When Engr. Valentine Oluwaseyi Buraimoh became the Executive Chairman of Amuwo Odofin Local Government 6 months ago, he immediately hit the ground running. It was easy for him because he was part of Amuwo Odofin LG system before he was voted in.
In the last few years, he had worked as one of the key officers of the LG., and he had earned a great reputation for been an achiever who did a lot, along with his former boss Comrade Adewale, to make the LG one of the best in Lagos. By nature, he is a no nonensense person.
He does not suffer fools gladly. He is highly disciplined. He is very principled. His No is no. And his yes is yes. What you see is what you get. That is why all his aides don’t joke with him. He has positively influenced them.
Last Thursday, Buraimoh who is a also a Comrade, like his predecessor, clocked 6 months in office but he did not celebrate it. He was infact too busy at work to toast to the huge success of his local government. In just 6 months, he has accomplished a lot in all the sectors from Health to roads.
Once he settled into office, he began to fix all the bad roads in his LG.
Who is this easy going LG boss who is hands on in the running of the LG? City People can tell you a bit about Comrade Valentine Oluwaseyi Buraimoh. We spent quality time with him last week and we saw him in action. He does not condone any form of indiscipline. He is proactive. He likes to get things done quickly.
We can tell you that his journey into pragmatic leadership dates back to the dark days of the military when he, as a student, in the company of his like-minded colleagues challenged and withstood the dictatorial anti-people and anti-student decrees and policies of the military junta. He continued in the light of the struggle when he loyally gave his unalloyed support to Alaba Olajide Foundation which he coordinated. He was the South West Coordinator for the Centre for The Defence of Democracy (FTDD). He is a member of The Mandate Group of Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN); now called All Progressives Congress (APC).
He was one of those who relentlessly pursued the ideals of PRONACO, with his mentors like Chief Anthony Enahoro, Dr. Beko Ransom Kuti, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Prof. Wole Soyinka, to mention just but a few. Their main aim was to stamp out corruption and hypocrisy from governance and to entrench a people’s democracy in Nigeria by producing a people constitution.
He was also the Youth Leader of Action Congress (AC) in Ward B2 of Amuwo Odofin Local Government; National Mobilization Officer of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) between 2001-2002; Welfare Secretary of the Lagos State University Students Union between 1999 – 2000; member of the Students Union Parliamentary Council of LASUSU; Project Manager of UNILAG Post Graduate Communication Option.
The distinct and outstanding sacrificial performance of Buraimoh is not limited to the academia and community service. In 2008, his unflinching zeal for the welfare of the greater number of the people was systematically unveiled when Amuwo Odofin Local Government appointed him Head of Operations. His giant strides in that office meritoriously earned him the position of Supervisor for Works, Infrastructure, and Housing. His appointment was a confirmation of the wise saying that the character of any individual is defined by his vision. Encapsulated his vision the welfare and satisfaction of the people.
Buraimoh’s exploits helped to shape and define Amuwo Odofin Politics for the better by initiating purposeful, dynamic and finesse to grassroots governance. He conceptualized and supervised several projects that are now evidence of development in Amuwo Odofin. His tenure in office witnessed the greatest number and length of roads constructed in various strategic locations in the Local Government. In addition to this construction are quality boreholes for free access to water at Bishop Koji Village, Tomaro/Ifako Village, Ito-Agan/Igbo-Alejo Town, Festac Town, Mile 2 and Jakande Estate.
Engr. Buraimoh supervised the following works: Re-roofing of Administrative Block at 41 Road; Afinowi Block (Legislative Blocks) and Supervisors’ Block. He also oversaw the Construction of the modern exotic back-light signboards at Festac and Area Office Mile 2; 1.0m X 1.0m reinforced drain at Ado-soba and septic tank at Council Secretariat. To demonstrate his passion for unity ad togetherness, he coordinated and supervised the building of Council Chapel and Mosque side by side to engender religious tolerance.
The hallmark of Engineer Buraimoh’s excellent work in Amuwo Odofin is the supervision of the construction of the ultra-modern world class global standard Legislative Building known as Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu Freedom House in the Council Secretariat headquarter premises at 41 Road in Festac Town, Lagos State.
