Saliu Mustapha is disciplined, principled but not authoritarian – Olesin

Ibrahim Tajudeen Olesin, a philanthropist, good governance advocate and a civil servant. An Ambassador of Ilorin Emirate Youths, in this interview with Atofarati Faruq Umar, shared his thoughts on distinct and pertinent issues in polity.

Excerpts:

AF: It’s nice to meet with you. Without much ado, can you share with us a brief introduction of you, for the benefit of the general public?

Olesin: It is my pleasure. I am Ibrahim Tajudeen Olesin. I was born and bred in Ilorin, Kwara state. I’m a civil servant, an Accountant by training, an activist, an advocate of good governance and an Ambassador of Ilorin Emirate Youths.

CM: How did you come about the title, “Ambassador”?

Olesin: The title ‘Ambassador’ is a rare honour, privilege and responsibility bestowed on me by Ilorin Emirate Youth, and is not a honour for sale. It requires alot of sacrifices. I’ve been trying my best since it is in a bid to contribute majorly to the betterment of the youths of my ancestral home, and as a leader, it remains my duty to unrelentingly make meaningful impacts, by advocating for good governance and facilitating dividends of democracy to my immediate community.

AF: That sounds really nice of you. How have you been coping with the challenges that come with being a community leader?

Olesin: Well, I have to say no position is easy if not by almighty Allah’s grace. Being a community leader in my own right has been tasky but fantastic for me. I see the challenges that comes with leadership like a complementary demand where one element can’t sustain without the other. I enjoy every bit of public assignment/engagement because it is what I love doing, but with support of good people around me. Have you heard the popular African adage that says “a single tree does not make a forest”? So I believe it has been fun and awesome with me. And to err is man and divine is God, some uneasy happenstances are inevitable in the line but with God we have been grateful.

AF: You just seemed to make the position of a leader the easiest task, do you ever feel like quitting sometimes when adversity arises?

Olesin: No, no! I have neither felt nor thought of that. I just told you that I take cognizance of leadership challenges. “Quitters never achieve anything and winners are the ones who refused to quit”. So, I’m determined to paddle the canoe for my people and serve them in any capacity to the best of my ability, quitting won’t let me do that.

AF: Are you saying you won’t mind to be tested with a task of public office?

Olesin: Of course, but in a sector where I would be allowed to touch the lives of my people, because I so much believe in impacting on the people.. to support the youth, women, aged and vulnerables.

AF: Do you have a particular office you are eyeing for now?

Olesin: Uhmm… It is human to wish, it is divine to dispose. I won’t say I’m not eyeing any office, recall I vied for the House of Representatives seat in 2019. So, if my people so wish I serve them in any capacity, I’ll gladly oblige, in as much as it will avail me with the opportunity to put smile on their faces.

AF: I like the fact that you are more compassionate about the people, this ideology I would say you shared with the man you always refer to as your leader, Mallam Solihu Mustapha. How cordial is the relationship between you two?

Olesin: Smiles.. with Mallam, I enjoy a father and son relationship. In all honesty, I have a very intimate and good leader/follower relationship with him. He is a man of principle, disciplined but never was he an authoritarian. He’s a man that listens without prejudice, and he also does not speak conceitedly of himself. He understands his people, their pains and yearnings. Without any sycophantic submission, I’ve since learnt a lot from him and I’m still learning. He’s a man of respect without commanding it, I can go further and further to eulogize him but time would not permit.

AF: Sir, would you create such a notion that he’s the best son of Ilorin Emirate?

Olesin: As a matter of fact, he’s well known as a philanthropist better than a politician, a peace advocate, he’s the best in the sense that we have lots of people who have more than he has, but they are no match for his patriotism because most of them are not committed to the development of the people as he is.

AF: Can you oblige me with names of some that are known to you under this?

Olesin: For the sake of peace and unity let’s just skip this and move on, laughs!…

AF: Aside being a philanthropist, politician, peace advocate, who is this man? Many of his beneficiaries don’t know him well enough.

Olesin: Mallam Solihu Mustapha was born into a humble family and well respected indigene of Ilorin East Local Government Area of Kwara State. He is a highly principled man of good character and undeniable integrity. A lover of the masses and selfless leader/politician. Solihu Mustapha is an extremely competent politician of note who is driven by a belief in the need for purposeful and progressive leadership. He was highly respected and valued members of The Buhari Organization (TBO) and a member of ANPP Presidential campaign in 2003.
In 2005, he was appointed as the Organizing Secretary of the CNPP and was a member of the ANPP caucus of leaders from Kwara in 2007. He also served as National Ex-officio of CPC and rose to the position of Deputy National Chairman of CPC from 2010 -2014. And naturally became a chieftain of APC following the merger of the three legacy political party. He is an easy going and amiable man, a charismatic politician, a popular, charming and well loved figure. He is a man of strong moral, he’s reputed for honesty, patience, humility and generosity. He is a life characterized by discipline and value as well as a firm and unflinching beliefs in paramount of service to humanity.

