How My Late Dad Made Me Go Into Politics

• ABDULKABIR OGUNGBO, Gov. SANWO-OLU’s S.A. TAX

Few days ago, the Special Adviser to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Taxation and Revenue, AbdulKabir Opeyemi Ogungbo and his siblings held a talk of town fidau prayer in Surulere, Lagos State for their beloved father, Alhaji Ganiu Ayinde Salabiyu Ogungbo, who was an iconic politician of great repute in Lagos State. It was during the prayer session that Abdulkabir eulogized his beloved father who died gracefully at 99. He spoke at length describing how his father made go into politics. He also revealed how his guidance and influence has been helpful to him in the line of politics and other spheres of life. Below are excerpt from the tribute which was said in Yoruba language but was carefully translated into English Language:

If today’s occasion wasn’t like this, it will mean that God does not fulfil his promises. But because God fulfils every of his promises, I thank God on behalf of my late father for a life well spent. He is better described as a man who came, saw and conquered. Based on all the good testimonies and tributes said about my father, may God answers all supplications made on his behalf. May God Almighty overlook all the shortcomings made during today’s fidau prayer and grant my father paradise.

Our gathering here today is a way of appreciating my father for what he has done to every one of us seated here. Are we going to mention those he sponsored their delivery at birth or those he trained and sponsored their education right from their Primary School up to tertiary level. My father sponsored so many people through their University education. He even did more by helping some to secure good jobs. He never rested at that as he usually guided towards coping and becoming successful at the various places of work.

I am a living testimony to the above as my father was very instrumental at every level of my growth till date. My new appointment as the Special Adviser to Governor Sanwo-Olu on Taxation and Revenue, was made possible courtesy of my late father. One of my father’s aspiration which he made known even of his sick bed was that we should keep pushing, never lose hope until we ascend greatness in life.

He told us never to relent in our academic pursuits. He would say “if you have your first degree that doesn’t stop you from going for your second and third degrees and even taking it up to Ph.D. He advised us to continue acquiring certificates all through.

Islamically, during my Miya, my father was the backbone behind all my achievements of many years while I was then the president (Ameer) of the group. Back then people always saluted me as the president of the Miya not knowing that all I was doing was influenced by my father. My father was indeed all in all as he holds all the features of a complete personality.

My father’s participation in terms of mainstream politics in Lagos can be undermined. If not for old age that sets in, my father has what it takes to be part of the GAC members in Lagos State. In those days in Ibeju-Lekki, whenever the president of Nigeria was visiting the area, my father was always among those who Lagos State would assign to receive and host the president. My father was highly influential within the political sphere in Lagos State. He had held many leadership positions both professionally and in politics.

I was born and grew up to hear people call my father MD, Managing Director. By the time I was growing up, I then started aspiring to become an MD which I later attained to the glory of God. I became an MD in a company my father influenced me to join.

So, if I’m trying to celebrate my late father, it’s not that I’m being arrogant. I’m trying to appreciate him for what he has done in my life. My decision to stay back in Nigeria today was influenced by my father. He encouraged me to stay and following his advice has taken me this far.

My father is highly devoted. He never jokes with prayer. From time to time, he would organise prayer sessions for his deceased parents and wives at least 3 times a year. He did that on February 1, June 12 and October 1. He would also organise special prayer sessions whenever he visited his house in Ijebu-Ode. He was indeed a prayerful man. May God overlook his misdeeds and accept him as a worthy servant.

-Jamiu Abubakar

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