman APC Surulere.
You have once served as the APC Ward Chairman Surulere, how did you emerge back then?
Before I delve into your questions, I will first of all give thanks to the Almighty Allah, for giving me the strength and courage to handle that position back then, I will also appreciate my Boss, Mentor and Political godfather, Rt. Honorable Femi Gbajabiamila, who was instrumental to my emergence as the Ward Chairman back then.
What were the successes recorded during your time as the Surulere APC Ward Chairman?
There were numerous successes recorded at that time, but whatever successes you might have heard of, it was the Almighty God that had given me the privilege to achieve it.
Personally, I believe my success stories are also traceable to the ability to work hands-in- hands with my people in Surulere. However, there are key elements that enhance success in politics generally, which include, dedication, loyalty, and the heart of service for the people you are privileged to lead. I think it’s all about putting one’s life on the line in rendering service that is committed to one’s hand, especially as it has to do with people at the grassroots. When the service is dutifully done, it will propel the people whom you have served excellently, to recommend you for higher responsibilities when the opportunity beckons. That is exactly my story.
More importantly, I enjoyed the immeasurable help of some senior citizens in the ward, they were all out to ensure that I succeeded.
Many were aghast, when it was learnt that you handed the sum of #375,000 to the incumbent Surulere APC Ward Chairman APC as part of the party’s properties, what was your motivation for doing that?
My decision to hand over the money to the current Chairman, Honorable Bilikisu, was borne out of my spartan discipline and accountability life style, which I inherited from my late parents. Let me emphasise that I served as the Chairman for eleven years with an outstanding results and unblemished record of integrity. As a matter of fact, if opportunity presents itself, my people at surulere are willing to have me back.
As a Youth in Nigerian politics, what will be your advice to the Youth in terms of political engagement?
The secret is to get involved in politics, which is the only way to make or be the change we wish for. However, what I can deduce from this generation of youth is that they don’t want to be mentored. Some also suffer from bad parenting and those who offer themselves as protégé in some senses, want to graduate so early without learning the nitty-gritty of leadership. The truth is, the only place to start is the beginning. That is, choosing the right mentor and following through procedures. There are templates to follow which include being a card carrying member of the party, coming to party meetings regularly among other things.
What I perceive is that our youths are not ready to make a change, because they want everything to come at ease.
The Ward as a structure is significant to Nigeria Politics, do you think its living up to its expectation?
Oh yes, the Ward as a structure is performing its function as it ought to. The truth is, the Ward is part of the sordid structure as far as Nigeria politics is concerned. For me, I am following a well-organised template, and I will not allow monetary or material things to distract me. My philosophical drive is placing my people first in terms of making them benefit from the dividends of democracy.
Should Lagosian expect more qualitative services and leadership from the APC led government as experienced in the past?
The Success recorded thus far in Lagos State can be traced to the good foundation laid by the All Progressive Congress (APC) National leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Who worked tirelessly in developing the state and making it an envy of other states. Lagos is not only a cosmopolitan state where a lot of people are willing to live, it’s vastly becoming a heaven to many across the nation. This is because of the undeniable works in terms of infrastructural, security and qualitative leadership the state has enjoyed.
That is why many people including myself are of the opinion that the National leader of All Progressive Congress(APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu will make a good President.
Personally, I love his leadership style, he is a man of his words and a very reliable person. That is why he has been able to present capable leaders to lead Lagos State and Nigeria as a whole. For instance, he was instrumental to the emergence of my Mentor, Political Godfather and the Speaker House of Representative, Federal Republic of Nigeria, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila who has been adjudged as the most proactive speaker so far in the political history of this country. The same thing applies to the likes of Mr. Babatunde Fashola, Mr. Ambode, the incumbent Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwolu, and others numerous to mention.
How have you been able to manage your new appointment as a Federal Commissioner Public Complaint Commission?
Well, God has been helping me, for records Public Complaint Commission was established in 1975. To curb administrative and social injustices at all levels, its area of operations covers the Federal, State, Local government, and the private sector registered under CAMA. In substance per its formative role is that of the Alternative Dispute Resolution Centre, (ADR) where aggrieved individuals, organisations, and people who don’t have access to justice for the reason of money can come in to log complaints free of charge.
Meanwhile, the procedures to log in complaints are simple, when an aggrieved person comes with a complaint, he will be given a form to fill. From this information, we will be able to get across to the correspondent.
What we do is simply to mediate between aggrieved individuals through inquiry, mediation, and resolution. The moment we can establish contact between the accused and the respondent, the issue will be resolved within three weeks. Ultimately the Public Complaint Commission aims to ensure that the parties involved mend and resolve their challenges so they can come together as friends.
How does the Public Complaint Commission intend to ensure the awareness gets to the grassroots?
We have been doing a lot in terms of public awareness, but we know we need to do more. What the Commission intends to do next is to go on Radio for jingles, especially in the three major Nigerian Languages. (Hausa, Igbo, and Yoruba) with these, the masses which comprises the illiterate, semi-illiterate, and those who are unjustly treated can benefit from the qualitative services the commission offers. Don’t forget we are the voice of the voiceless.
