Princess Samiat Abolanle Bada. Executive Chairman, Ikosi-Isheri LCDA. |
The
first time I had a feel of what grassroots politicking is about was in 2003 or
thereabout, after the creation of Agboyi-Ketu LCDA and Chief Mrs Yetunde
Arobieke was appointed the first Executive Secretary, before the elections that
brought her in as again, the first Executive Chairman of the LCDA.
I had
a complete feel of what it meant to govern people at the grassroots level, a
job she did with all that was in her, as though her life depended on it, that
till date, her performance as the Chairman of the LCDA is still a reference
point for those who lived or still living around that environment.
Today,
she is the Commissioner for Wealth Creation and Employment, after her stint as
Commissioner for Local Government and Community Affairs, two positions no one
would have gotten if not for a rich CV filled with past performances that
stands her out amongst her equals.
After
Chief Arobieke’s exit from Local Government administration, I didn’t have
anything worthwhile with the grassroots, except for occasional associations
with Counselors, House of Assembly members, very high-handed local Government
Chairmen and their likes, but in the last few months, I have discovered another
grassroots politician in Lagos with the heart that reaches to the exact people
that need touch.
Sworn
in as Chairman of the LCDA late January 2020, what this young lady has achieved
within the period under review is beyond imagination and the performance of a
three term Local Government Chairmen put together.
Mayoress Princess Samiat Bada Precious as she is
fondly called has shown that truly, LEADERSHIP SKILLS have nothing to do with
gender, age or appearance.
I say
this because I had had long relationship with Princess when she was the Vice
Chairman of the LCDA and truth be told, I am shocked at the manifestations of
herself I am seeing now, as she never appeared to me as one who would have the
kind of strength, resilience, abilities and coordination she has churned out
since she took over as Chairman.
Looks
they say, deceives, and to me, I was deceived by her AJEBO LOOK, that I totally
get amazed at what I see her display now, as though she had gone to a School of
Local Government Administration somewhere, preparing for a time such as now,
but we all know how this came to be.
Mayoress Bada with some her support base. |
And
in this period, Mayoress has risen to the occasion for her people, traversing
through the length and breadth of Ikosi-Isheri LCDA, providing food, water,
other items and everything that makes life at this time worth living to those
who need them more.
I
personally had joined her entourage on a few occasions to these locations and I
saw, FIRST HAND, the distribution of these items to the poor in all the
communities in Ikosi-Isheri and I can attest to the fact that Princess is a
rare gem, an embodiment of kindness and a grassroots development agent whose
political potentials are as bright as the stars.
From
ISHERI OLOWOIRA, ORISA, to MAGODO PHASE 1 and 2, IKOSI OKE, IKOSI ISALE, KETU,
AYEDERE AND AJIBOLA, MILE 12 AGILITI 1 and 2 and AJEGUNLE, Princess Bada went
and is still going round, sharing the kindness and love her people need at this
point in time, and meeting them at the points of those needs, an attribute that
has greatly endeared her to them very richly.
I am
proud to call Mayoress Samiat Abolanle Bada my friend, for she has not
disappointed me one bit, especially now, and for rising to the occasion, Heaven
will honour her.
Until
I see another, Mayoress stands tall amongst her peers across the 57 grassroots
organs in Lagos, a proud Role Model to girl-children and a reference point to
other female politicians aspiring to hold political offices like she has.
Well
done Mayoress, and congratulations for not disappointing some of us your
friends who hold you at high esteem.
The
part two of this will bring you reactions from some of these grassroots men and
women whose lives have been touched by their Local Government Chairman.
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