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‘Why I spend my salary on constituency youth empowerment initiatives’ – Hon. Dayo Saka Fafunmi

HON. Dayo Saka Fafunmi represents Ifako-Ijaiye (1) in the Lagos State House of Assembly.  Passionate about changing the lives of his constituents, especially the youths and the vulnerable, the Chairman, House Committee on Public Accounts has spent millions of naira in various empowerment projects in this direction.

Hon. Fafunmi has also, in the last seven years in the House, influenced construction of roads and other critical infrastructure in his constituency. In this interview, ENCOMIUM Weekly asked the engineer-turned-politician his legislative agenda.  He went on to unveil his score card, third-term ambition, Lagos State politics, his relationship with stakeholders in the polity and why he can die for the All Progressives Congress (APC) National Leader and former Lagos State governor, Asiwaju Ahmed Bola Tinubu. 

Hon. Fafunmi, for the first time, also opened up on his family, while revealing why he cannot afford to joke with his wife, Bisi and two children.

You recently launched another phase of your youth empowerment programme. How did it go?

It was just like any other day to me.  A day where the people of Ifako-Ijaiye constituency are being given the opportunity to have direct benefits and dividends of democracy.  You will agree with me that the history of Ifako-Ijaiye would be incomplete without a mention of the executive governor of Lagos State, Raji Babatunde Fashola (SAN), and Hon. Dayo Saka Fafunmi, member representing the constituency.  What we do is just to find a way to bring the youths together, especially those who are interested in ICT.  This is not the first time I would be running the programme.  I have graduated over 1,500 students and I can tell you that those who are yet to acquire their first degree have gone back to school to do that. Those who graduated from universities and other tertiary institutions have equally used it to get jobs, because the challenge is that everyone needs to be communication compliant; otherwise, they will still be operating in the olden days’ idea (analogue).  Over 400 students who are not all necessarily from my constituency are beneficiaries.  So, it’s a way of taking the boys from the street and so they can have positive change in their lives for them to become useful to themselves and the nation at large.

Do you empower them and just let them go to the labour market?

When the first set of our students passed out, I gave them computers free to start something on their own.  The best in each section was also given a set of computer. I don’t run politically-motivated programmes; the youths are all influenced positively so as to contribute their quota to society.

Is there any age limit for this programme?

This is an institute.  Part of my plan is to see how I can catch them young, direct their minds to become useful in their communities.  One of the men who participated in this exercise is about 63.  When I saw him first, I was like what is he doing here?  But he explained he is a traditional medical practitioner who felt he needed computer knowledge to run his business more efficiently.  He was already even thinking about putting in place a succession structure which his son needs our kind of ICT to key into when he passes on.  I was moved and I told the instructors to pay more attention to him to make sure he acquired the relevant knowledge he needed.

We equally allow students in SS1 and SS2 to be part of the programme.  They might teach them ICT in school but it is more of theory.  So, they come here to have a feel of the computer.  There is a boy of about 11, 12 here.  His dad brought him here and said, if I don’t bring him here he would be on the street and join the bad boys, it’s better he comes here.

How is the project funded?

Where I’m getting the fund is simple – from my salary.  I don’t have any other source.  It takes a man with a lion’s heart to take such step.  It’s from this salary I pay my bills, my domestic staff’s salary, the ICT trainers, fashion instructors and more.  In fact, I pay bills of over N400,000 every month, exclusive of the cost of buying diesel for the trucks.  Even after paying these bills, I still make provisions for my needy constituents.

Why did you choose to do this for youths?

I have so much interest in youths because they are leaders of tomorrow.  They are going to run this country one day.  And they will surely take over from where I am today.  So, if you don’t prepare them for a positive change, you know what you should expect.  That is why I’m preparing them for future leadership role in the polity and business world.

Many think you select beneficiaries on political grounds.  What are the criteria you use?

I have never asked anyone to show APC membership card to be part of this empowerment exercise. It is for the people of Ifako-Ijaiye constituency.  There is no political consideration. I can’t stop the buses we use for free transport service for students, to check if one’s parents are members of APC or PDP.  What I’m doing is to give back to society.  I grew up in this community. I went to Local Authority Primary School, Agege.  I had to trek from here to school then.  There were very few danfo buses operating here until 1979/80 when Jakande built Oke-Ira Primary School.  Then, we were doing shifting, some would go in the morning, others in the evening. I don’t want the youths to pass through the same ordeal.  So, I think what I can do now is to sow into the lives of youths so that when they get there, they wouldn’t hesitate to give back to society.  That is how a good leader operates.

You have spent about seven years in the House.  Can you please roll out your score card?

Law making, representation and legitimizing government policies are part of our jobs.  There are questions like what are the issues and problems in the constituency, what percentage of policies can you influence in your constituency?  To answer you directly, I can tell you that Ifako-Ijaiye has never remained the same since I came in as a lawmaker.  It is easy for us to forget the past, but if we can cast our mind back a bit, we would appreciate where we are now.  I can tell you that from Pen Cinema to Ishaga (which is about four kilometers) used to be a journey of about three, four hours because of the traffic.  Even when the road was still under construction, I still had to see the governor and I told him, “Your Excellency, you have not done anything for the people of Ifako-Ijaiye and my people are not happy.”  Even a Special Assistant then was proposing to do Shina Peter’s road.  They wanted to do the road at the cost of N1 billion!  I had to petition the governor.  At the end of the day, they approved only three roads while I requested for 12 roads.  Apart from road construction, I give out JAMB forms to students.  It is my own way of ensuring that the people of Ifako-Ijaiye who are indigenes of this area, who cannot afford it have the opportunity to enter tertiary institutions.  Education is the equalizer.  It is the only thing that brings hope, it is only education that puts the rich and poor on the same pedestal.  If you are educated, you wouldn’t remember if you are rich or poor.  I give priority to that.  More important, if you look at almost all the programmes I do, they are tailored to bring the best out of an individual and for them to showcase their talents.

