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‘Politics is sexy’ – Hon. Adedamola Kasumu

Hon. Adedamola Kasumu, the grandson of late Alhaja Abibat Mogagi and the nephew of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu is one of the youngest members of Lagos House of Assembly. He turned 34 on March 29, 2017, the same day his uncle, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu turned 65.
In an exclusive interview with ENCOMIUM Weekly, he told us about his childhood, growing and almost two years experience in the Lagos House of Assembly

How does it feel turning 34?
I am a year older and a year wiser. I am grateful about that and I give thanks to God.
Do you feel your new age?
No. I feel more agile and ready to go. I feel more zeal to keep on striving till I become successful and people can become successful through me.
What is it like growing up for you?
It was an interesting one. I had an interesting childhood. With the kind of family I grew up with, it opened up opportunities to learn about life in general. With a grandmother like late Alhaja Abibat Mogaji, it was never a dull moment.
With Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu who was always there as father, it was an inspiration to just carry on. Of course, my late mother, the Yeye Amoye of Lagos, a renowned educationist who was passionate about youths development, a virtue she inculcated in us while growing.
There is also my father, Chief Adekunle Kasumu who stood by me through thick and thin to make sure that I stand firm and become the man that I am today. My childhood and growing up was certainly an interesting one.
Did you live with your mom or dad separately or both at the same time?
I lived with my parents and I grew up with my parents till death did them apart.
How far is it true that you are the only child of your mother?
That is very correct.
So, what was it like growing up as the only child of your mother?
I was never alone. Both my great grand mother and grandmother were Iyagbogbo (mother of all). The same thing with my own mother, a great philanthropist and educationist was mother of all. So, you can understand when I said I was never alone. I had people around me. People I called my brothers or sisters.
Were you in anyway over pampered by year mother being her only child?
Ironically, the only people that were treated like special children were those that were not hers. She was always admonishing me that ‘I should remember the child of whom I am”.
She inculcated so many virtues into me. She did so well in performing the role of a mother and so did my father. With a mother like my mother and a father like my father, the sky is just the limit.
Don’t forget that Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu was also there for me as an inspiration. So, I thank God for the people I had around me while growing up.
You share the same birthday (March 29) with Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Does it make you feel special in any way to him?
It just emphasized the special relationship that we have. Where I am today is a perfect testimony of his love for the youths in this country.
Did he actually bring you into politics or it was something you picked interest in just because you live in their mist?
I was born into a political family. I learnt the ropes over time from my parents. I started with activism for democracy. I was the president of a group then that was advocating for the practice of democracy. The group later metamorphosed into Revived Active Promotion of Nigeria, of which I was also the president. That was what drove me into politics.
How would you describe your almost two years experience in the Lagos House of Assembly?
Challenging, dramatic and interesting. The experience is second to none. I will say that I am on a good pedestal in terms of political experience and exposure. It has given me the exposure and experience of law making. Being a lawmaker has always been of interest to me.
It has also been exceptional for me because I have amazing colleagues under the leadership of Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Ajayi Obasa. The Speaker has been a father, brother and also a leader.
Looking at the ages of the other lawmakers you are likely the youngest of them all. Are you in any way intimidated by this fact?
Whether young or old, we all have our civic responsibilities and engagements. So, I tried as much as possible to work with every member of the House of Assembly no matter the age. I tried as much as possible to blend. I would rather say that I am honoured to actually be a member of Lagos State House of Assembly. I am not in any way intimidated by the ages of the honourable members.
Some of us the young one are learning the ropes from the older ones. We are learning from them and we are gaining progression.
As a young man who has been in politics very early in life, what will you say you like about politics?
Politics has given me a voice. A voice that would be heard, a voice that will make me a source of inspiration to many youths at large, just like a group of people like Asiwaju Tinubu had inspired me for quite a while now. Politics gives one the ability to make an impact.
So in a nutshell, I am not only learning, people are also learning from me. Politics, according to Asiwaju (Bola Ahmed Tinubu) is very sexy. That is very attractive.
What would you say you don’t like about politics?
What every Nigerian does not like about politics particularly corruption.
Being young man who is also in position of power, there will always be an attraction from the opposite sex. How have you been able to cope with such attraction?
That is expected but such attraction could be for positive reasons. When such attraction comes, I usually appreciate them and move on.
Are you saying you’ve not had an occasion a woman wants you for her selfish reason.
No because I am married and I have kids too.
Do you want to tell us about your wife?
I keep my family private.
How many children is the marriage blessed with?
I am blessed with children.

  • TOLANI ABATTI
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