-
Ex-LAGOS Comm. UZAMAT AKINBILE-YUSSUF
Pharmacist Uzamat Akinbile-Yussuf is the immediate past Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, in Lagos State. Everybody knows this ever gorgeous but simple woman. And its not just because she is a beautiful woman with a charming personality, but because she is also a very dedicated woman who has given her all in the 11 years or thereabout of her service to Lagos State as a Commissioner who served in various capacities.
She served as Supervisory Councilor, Agriculture, Rural and Social Development in Agbado/Oke-Odo between 2012 and 2014. She also served as the State Executive Council as Honourable Commissioner for Youth and Social Development, Lagos from 2015 – 17, and then Wealth Creation and Employment from 2018 – 19.
Then she served as Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture from 2019-2023. And the general conclusion by many is that she did a damn good job in every capacity that she served. This is why many of her colleagues within and outside the Lagos state government, have tremendous respect for her. During the course of her service, she served under 2 governors -Governor Ambode and Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu and they both hold her very dear to their hearts.
The big news is that this pretty Pharmacist-turned politician turned 50 a couple of weeks ago and she celebrated it in a big way. Lots of important dignatories were present to celebrate her Golden jubilee with her and she also had an outpouring of tributes from the high and mighty such as the Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Governor Dapo Abiodun, Hakeem Muri-Okunola.
Last week, Uzamat was at City People’s Female Achievers Award where she was honoured with a very special award and celebrated. She spoke to City People’s Senior Editor, WALE LAWAL (08037209290)) and shared what life means to her now at fifty. Enjoy.
Congratulations you on your birthday. It’s a milestone birthday, how do you feel being celebrated by so many people?
To God be the glory. I thank God for making that wonderful occasion possible. Though it has come and gone, but the memory of the occassion will linger on in my life for a long time. I really had a funfilled birthday. I felt fulfilled. The way it was planned, we were able to execute it exactly as we planned it. I thank God we were able to make the most of the day. I appreciate most especially all the important guests that turned out to celebrate with me. A lot of people traveled down from outside the country, while those within the country left the comfort of their homes to be with me, I can’t thank them enough. Some people came on Thursday, some came on Friday, from outside the country, and they left on Sunday. They didn’t have any other business in Nigeria other than to come and celebrate with me, so I really thank each and everone of them from the bottom of my heart.
You got a lot of glowing tributes from the Lagos state governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the Ogun state governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun and even the former Head of Service, Lagos, Hakeem Muri-Okunola, how did those tributes from important dignatries make you feel?
Sincerely, I feel so humbled by the outpour of tributes. These are very distinguished people that you have mentioned, and trust me, all they said about me were from their various experiences from working with me. They didn’t just send goodwill messages but also expressed what I meant to them. Another personality that impressed me so much was the Ooni of Ife, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Ogunwusi Enitan, the Ojaja 1. He surprised me because he came into Lagos on Friday purposely to celebrate with me and waited till Saturday evening. Even Oba Oniru flew down from abroad to come celebrate with me, I felt so happy. And for those of them that also gave their time to be part of the documentary, the Deputy Governor, Mr. Obafemi Hamzat, I felt so honoured to have him on my documentary. Also my egbon, Dr. Iyiola Omisore, yes, he’s my blood, my family, but he could’ve chosen to attend to other things but he was there for me. I also thank the Ilara of Ilara, the Elegushi himself, the Olori Eyo, so many of them turned out in their numbers to come celebrate my special day with me. It couldn’t have been any better. And for those that couldn’t get the invites and are not so pleased with me, I’m so sorry, please forgive me because many of them sent messages saying I chose not to invite them. That is not the case, please, I know you all love me and I love you too but the error came from the team that handled the entire invitation process and I am indeed very sorry, I take responsibility for the error. I appreciate your love and prayers. Some of them still asked me to send my account details so they can send me something for my birthday even if I didn’t invite them. I am so very grateful to you all for your love.
I had a fulfilled day. My family was there to support me. My friends from primary school to secondatry school down to university of Ibadan and the University of Lagos, I am more than grateful. And I was also able to give my dance (laughs).
You are one of the few politicians that peole talk about with genuinely love and admiration. What do you think it is about you that draws people to you and make them love you because this reflected even in the turn out of your birthday?
I think its just my simple nature and approach to life. I believe that wherever you find yourself, leave a good memory. I am more interested in leaving a good memory behind wherever I go. I am always at peace with everybody around me. I relate with people the way I expect them to relate with me. I show love and ensure I am committed to the people around me, to do my best for them. And I think many of them reciprocate by doing the same thing to me. My humble background teaches me that it could’ve been any other person in my position. Yes, I am from a Royal family but with a very humble background. The royalty in me tells me that I need to be humble even to the ordinary people around me. Both the royals and commoners are all equal in the sight of the Almighty God. So, I can relate with anybody, no matter how low your status is. There was a time I was at an occasion and while I was eating, I asked a young lady to come and join me to eat and she was so scared and was wondering how a whole commissioner would ask her to come and eat from the same plate with her. I said, why don’t you want to join me, is it that your hand will stain the food I am eating or what? Come on, pick up a spoon and eat. There is nothing in this life, we are all just passing through it. I don’t need to look down on anybody or begin to over hype myself, all I do is focus on my job and move on.
There is no extra ordinary human being anywhere, we are all same before God. So, if you try to make yourself look like you’re extra ordinary and place yourself ahead of others, you can’t be my friend because I will not accord you any extra ordinary respect. That is me for you. Sometimes, when I get to my office, some people wonder, is this the same Commissioner we hear or read about? I do a lot of my things myself. There are times I pick up the broom and sweep. If I feel I need to do that quickly instead of waiting for someone to come and do it, I pick up the broom and do it, it doesn’t change who I am. Is it not a human being that sweeps? So, my life is so simple that I just want to live the simplest life ever.
Share with us a few of the lessons life has taught you at 50
Life has taught me to always be determined in achieving your goal. Nothing good comes easy, if you know you want something, pursue it. No good thing will be served to you a larcarte. That’s number one. Number two, believe in your God. I am a conscious and devout Muslim, but I can flow with anybody, even if you’re a traditionalist, if you feel that’s the way you can communicate with your God, go ahead and do that. I don’t discrminate against any religion. Then, I also don’t bear grudges. I always try not to hold anyone in malice. If you offend me, I will call you and express my displeasure to you. I will tell you you have offended me and if its something I can forgive you immediately you offended me, I will do so right away and move on because when you offend me and I’m keeping malice, I’m the one living in pajns. So, I will rather resolve it immediately and forgive you so I can move on with my life without carrying any pain in my heart. That is the way I live my life. But if it’s something I feel I cannot discuss with you or resolve, I will quietly cut the ties between us so I can be at peace with myself and everybody will go in peace. Especially if I found out you lied against me or you told me a lie and you refuse to apologise. But if you can apologise for hurting me or admitting you made a mistake and you’re sorry, I will let go.
Send Us News, Gist, more... to citypeopleng@gmail.com | Twitter: @CitypeopleMagz
