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‘I feel my age, there are things I can no longer do’ – Hon. Wahab Alawiye-King @ 50

HON. Wahab Alawiye-King is a two-term member of Lagos House of Assembly representing Lagos Island Constituency II.  He turned 50 on Wednesday, November 26, 2013.  He did not roll out the drums to celebrate this milestone.  Rather, he used the occasion to alleviate the economic hardship of people from his constituency by empowering them with materials. He, however, found time to grant ENCOMIUM Weekly an interview about his life at 50.

How do you feel turning 50?

I give glory and thanks to Almighty God for letting me witness this day. It is a milestone in one’s life and having seen and messed with so many things in one’s life, I think it is good for one to give thanks, glory and praises to Almighty God.  I feel the same, more matured, experienced and I see the world in another dimension.

Do you feel your new age?

Not really but there are things I can’t really do as I used to do when I was younger.

Like what and what?

I don’t really want to mention them but it is common knowledge that as you grow older every part of your body grows old with you.  So many things you used to do when you were young, you can’t do them anymore.

When will you consider the best moment of your 50 years?

There are many best moments in my life.  Was it when I had my first daughter or when I graduated from college or when I became a member of Lagos State House of Assembly?  There are many more to mention. I just give thanks and glory to God. He has been very faithful to me.  This is why I have also rededicated my life to Him too.

What will you say has been the most challenging moment of your life?

When I lost three of my brothers within a decade.

Elder or younger brothers?

Both. Their deaths within a decade shook me to the marrow.  It reshaped my life. It was so sudden and it became a defining moment for me.  It was also one of the things that brought me closer to God.

Which of your childhood memories do you still cherish?

It was fun growing with one’s siblings and sharing the same experience but unfortunately for me more than half of my 50 years was spent in United States of America, where I schooled and worked for many years before coming back to the country to contribute my own quota to political development.

What would you say informed your going to USA then?

It was the in-thing then.  Getting admission into higher institutions, particularly a university was not easy then.  So, when the opportunity of going abroad came, I grabbed it with my hands and travelled to USA, where I did my associate degree, bachelor degree, two masters degrees and some certificate courses in investigation at New York City Police Academy.  I worked with the City of New York as Special Investigator before I finally came back to the country.

How many years did you spend in the United States of America?

I was there for over 20 years.

What would you say informed your coming back to Nigeria when those in the country are struggling to relocate to US?

I had reached my saturation point and the law of diminishing returns had set in.  So, the next thing for me was to do other things.  My frequent visits to Nigeria gave me ample opportunity to know what was going on in the country then, particularly in my community Isale Eko.  When the transition to civil rule began in 1998, I saw the opportunity in contributing my own quota to the development of my state in general and my community in particular.  I had always been a people-oriented person.  I like serving people. While in US, I was a member of many social organizations. I was the vice chairman of the students union in my school.

Which school is that?

City University of New York, Brooklyn College.  All these fired my interest in politics.  So, in 1999, I vied for the chairmanship of Lagos Island but did not succeed.  That did not deter me from contributing my quota to the growth of my party (AD) and community (Isale Eko).  My contributions paid off in 2007, when I was given the opportunity to serve my people as their representative in Lagos State House of Assembly.  I thank my party leaders and give glory to God for giving me the opportunity.

People from your area, Isale Eko are said to be pleasure loving, who do not fancy going to school.  What would you say encouraged someone like you to acquire higher education?

That is a misconception.  Lagos is not only for show but for action.  It is a misconception to say people from Lagos Island are not interested in education.  There are so many Lagos Islanders that are occupying prominent positions both in public and private sectors of the economy.  Of course, we are very social, we are jolly good fellows who celebrate life but that does not make us a bunch of illiterates.  We appreciate education a lot.

But a lot of miscreants still abound in the area?

Yes, but so it is in other communities outside Lagos Island.  Some of such behaviours are borne out of youthful exuberance and such is not peculiar to Lagos Island alone.  This is one of the reasons why some of us are serving as role models to the young ones.  It is the responsibility of the leaders of various communities to encourage the young ones to be well educated.  Education does not only improve the individual but the communities in general.  So, it is the onerous responsibilities of the leaders to contribute to encourage the young ones.

How will you describe your experience as a politician since you joined in 1999?

It’s been an exciting and exhilarating experience.  As a politician you must know some things about everything.  You have to be articulate, calm, cool and calculated.  Politics is full of intrigues. It is like a wrestling bout.  Any miscalculation on your part could get you a pin fall which will be an advantage to your opponent.  You must always be at alert, be sure of yourself and your moves. It is a calling and you just don’t jump into it.  You must be willing to undergo tutelage under the veterans and the elders.  As a matter of fact, I will want to say it is a profession which you must do the right way.

What will you say you like about politics?

Ability to deal with people.  The game that is involved in your survival.  It is the survival of the fittest.  It is a struggle for existence. It is like a jungle, where the strongest, the fittest, the most experienced and the smartest survive.  You must not only be intelligent, you must also be street smart to survive as a politician.

What are the things you don’t like about politics?

The perception of the people that because you are in politics you are very rich and must be able to take care of all their needs.  People don’t want to know whether you are a legislator or not, they believe you are making a lot of money, therefore, share it with them.  Virtually every day we have to enlighten them about this. One of my campaign slogans when I was contesting for this seat (Lagos Island Constituency) was effective representation.  This means to speak on behalf of the people, to represent their interests by making sure that money that is appropriated is judiciously spent.  This I have done to the best of my ability.

 – TOLANI ABATTI

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