As he looks ahead to the forthcoming Senatorial election, the Deputy Speaker of Lagos State House of Assembly and APC Senatorial candidate for Lagos Central, Rt-Hon Wasiu Sanni Eshilokun, exudes the confidence of a man who has the backing of his people and he sure does, going by his antecedent in public service and philanthropy.
In this cover page Story, Lekki People Magazine shines the spotlight on the man who is, unarguably, one of the most loved personalities in Lagos politics.
Story by Abayomi Ojo Daniel and Khadijat Olarewaju LEKKI PEOPLE MAGAZINE.
Thomas Woodrow Wilson, an academic and the 28th president of the United States of America, said that, "There is no greater service than to work for the Commons t good."
This wise saying can be fittingly used to describe the career and personality of Rt-Hon Wasiu Sanni Eshilokun, who is a loyal party man, philanthropist, astute grass root mobilizer, equal rights advocate and public servant, whose trajectory of Selfless service is laced with many visible fruits and honours.
Who is The Man…
"I’m your next door neighbour; I’m the man you can meet daily on your streets and engage in constructive discussion. I’m one of you, I relate with you, I eat and dine with you." - Wasiu Sanni Eshilokun.
It is a known fact that the greatest of all leaders comes from among the people and also shares their experiences and knows how best to serve them. To those conversant with the politics and life of Lagos Island, Rt-Hon Wasiu Sanni Eshilokun is a household name, one that has risen from the rank and file of the masses, above seemingly insurmountable obstacles, to become a widely loved leader who is well respected for his unflinching will to sacrifice personal gains for the general good.
He is also regarded by many as a down-to-earth leader who mingles closely with his constituency, therefore, when he describes himself as " one of you", it is clearly understood. He was born and bred here and has been mobilizing his community's support for good governance since the days of NADECO.
Early Years
Born into the Eshilokun Royal dynasty in Lagos state, Rt-Hon Wasiu Sanni Eshilokun grew up on the streets of Lagos-Island and the surrounding environs.
As a young chap, his innate urge to serve the greater good was already at the fore of his characters with a special inclination to organizing and lead his mates towards achieving positive goals. Hence, it was no surprise that he served as Head boy during his primary school days and as the library prefect while in secondary school. He also went ahead to become a prominent member of the SUG government as an undergraduate.
"Ever since these humble beginnings, fate has so continued to ginger his leadership guts, bringing him across greater opportunities to serve his people and to prove his" mettle."
Rt-HonWasiu Sanni Eshinlokun began his legislative career when he won a seat to represent Lagos Island constituency 1 at the Lagos state House of Assembly between 1999 and 2003. Thereafter, he served as the Senior Special Assistant to Governor Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Legislative and Political Matters between 2003 and 2007, before resigning to pursue his election to the Chairmanship position of Lagos Island Local Government Council which he won with a wide margin and was also reelected in 2011. Notably, his fame became more prominent during his tenure as the Chairman of the Lagos Island Local Government Area between 2008-2014, where he distinguished himself with his free education policy, free health care projects and the encompassing solutions he delivered to alleviate the sufferings of the common people including the youths and the elderly. Through his effort many poor families in Lagos Island were able to send their wards to school either on full or partial scholarships.
After his tenure as the Chairmanp of Lagos Island, he went ahead to serve the people in different capacities before he was elected as the pioneer state secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos State, 2014. He later resigned from his position as the party Secretary to contest for his old legislative seat (Lagos Island Constituency 1) and he won again with a large margin.
Owing to his wide influence and experience, it was glaring to pundits that Rt-Hon Wasiu Sanni's return to the legislative chamber was to vie for the speakership position, an intention which was soon made public, but could not be actualized largely due to legal constraints. Nevertheless, he was not a man to count scores and lay the siege of grudges, he settled for the position of the deputy Speaker and has continued to give maximum support to the common goal.
"Notably, from his days as a passionate school teacher when he delights in helping young lads build dreams, to his days as a ward leader for the defunct SDP, to when he became a member of the Lagos state house of Assembly, local government chairman and deputy speaker, he has been able to build a reputation for himself as a selfless servant, an accessible leader, a trustworthy team player and one whose words are his bonds."
The Man of Pedigree
Unarguably the most experienced and most qualified candidate jostling for the honor to represent Lagos Central Senatorial district at the National Assembly come 2023, Rt-Hon. Wasiu Sanni Eshilokun's emergence as the winner of the APC Senatorial ticket for Lagos Central is a mark of honour and confidence reposed on him by his party and the delegates who voted massively for him at the primaries where he defeated a former federal minister and other political bigwigs. The victory also accentuate the simple facts that he has the capacity both in Education and Experience - to deliver on the mandate. An articulate debater, vocal and logically mind-blowing in his arguments, Rt-Hon Wasiu Sanni Eshilokun is one who holds formal education in very high esteem. As he ensures that his constituency gets more, he also aspired and attained new heights in his quest for the golden fleece. Following his first degree in 1988, which was in agriculture, as a member of the Lagos State House of assembly, he had gone ahead to hone his Leadership and governance skills, bagging several certifications in the process. He did his Msc in International Law and Diplomacy at the University of Lagos, graduating as one of the best students, and thereafter proceeded to the Prestigious Harvard Kennedy School, Harvard University, where he earned a Certificate in Driving Government Performance. To further sharpen his Negotiating skills, he went to study at the Harvard Law School, Harvard University, where heearned another Certificate in Negotiation and Leadership.
He is one of the few Nigerian
legislators who have had the honour and privilege of attending plenary sessions of the US Congress, travelling across nine states in the United States of America, to understudy and do a comparative analysis of the American legislature and that of Nigeria. He also participated in several other legislative trainings and workshops, making him one of the most experienced legislators to be seen at the Nigerian Senate come 2023.
Wasiu Eshilokun Sanni Scholarship Award
As a leader who believes that proper education is the key to solving most societal problems, Rt-Hon Wasiu Eshilokun Sanni has held nothing back in promoting adequate education for his constituency. His annual scholarship award was started about a decade ago to assist struggling students in his constituency. By 2022, the scholarship has reached out to over 500 students across several higher institutions, regardless of religious creed or ethnicity. This is also one of the reasons he's so loved by many.
The Family Man
A man's ability to lead the majority is first tested by how well he leads his immediate family, therefore a man without a family has not much to lose and cannot be trusted with great responsibility. Rt-Hon Wasiu Eshilokun Sanni counts himself highly favoured to be married to Alhaja Olamide Bilikisu Sanni who he described as a home builder and the one who keep the family running during his busy schedules. They have been happily married for over two decades, with three children who are also doing well according to their father's good precept of proper education. Their first child Azeezat Sanni is a medical doctor who currently practices in the UK.
Lekkipeople
- September 25, 2022