AF: From your response sir, no doubt he’s an indispensable great personality in the society, what are those things he has done that instilled his love in you and his lovers among the populace?

Olesin: Like I have said, he’s a knowledgeable and generous man. Being a politician and a leader, he has touched so many lives and so many people have learnt from his mode of leading and his ways of setting examples. Talking about what instilled his love in me is so simple, his life and attributes inspires me. I make him my role model in the art of leadership. To me, “he’s unarguably a personality who is worth emulating”.

AF: Why is it Solihu Mustapha? Why not any other politician?

Olesin: Well, when you are a good person and you possessed all the qualities you and I have mentioned so far, that alone would speak for you. This is why he has a foundation, uncommon of politicians. Every individuals have flaws and tendencies of fallibility but Salihu Mustapha, to me, remain the best among equals. Infact, he’s like a richly endowed resources which Kwara have not deeply explored.

AF: From findings sir, he has done a quite impressive number of interventions, donations and sponsorships.. could this amount to his current share of popularity and acceptability among Ilorin Emirate and Kwara?

Olesin: You are human being too, ain’t you? Would you love anyone who is not beneficial to you? Would you appreciate leader who doesn’t support you at trying times? Would anyone gain your attention if he/she is not meaningfully impacting your life? Would you accept anyone to lead you without a vision? Answers to these questions would answer your question.
If we are to go by the record of his intervention and sponsorship in Kwara, then we won’t leave here today. Someone whose midas touch cut across every sphere of life, ranging from education support scheme, water intervention, cultural/traditional impact, youth and women empowerment, political emancipation and what have you.. he’s truly a visionary leader and he has written his name in gold.

AF: Waoh! That’s interesting! What does it mean to you if he continues this way?

Olesin: That would make me happier. He has already carved a niche for himself in our society by supporting large number of youths, the aged and the vulnerables. He’s a game changer who has been passing a sharp message to other politicians out there that, creating a better vision for our youths and helping the needy should be their priorities. People should emulate Salihu Mustapha by giving back to the society without show off.

AF: He is a politician, do you think he is a threat to some elements in his party, the APC?

Olesin: I’ve known this man for a long time and like I told you, a father and son relationship is what we have. He’s a man of peace, integrity and honesty. He preaches peace and synergy in the party more than anyone. I don’t see him having loggerhead with anyone, on any issue. He’s a true and loyal party man. At this point, I must register my unreserved appreciation for the state chairman of the party, Hon. Bashir Omolaja Bolarinwa, who has helped a lot in advocating for peace, equity and unity in the party. I must also acknowledge the effort of Hon. Prince Saheed Popoola, for his immense contribution to bringing in a better vision for Kwarans, and truly he’s part of the Generals in the campaign for the party which saw us to where we are today. Mallam Solihu Mustapha is an easy going man but a man of action.

AF: Don’t you think if he holds a juicy public office, it would foster a very good and wide outreach to Kwarans who are the major target and beneficiaries of his foundation?

Olesin: Of course no doubt, but we have to wait and see what the government has in stock for him. It is such a pity and disheartening that till now he’s not occupying any position of authority that would unveil more of his abilities towards emancipation and empowerment of the people. Mallam is actually not a political jobber and I’m not speaking for him anyway. I can only air my opinion about him as a leader whom I cherish so much.

AF: What is your evaluation, assessment or appraisal for the government of Kwara State in the last one year?

Olesin: Well, that’s a big question, the present government is doing its best, maybe the best is not just enough. The people should be the judge.. we all know the feelers out there. Expectations were so high even before the inception of this administration. The governor should intensify his performance. We hope he does better with time!

AF: In the conclusion sir, what advice do you have for the state government and what are your expectations?

Olesin: Let me use this opportunity to humbly advice Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, to create synergy among his party members, especially those who toiled for the party’s victory in 2019, and make the people of the state a priority in all fronts. As a politician, I must say the last 52 weeks has not been rossy for APC members in Kwara State. This is politics where every stakeholder matters and I strongly believe the governor should understand party supreme because the party gave birth to his candidature in the first place. Personally, my own political philosophy is quite different from “eat and let’s eat idea”. I so much believe in service to humanity and advocating for the poor masses. I am not expecting anything from the state government..”no expectation, no disappointment”.

AF: What advice do you have for the youths of Ilorin Emirate and Kwara at large?

Olesin: The youth, as the determinant of today’s governance processes must be up and doing; shun violence of any form and they should endeavor to be more patriotic.