Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola plays host to the cream de la cream of South West politics, political associates, traditional rulers, supporters, thought leaders, friends and people in the informal sector to an unmatched thanksgiving that will remain the talk of the town for many months to come
Amos Adetunji
The mood at Asade Pavilion Ilaro, Ogun State, on Saturday, January 4, was electrifying, fast-paced, enjoyable, joyful and memorable. For those who do not know, Asade Pavilion is symbolic and undoubtedly the right venue for that special event for many reasons. However, the most important reason for this choice of hall, is rooted in Senator Adeola’s generosity, an uncommon politician who singlehandedly built the centre for the benefit of his people. So, on that pleasantly and noteworthy day of thanksgiving, Asade glittered, not necessarily because it is a fine architectural masterpiece but more because of the appreciative mood of the people of Ilaro. And there was enough to eat and drink for everyone.
But beyond the wining, dining, networking, backslapping and prospecting new supporters, Adeola’s much talked about thanksgiving in Ilaro was essentially an occasion that leveraged the spiritual to achieve political goals. And the attendees from far and near can easily attest to this highly successful two in one event that brought together, the clergy, well-wishers and goodwill messages from different parts of the country. As things stand, Adeola, the highly cosmopolitan and resourceful senator will obviously continue to enjoy substantial success in his political career both at home and abroad for many reasons.
Apart from the fact that the distinguished senator is a man of the world who enjoys support from people of different ethnic nationalities, Adeola is also generous, friendly, down to earth, compassionate and empathetic. In fact, he is a man who makes things happen. Since his unprecedent and historic switch from Lagos West to Ogun West Senatorial District, he has remained an issue and a major talking point in Nigeria. In Ogun State in general and Ogun West in particular, he is gradually consolidating his political gains with his goodwill and noble attributes.
Now, the people of Ogun State are expectant and hopeful since the entry of a man popularly known as Yayi into the governorship race of his state. But the people have good reason to be jubilant and excited. Aside from Yayi’s expertise in law making, alternative dispute resolution, administration and corporate governance, Adeola will also be uniting his home state with his candidature. If he wins, and this is most likely, then the grumbling and the growing disaffection between Ogun West other senatorial zones that have produced all the governors since 1999 would have been laid to rest for good.
But the success story of that thanksgiving would not have been complete without the senator’s adorable wife. As a dutiful wife, Temitope Adeola took centre stage during the Church service in an auditorium that was filled to the brim, with diverse array of guests. Temitope, widely regarded as a woman of virtue for her immeasurable support to her husband, took the first lesson from Psalm 103:1-5 which was the opening scripture. This Bible passage is instructive because it focuses essentially on God’s redeeming grace, His holy name, blessings, loving kindness, gratefulness, mercies, forgiveness and goodness. However, the bottom line is God’s unconditional expression of love to His people, and the fact that when God goes to battle for a believer, that person who trusts in the Almighty, wins.
The senator who is not oblivious of the God factor in his extraordinary life, was full of praises for an omnipotent God that remains faithful in every season. Adeola also thanked all the interdenominational pastors present for eschewing whatever doctrinal differences they may have in favour of unity and purpose. In addition, the senator’s emotion-laden short speech drew attention to God’s goodness and faithfulness in his life’s journey from the private sector where he also excelled, to politics where he continues to enjoy tremendous goodwill. Adeola stressed the idea that God’s power can overcome obstacles, and that people should depend on God for exploits. According to him, serving as two term House of Assembly member, a member of Federal House of Representatives and another two terms as a senator for Lagos West, is no mean feat. In his view, the experience would not have been possible without God.
For emphasis, it is obvious that this ebullient senator is willing and able to serve his people. And he will most likely bring to bear, his long preparation and learning process that have seen him in different positions in many organizations, including the parliaments, both at the federal and state levels where he proved his mettle.
But Adeola has also seen life on the other side. And he has fought his way through by pushing and struggling, regardless of the obstacles. For instance, the challenge of returning back to base in Ogun State was enormous, even from unlikely quarters. His god fathers and political associates in Lagos were particularly reluctant to release him to Ogun State because in their view, that amounted to great loss at the time. As a highly resourceful and dynamic person, the opposition against his return to Ogun West was understandable, and the challenge lasted for a fairly long time until the intervention of some governors and opinion leaders, including the governor of Ogun State.
The senator will also not forget in a hurry, the challenges he confronted as Chairman, Senate Committee on Appropriation over the 2024 budget. It was so bad that he had to cut short his foreign trip to tackle all the knotty issues and eventually defended the budget.
Until recently, rumour had it that Egba people, an important segment of the state was vehemently against his candidature. But the strong representation from that part of Ogun State, coupled with the fact that his mother is an Egba woman has laid such fears to rest.
So, to say that Adeola does not have obstacles on his path to becoming the next governor of Ogun State, in spite of his tremendous goodwill, is to live in denial. However, he is lucky to have many advantages in his favour. Therefore, he is in good company. Apart from having an Egba mother, important traditional rulers and enduring friendships across Ogun State and the entire South West, it is widely believed that Yayi has the blessings of Aso Rock and nearly all the prominent politicians in the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC.
Interestingly, the events of Sunday, January 5, in Ilaro brought his governorship ambition in the gateway state to a touching distance. The outpouring of love for the politician, the enormous grassroots acceptance and mobilization, the presence of high ranking chiefs and royal fathers and the support of political heavyweights from the three senatorial districts made his ambition a fait accompli. To his excited supporters across the state and beyond, no aspirant for the number one seat in recent memory has received such an overwhelming support.
This page-turning politics of Senator Adeola is becoming interesting by the day but from every indication, the best is yet to come
