By Olufemi Lawson
Celebrating Senator Tokunbo Afikuyomi, a Man whose 60th birth resonates today among his people, becomes a necessity, not for what he has achieved for himself as a person, but for the army of his friends, Political associates and followers.
Afikuyomi, a man with the divine burden and mandate to always, stand to be counted, whenever it matters most. Afikuyomi has influential upbringing. He’s imbued with a gift of service to his immediate community and humanity in general. It is his inherent spirit that drove him into politics.
Ever since his days as a Students’ Union activist at the University of Lagos and the National Association of Nigerian Students, Afikuyomi has always sought for platforms through which he could care for a greater number of the people. The history of Nigeria’s return to democracy in 1999 will be incomplete, without a conspicuous mention of the role played by the young Tokunbo Afikuyomi, who among several other pro-democracy icons in the country, placed their lives on the line while confronting the Military junta in Nigeria.
He was forced into exile with others by the despotic General Sani Abacha Junta. Upon the return of Nigeria to civil rule in 1999, Senator Afikuyomi, again, got involved in the political process, which saw his emergence, through popular votes, into the Senate, for two terms.
This desire to do more for the people is what made him contest for the governorship of Lagos State in 2007. Although the electoral result was skewed against him, he was never discouraged in his dogged commitment for championing the cause of the ordinary people.
A compassionate go-getter and dogged fighter, Tokunbo Afikuyomi has remained a relevant actor, in the political landscape of Lagos State, and Nigeria as a whole, judging by his network of friends, political associates and followers, which spread across the States of the country.
Senator Afikuyomi, is a workaholic, who believes that nothing is impossible to achieve, hence his constant demands for hardwork from those of us, who finds ourselves around him, and the can-do spirit that he exhibits at all times.
Restless, progressive, and constantly breaking new grounds as a measure of personal challenge, there’s no contesting the facts that Afikuyomi has paid his dues.
For these years of being privileged to associate with this intellectual warehouse, one cannot but say, that Senators Afikuyomi’s progressive influence, transcends his generation and it is of greater influence to those of us behind.
This, therefore, is to crave more grace and mercy for him in his journey through life; with a much longer life in good health and prosperity.
We pray that God would continue to strengthen him and give him larger platforms to continue to touch the lives of a greater number of his people.
Happy 60th birthday to our STA.
—-Lawson is the Executive Director, Centre for Public Accountability (CPA) and writes from Lagos.