He also supervised the reconstruction of many roads in Amuwo Odofin Local Government such as 21 road, a two-kilometre road project, 22 road, a 1.9 kilometer road project, 401 road, 311 road, 312 road, 21 road I close, 41 link road, 7th Avenue by 72 road, 4th avenue road and many others just to m
As an ardent educationist, Engineer Valentine Oluwaseyi Buraimoh supervised the 6 blocks of classrooms in Tomaro and Itu Agan; renovation of classrooms in UPE Primary School, 3rd Avenue Festac Town, New Town Primary school 3rd Avenue Festac Town, 512 Primary, Festac Primary School at 7th Avenue, D Close Festac Town, Progress Pry School at 7th Avenue R Close, Central pry school- Block A 23/24 Road Festac Town. He supervised the construction of Town Hall and Doctor’s Lodge at Igbologun. He was also instrumental to the refurbishment of Amuwo Odofin Vocational Centre Ado Soba, Construction of New Administrative Blocks at Sagbokoji Pry School, Sagbokoji village and renovation of Amuwo Odofin Day Care Centre. Little wonder he deservedly earned several unparalleled merit awards, prominent among which is Award for the Best Supervisory Councillor in Lagos State in the year 2014. By the versatility and resourcefulness of Valentine Oluwaseyi Buraimoh prompted him to adorn Lagos State and Amuwo Odofin in the area of works and infrastructure. But he did not limit himself. He exerted strength and inner excellence also in the area of Environment and aesthetics for which the former Governor of Lagos State and now Minister for Power, Works, and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN) recognized and awarded the administration of Comrade Ayodele Adewale, under whom Buraimoh served as a Supervisor for Works and Infrastructure.
He is a great sportsman, supporter, participator and follower of sporting events. He played a key role in the renovation of sports center at 24 roads A close, formerly known as ‘’Suki’’, now renamed after late Prof. (Mrs) Jadesola Akande which accommodates basketball, handball, lawn tennis and football pitch and facilities.
Where is he from? We can also tell you. He was born to the family of Mr. and Mrs. Christopher Olanusi Buraimoh in Lagos State (Lagos Island Maternity) on 1st of April, 1977. He started his education at Holy Cross Catholic School where he obtained his First School Leaving Certificate. He thereafter moved to St. Gregory’s College, Ikoyi, Lagos where he passed his West Africa School Certificate. He pursued his Bachelor of Science Degree in Electronics and Computer Engineering at the Lagos State University (LASU). He later proceeded to University of Lagos for a post-graduate degree in Communication Engineering.
He then enrolled as a Corporate Member of the Nigeria Society of Engineers (MNSE) and Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN), after successfully passing his exams. He is also a member of Nigeria Institute of Electronics/Electrical Engineering and Institute of Engineering Technology in the United Kingdom.
Engr. Valentine Oluwaseyi Buraimoh has a range of diverse cognate and practical experiences from reputable firms like Bramm Nigeria Limited, Alakay Ventures Nigeria Ltd and Spectrum Communications Services Limited where he was exposed to on-the-job responsibilities which included, but is not limited to installation and maintenance of wireless, microwave radio for internet services and configuration of routers and switches for wireless transmission, just to mention a few.
When election time came last August he offered himself for office.
Engr. Valentine Oluwaseyi Buraimoh, having rated the Local Government as the most important tier of Government, volunteered himself as one of the few distinguished persons in Amuwo Odofin politics whose vision is borne out of the desire to put genuine smiles on the faces of residents and citizens and to prove that it is still possible to have selflessness in community service in Nigeria.
He has been Co-ordinator of Buhari-Osibanjo Campaign Group in Amuwo Odofin Local Government, as well as General Secretary of Akinwunmi Ambode Solidarity Group, Amuwo Odofin Local Government Chapter, an appointment that brought about the emergence of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Executive Governor of Lagos State, His Excellency Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode.
We almost forgot to tell you he is a very charismatic and detribalized leader who has made a landmark history in the area of Works and Infrastructure, environment, quality Health and Aesthetic Environment to the Glory of God and the dedicated team he worked with. These recorded achievements are mutually exclusive.
The change of leadership baton of responsibility from the last administration of the LG to Engineer Buraimoh, a ready and experienced hand in the area of Works and infrastructure, environment, human capacity development, ICT, economic management, administration and in the science of effective human co-ordination for maximum result, has led to rapid development in Amuwo Odofin to surpass that of any other Local Government in Lagos State.
Amuwo Odofin has been more than fortunate to have one of its own, an astute, forth right, capable, dedicated and visionary leader emerge as the next Executive Chairman. Engr. Buraimoh is an intelligent, humble and respectful, loyal party member who strongly believes in and upholds the Change Initiative of the All Progressives Congress.
He is courageous and committed to good governance and humble style of leadership as entrenched in the indefatigable National Leader of APC, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. With his ingenuity, entrepreneur acumen, scientific skills, organizational saavy, determination and sincerity of purpose, Amuwo Odofin Local Government is reassured of Engr. Buraimoh performing exceedingly greater than his predecessors.
-Seye Kehinde & Gbenga Gbadebo