Having spent about seven years in the Lagos House of Assembly, what is next for you?

I want to seek the mandate of the good people of Ifako-Ijaiye for another opportunity to be their representative.  I’m seeking a third term because it is in the Lagos State House of Assembly that I can directly influence projects.  I don’t know who would be the next governor of Lagos State that would be new to me.  So, I still want to go back to the House and I think it is in the best interest of my people to give me all the support to return to the House in 2015.

So, are you satisfied with the development of Ifako-Ijaiye constituency?

I’m partially satisfied, but I still hope for more.  There is no reason my constituency should not be like Victoria Island.  Before now, the cost of a property in the area was very low, but it has greatly appreciated.  I can tell you that landlords in Ifako-Ijaiye constituency are now millionaires just because of the development of the area.  We really have to thank Governor Babatunde Fashola (SAN), whose policies have found expression in my constituency.  We would even do much more if I’m re-elected in 2015.

In conclusion, what is your legislative agenda?

My legislative agenda is to ensure that Ifako-Ijaiye constituency emerges the best in Lagos.  Don’t forget I’m from a constituency that produced a former majority leader of the House.  So, I want to make sure my constituency never lags behind in the activities of the House.  Our agenda at the House is also to ensure we remain the best legislative House in Nigeria and the envy of all the other legislative Houses in West Africa if not in all of Africa.

What is your take on the last APC state congress?

It was hugely successful.  Our party is now more united than before.  The party structure has come to stay.

So, the chances of APC is now brighter in Lagos?

Is there any other party here in Lagos State?  Is there any other party that is meeting the aspirations of the people like we are doing here in Ifako-Ijaiye constituency?  Who has empowered the people more than the APC?  What we are doing here is part of our manifesto.  It is what our national leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu taught us.

Is Asiwaju your mentor?

He is not only my mentor, Asiwaju is a man who has sacrificed it all for democracy in Nigeria.  He is a man who was prepared to raise his head while others were covering theirs for safety.  He has done so much for democracy in Nigeria.  That is why we all follow him.

What’s your view on the ongoing National Conference?

I believe it is a PDP agenda.  But I’m happy the decisions they took would be vetted by the National Assembly at the end of their deliberations.

It is being speculated you would be elected Speaker in 2015?

I still need to win my party ticket, then win the election before contesting for Speaker.

If you are eventually elected how would you carry on with the office?

If it comes, it’s another call to service.  It’s not as if it’s going to be something so difficult having stayed in the House for eight years by then.  Interestingly, most of the time, it’s not really the opinion of the Speaker that counts.  He’s only first among equals.  And decisions are taken based on the direction of majority opinion in the House.  As someone who has a little knowledge of law, I know it cannot be easy, but decisions must be taken.  It is a function of your knowledge, experience and ability to stir the course of the House in line with public interest.

Many are worried about the alleged imposition of former Lagos Accountant General, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode as APC Lagos guber candidate?

My party, APC will not impose any candidate.  It is what the people of Lagos want that the party will do, but more important, our party has a system. It is a system of continuity, a system that ensures only the best candidate gets the job. I know APC will give the job to the best man.  The truth is at my level, I’ve not been officially informed that any candidate has been anointed.  My loyalty is to the leader of our party, Asiwaju Ahmed Tinubu and many others.  What the leaders see while sitting, I can’t even see it while standing on top of a tree (laughs).  So, we still expect them to lead and guide us when the decision would be taken.

You come across as an intelligent, articulate and organized young man.  What’s your background?

Thank you for the compliment. I went to the University of Ilorin.  I’m an engineer. I made Second Class Upper Division. I had PGD in Information and Communication Technology.  I am currently studying Law in UNILAG, fourth year.  I’ve done a lot of courses in and outside our shores.

Can you share your family background with us?

I was born into a family of nine.  My dad was a Muslim.  So, he was married to two wives.  My mom is the first and the eldest.  I’m the only son from my mom.  The other ones are females.  About four of them are married.  I am also married to Bisi Fafunmi (nee Otedola), not the daughter of the late Governor Otedola but his younger brother. I have two boys and I am done with child bearing.

How do you get along with politics and family life?

I strike a balance between the two.  It hasn’t been so easy I must say but my wife co-operates with me.  She knows who I am.  She is now part of the project.

Your mom is also involved?

Yes, my mom is a woman leader.  My late dad was a politician.

You look every inch a gentleman, how do you cope with politics being what it is in this part of the world?

Let me tell you, there is no gentleman in politics, but there are a lot of refined politicians here in Lagos.  It is not the quantum of energy exerted that matters but the level of intelligence you apply.  I don’t need to shout or act violently to get what I want. I can energise my mechanism and achieve the same result.  And when there is the need for me to act the hard way, I know what to do.

-UCHE OLEHI

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