It was celebrations galore as the House of Representatives member representing Alimosho federal constituency at the National Assembly, Hon. Olufemi Adebanjo marks his birthday amidst pomp and pageantry.
The two term lawmaker with the sobriquet, “Eyes Open” to some people, may cuts the perfect picture of a very taciturn man but those who are close to him are aware that he sure knows how to enjoy himself at the appropriate time.
The bubbling Lagos politician is one of the outgoing big boys in town and his personality always elicited the attention of the public within and outside the political circle.
His birthday celebrations which was held in his Akowonjo, Lagos home on Saturday, June 12, 2021 was graced by dignitaries from all walks of life.
The ever- smiling politician is a media delight. He was cool, calm, calculating and engaging throughout his interview with our correspondent.
Speaking on how he feels having his birthday coincided with two significant days in the history of Nigeria, June 12, 1993 Presidential election won by the late business mogul, Chief Moshood Kashimawo Abiola (MKO) and Democracy Day, he affirmed it feels good and nostalgic.
“It feels good. Fortunately, I was one of those that voted for MKO. It was one of the greatest day in the history of this country. It was the day we had the best election in Nigeria. He won the election with landslide but unfortunately he was denied his mandate.
“If Abiola had been the president of this country, we wouldn’t be where we were today. He was so intelligent, articulate and business oriented. We would have had it so good,” he said.
On his scorecard, he said he has been able to do more for his constituent in the past two years with his poverty alleviation programs, provision of solar boreholes at strategic places, distribution of transformers to communities, construction of primary school building among others.
“Those that expects me to provide infrastructures doesn’t understand the functions of a lawmaker. Your road is bad and you expects me to fix it. My job is to make laws, amend the laws and supervise the roles of the executive arm of government.
“When political campaign comes, we will enlighten the people on the role of a lawmaker. We will explain to them the roles of lawmakers as regards execution of projects vis-a-vis the roles of the executives and what they should expect from us.
He regrets his relationship with God when asked what would he have done better looking back on his future. According to him, “ I should have been closer to God. My regret is that am far from Him. When you are closer to God, I meant real close, there will be communications.
“God will communicate with you. There were many things we prayed for that God didn’t grant our prayers. Not that God didn’t love the person or like the prayer requests but if He grant the prayers, some things will automatically go wrong.
“Like a story my Bishop told me. There was a man in Surulere. He was making money and wanted to buy a car. Anytime he tried to purchase one, he won’t succeed. He was later advised to build a house and he built it successfully within a year. He attempted buying a car again and he failed.
“He tried building another house and it was a success. He sold one of the houses and uses the money he received in cash to purchase a car. Unfortunately, it was the same car that killed him on the third day of its purchase. God didn’t answer his prayers concerning owing a car because He knows it would kill him.
“God ignore our prayers sometimes because of the repercussions it will have on our lives. God knows everything, we know little. Maybe if he was closer to God, He would have revealed it to him.
On how he got the sobriquet, “Eyes Open”, he said he was politically rebellious as a young chap, adding that maturity sets in as he grew up in the game.
“We have some political leaders in Alimosho during the 90’s, the year 1992 to be precised. They see us as young men that can be persuaded to take the back seat but we resisted. We told them, let us contest and whoever wins should emerge.
“At the time, the popular slang was open your eyes, shine your eyes. If you close it you are on a long thing. That was how I got the name and it stuck. I started as a rebel but maturity sets in later.
“I discovered early in life that politics was my destiny and I vowed to pursue it vigorously. When Abiola was denied his mandate in 1993, my business collapsed and I went back to the United States. I came back in 1998 when the country returned to democracy and God answered my prayers.
“I contested for chairmanship and I lost. I was compensated with Lagos House of Assembly ticket. After that, I became the chairman of this local government. I was Special Adviser to Babatunde Raji Fashola when he was the governor of Lagos State on Establishment and Training. Subsequently, I got elected into the National Assembly twice. I give God the glory.
Speaking on how he unwinds, he said relaxation comes at an unexpected time for politicians.”We don’t plan to unwind except you are the top boss.”
