The Executive chairman of Ojodu LCDA, David Olusegun Odunmbaku has revealed the secret of how he is sustainably changing the narrative of governance at the grassroots.
Odunmbaku – the son of Cardinal James Odunmbaku; a leading member of the Lagos State Governor’s Advisory Council (GAC), is the third elected chairman of Ojodu LCDA having amassed the majority votes in the July 23 2021 Lagos state local government election and was sworn in alongside other council chairmen in Lagos State.
Odunmbaku’s name resonates with capacity, capability, and altruism as his fame transverse beyond the six wards in Ojodu by virtue of his developmental strides with many dubbing him the face of grassroots politics in Lagos.
The council honcho hit the ground running beginning from when he assumed office with every effort geared towards walking the talk of his campaign manifestoes encapsulated in his H.E.Y.S agenda which stands for Health, Education, Youth and Women Empowerment, Social Infrastructure.
His ability to effectively rise to the dire occasion of the economic challenges in the country by strategically carrying out meaningful palliative programs for residents in the council has endeared him the more to his constituents.
In an exclusive chat with Theliberationnews recently, the council mayor recalled constructing and rehabilitating at least twelve connecting roads in his council area to ease vehicular transportation and business activities. This is being complemented by the free transportation scheme put in place for workers and pupils to carry them to and fro their respective destinations. These he has done among many others.
Speaking about the muse for his remarkable leadership, Odunmbaku said, “Yes, part of the answer is my background from a political family. The second is my exposure, I’ve been privileged to have studied outside this country. I’ve been exposed to the way things are done elsewhere. As it is usually said, you can’t be a champion in another man’s country. This is the dream I have for Nigeria, a country where things work.”
Having risen through the ranks in local government administration, the tech enthusiast cum politician added, “For me, leadership is to serve, I see myself more as a servant than a leader and I think that’s the way it should be.
“My family legacies got me here. Our word is our bond. I hardly say what I won’t do. I don’t bluff. I don’t do propaganda. You might find it a bit funny but that’s it. I’m not portraying myself as a saint but we have to do things with conscience. I don’t feel comfortable with lies and propaganda. My orientation is different. I don’t want to be on the paper. My contract billboard you can’t find my picture there what you’ll see there is “taxpayers money in action” I am not a model. That’s part of how we are changing the narrative. It’s not about me it’s about the people as it should be. It all boils down to my exposure. It’s difficult to put some decorum but it’s doable.
“As a chairman, why do I need an escort in the community where I live? If I do well, my community should be able to protect me. They will look out for you because after office that’s where I’m going back to the community. I should be able to keep my head high and say I did the little I could have done to change the narrative of governance for good and of course, have more productive youths, add more to the success story of Lagos State, and add more to the GDP of the country.”
He reaffirmed his commitment to leaving no stone unturned in his encompassing H.E.Y.S agenda for the common good of his constituents as he humbly appealed for their unending support.
