
GANIYU OLUSEGUN ABIRU is the Current Chairman of IKORODU OGA DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION & The CEO of GUINEA GOLD GLOBAL COMPACT LTD.
A name in the region of Ikorodu that reflects Effective leadership and core Discipline. An Elite Member by all ramification & an APC Card Holder.
Ikorodu News Network (INN) had an exclusive chat with The Leader & brilliant minded Personality to learn about his ideologies on our Economy & Educational growth amidst CoVid-19 Pandemic.
His take on the Government’s approach as regards CoVid-19 & to clear out Doubts about his intent on running for the Lagos East senatorial seat which was left vacant by the late senator Adebayo Osinowo.
“Retiring As a clerk in the LAGOS STATE HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY garnered me alot of experience overtime, Which I have brought into the Leadership of IKORODU OGA DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION (IKODASS).
Together with the brilliant crop of individuals we have in this Administration I believe has made us successful.
Though am not implying that our Predicessors has not done equally well, But serving the government at a longer scale and infusing it into our leadership ranks has made my era unique” GANIYU OLUSEGUN ABIRU.
INN: Let’s look at Covid-19 Today, How can you Appraise the Efforts of our government today in combating this global Challenge?
GANIYU ABIRU: I will say at this extent that Both the Federal Government as well as the State Government are really trying their best with the available means to contain the spreading of this pandemic to a minimal level, But even at that the number tends to be increasing even more.
It has actually gotten to that point where we as the inhabitants must begin to ask ourselves more Critical questions about the Reality of this virus, Which I believe will increase our awareness level & also prompt us to adhere to the basic requirements and guidelines that has been layed down to us to prevent it’s spread.
This should not also take away the fact that our Government must not be laser focused on Covid-19 alone.
Malaria, Asthma, Typhoid Fever, Hypertension, Diabetes and other known illnesses are Still claiming lives daily even more than the CoVid-19 Pandemic.
Patients are now Actually self medicating themselves simply because our current medical institutions are mostly concerned or have prioritised mostly Covid-19 cases, Which is not supposed to be.
Our Government must also pay close attention to the fact that some people are also sick (Covid-19) unrelated, But they are afraid to go to the hospital for proper attention, which is even more delicate to life & longevity.
There should be synergies between the Government & our health Institutions at this time to adequately simplify this health Challenges we are facing today.
Before the advent of CoVid-19 Pandemic we had those illnesses.
INN: Coming Down to Ikorodu, How has the Pandemic been managed?
GANIYU ABIRU: We give God all the Glory soo far.
My plights is that our divisional local Government are not Effectively sounding the alarms of Awareness to our various communities about the dangers of this virus, With regards to the tendency of the pandemic’s community spread.
I was coming to the Office this morning and when I passed through the market, It’s obvious that people no longer use the Face Masks anymore.
The whole market is jam packed, Everyone is going about their businesses & shores, Ignoring the Reality we face today.
If our local government wants to help the people presently, Then Constant awareness campaign should be a priority for them.
The Local Government are the closest arm of Government to the people, Making subsequent round of announcements on weekly basis with bus and megaphones for the inhabitants to adhere to guidelines is very important at this stage.
It’s about Taking Responsibility & we can’t afford a community spread!
Most of our market Traders don’t believe in the reality of this Pandemic, Not to talk of the dangers attached to it.
Social Distancing is not observed, Bus drivers and Keke Napep Carries the number of passengers expected of them from the park, But when they leave the park, they will violate the rules, carrying more passengers & neglecting the guidelines.
The Local Government must try to create more awareness for the people which is very paramount now.
INN: Looking at the back and forth approach by the Federal Government on the school resumption decision, what would you say to that effect?
GANIYU ABIRU: I think we should buy some time, I mean our Government should not rush the resumption process at all.
Even if it is going to cost us an entire Academic session then so be it.
In order to secure the lives of our children.
I don’t think we have means & procedures in place yet to facilitate the reopening of our educational institutions.
The processes and measures to kick start our schools will take some measurable durations.
If you check out the process they adopted in China for schools to open, you will be Marveled. The routines are not what we are even ready to adopt in Nigeria.
My Advice is simple, They should not open our schools yet!.
INN: Leadership to us is a core question, What is your take on Leadership in Ikorodu Today.
GANIYU ABIRU: Leadership can be viewed from a whole lot of angles when it comes to the growth and development of a Community, Region or a State.
In Ikorodu today, We have different leaders at the various sectors who are trying their best to help Ikorodu Division yield the kind of Prosperity it deserves.
We have Leadership from the Traditional Sector, We have Leadership from the Political Sector & also Leadership from the Community Sector.
Every Leader has their own roles and responsibilities to synchronise & synergize with others in order to elevate our communities & Region.
As Leaders one thing that must drive all of us is putting the Interest Of Ikorodu First amongst every order personal Agendas. That is what drives growth, That is what produce fruitfulness.
Standing in the gap for others to succeed & achieve their dreams. Unifying the Communities no matter the Differences.
A Leader must be able to make decisions without been bias due to Political interest & gains, Honesty is a watchword for a Leader, Trustworthiness, A leader must be emboldened to make balanced decisions in the interest of the entire division.
That’s the definition of a true Leader.
A Personality that symbolises Unity.
The one who is responsible for quenching divisional turmoil as everyone respects his or her Prudent mediation.
INN: We heard speculations about your intent to join the race for the Lagos East Senatorial Seat left vacant by Late Senator Adebayo Osinowo, Is it true?
GANIYU ABIRU: I can say at this point YES!, Though I kept my intents down due to the demise of our Leader the late Senator Adebayo Osinowo.
But if you looked at the One Million March I Organised back then, It displayed my clear intent to run for that office.
I have been seeking counsel behind the scenes and asking for advice from our leaders across-the-board due to my decision.
But I can say to you that indeed I AM JOINING THE RACE FOR THE LAGOS EAST SENATORIAL SEAT AT THE 9TH ASSEMBLY so help me GOD.
I hereby solicit IKORODU to stand with me on this decision.
I am a loyal APC Card Holder, And it’s sure that Ikorodu has always been a huge APC supporter.
We vote massively for the party, And in every decision the party Leadership Takes IKORODU has always responded positively to it.
I want to appeal to the Party’s Leadership to look at given that Seat to Ikorodu, As we are ready to carry that Mantle.
Actually it’s the turn of Ikorodu to present a candidate for that Seat and i pray that God will help our efforts on this projections to end up successfully.
INN: What Advice would you give to Ikorodu and Lagos State as regards CoVid-19?
GANIYU ABIRU: Covid-19 is Real and doesn’t respect the Highest or Lowest in the society.
We must follow the Government instructions, We must Take Responsibility.
This is the second half of the year with Notting to show on our economic activities, All sectors are down, We never thought it would be like this, Which indicates how Real this pandemic really is.
INN: Before we end this interview what is your advice for our Youths in Ikorodu?
GANIYU ABIRU: Well I do not fancy youths who are merely to praise leaders & not think about the kind of leader they want or Desire.
Don’t just hail, Ask questions.
What is your Leader up to?
Is it going to help you and the entire community on the long run?
Is your Leader propelling growth?
Is the agenda Enriching just one side or the General Masses?
It is because our youths don’t ask questions that is why they are always at the back burner and they simply respond to whatever the leader does.
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