It is said that authority calls for service, this seems to be the passion driving Barrister Adekeunle Adegunle, as he aspires to represent the good people of Alimosho at the tenth Assembly vying for the position of Honourable Member of the House of Representative as 2023 approaches.
In an exclusive interview with The Alimosho Mail Newspaper, the soft spoken Barrister beard his mind on what Alimosho Federal Constituency deserve and what it will get if elected.
Excerpts:
Q; Can we meet you Sir?
Res.: My name is Barrister Adekunle Adegunle, Principal Partner Adekunle Adegunle and co also the founder Adekunle Adegunle Global Foundation, popularly known as “OKO OPO” ( laughs) because I take care of widows a lot, also I am a Lagosian, married and blessed with children.
Q: Would you tell us what informed your aspiration for the representation of Alimosho Federal Constituency in the forthcoming 2023 general elections?
Res: My aspiration heels from the trust reposed on me by my constituents members, and my passion and quest to further serve the people of Alimosho at such a level that requires experience, doggedness and the understanding that authority is a call for service; having served at various capacities as a legal adviser to the youth wing of my party and that of Egbe-Idimu LCDA and most importantly my many years of philanthropy through my foundation Adekunle Adegunle global foundation which has exposed me to the sufferings of the people especially the youths, windows, special people and the less-privilege.
Q: Taking about your exposure to the suffering of the people; how would you alleviate the sufferings knowing fully well that the office of the HoR is a none-executive office with limited resources tied to constituency projects?
Res: Firstly, there is the need to sponsor bills that will redress some the causes of these anomalies; for instance there’s the need for a bill to protect and address the position of the widows in this country, the youths are equally left out, the disabled people are another important individuals that deserves equal rights in the society, these bills will be sponsored and followed to its passage as it will give the required direction to alleviating some of these hardships.
Q: It is often an onerous task for fresh legislators to understand the politicking that characterized the National Assembly during their first term as sponsoring bill through its passage requires a lot, how would handle this challenge?
Res: This is where my experience will be called to bear; I accept the facts that there will be challenges for a fresher but for someone like me am really not a novice in the path of the process of enacting laws by virtues of my profession this I hope to employ in making sure that the right bills are pursed from sponsoring to passage.
Q: How would you assess the performance of Honourable Olufemi Adebanjo who is currently occupying that position?
Res: I must confess that Honourable Adebajo has given his best and to the best of his ability, Alimosho federal constituency is larger than some neighboring countries in term of population; hence its representation at any level is a hackling task, none the less one cannot give more than he has. So from my personal perspective based on his capacity he has done excellent.
Q: You talked about the youths which you also represent, would you want to shed more light on your plans for the youths of Alimosho LGA if elected?
Res: It is said that a nation that neglects its youths is a dead nation, being a youth gives me better knowledge and first hand informations of issues that affects the youths which I would list some for the purpose of this discussion; education and jobs are the core issues that the youths are faced with; education here encompasses both the formal and informal education systems, these are areas I will be focusing my energy in making sure that the youths of my constituency are educated, then job creation through various platforms such as sports and follow up that Constituent members get good quota when government vacancies are advertised, encouraging them by supporting talents and skills.
Q: Let’s talk about your party the All Progressive Congress {APC}, it’s no news that the APC your party has factions in Alimosho LGA, how would this play out on your aspirations and which of the factions do you belong to?
Res: I would not deny the fact that the party is factionalized in Alimosho today, it’s a norm in such big political party; however the party has its mechanisms of handling such; mind you it is a ruling party both at the state and federal so there will always be interests, nonetheless, I would like to say that I belong to the peoples’ faction. The people make up the party and they are solidly behind my aspirations.
Q: Barrister Adekunle, what would you say your mission to the National Assembly is; if elected in 2023?
Res: My mission would be to serve, to be a good representative, to be my people’s mouthpiece, to make sure that Alimosho federal constituency is not only known as the most populated but to attract and unveils the potentials she has, through quality representation and passion for service. Sincerely Alimosho deserves better than it is today.
Q: As an aspirant for National Assembly; what would be your proffered solution against the current level of insecurity across the nation?
Res: The issue of insecurity is already been nipped in the bud through the calling for the decentralization of the security architectures; this I will add my voice to make sure it is achieved.
Q: The amended electoral bill , if signed into law will midwife your elections; that is if your party gives you its mandate, what would be your opinion on the job done by the National Assembly?
Res: Am sure the National Assembly must have taken the interest of the country into cognizance before passing the bill however I would not want to comment on the bill as am yet to read through it.
