The members of the Lagos State House of Assembly have collectively hailed the commendable leadership and decade-long stewardship of the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa.
They recently described his reign as progressive and impactful.
Proposing the establishment of a legislative institute and a yearly legislative awards ceremony to commemorate his incredible milestone, the lawmakers disclosed that Obasa’s contributions to the growth of Nigeria deserve to be immortalized.
Speaking at plenary on Tuesday, Hon. Oladipo Ajomale (Oshodi Isolo Constituency 2), under the Matter of Urgent Public Importance, declared that Obasa is a symbol of dedication, maturity, and focus in legislative leadership.
This month, Hon. Mudashiru Obasa celebrates a decade of being Speaker of Nigeria’s foremost House of Assembly, making him the longest-serving in the history of the Assembly.
When his tenure ends in 2027, he would have served as a speaker for 12 years. The next person with such longevity, Rt. Hon. Sabit Adeyemi Ikuforiji is a distant 2nd after spending 9 years and 4 months (December 29, 2005 – June 4, 2015).
Hon. Oladipo Ajomale further hailed Obasa for his brilliant handling of recent internal scuffles, stressing that it underscores his remarkable leadership qualities.
Also speaking, the Deputy Majority Leader, Adedamola Richard Kasunmu (Ikeja Constituency 2), commended Obasa’s impressive growth from a “good listener to a great listener and an actionable listener.”
According to him, Obasa, being a teacher and a father, has also helped him improve his leadership because he constantly demonstrates a good understanding of his environment while inventing ways to improve it.
“This evolution and the fact that Obasa has been a teacher, father, and brother to his colleagues, has been a cornerstone of your respected leadership, which demonstrates an astute understanding of the legislative atmosphere and a foresight to elevate it,” he said.
Hon. Owolabi Ajani (Lagos Mainland constituency 1) also referred to Obasa as “the greatest speaker of our time.”
Ajani stated that Mudashiru’s legislative skill is second to none, and his utmost commitment when it comes to getting things done is unmatched.
He added that it is not shocking that some stakeholders within the party and the state describe Obasa as “the strength and the pillar holding up this institution.”
Hon. Desmond Elliot (Surulere Constituency 1) contributed by praising the speaker’s dedication to ensuring that legislative actions benefit Lagosians directly.
“Whenever a new bill is brought to the floor, the speaker will always put the citizens first,” the filmmaker-turned-legislator said.
He then appealed to Obasa to detail his political journey and ideology in a book to serve as a legacy of knowledge for the future generation of lawmakers.
Reacting to the many praises and accolades, the grateful Speaker gave all the glory to God, his parents, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and the people of Agege, his constituency.
Celebrating them for the vital role they all played in his political journey, he maintained that his political achievements would have been impossible without their support.
“I joined the House in 2003, and they have always been there for me. Whatever I became today, Almighty Allah used people for me.
My colleagues, without your support, there is no way I can serve for 10 years. Whatever happens between us is a lesson to all of us. The value of this house is not only important to us but also to the people of Lagos. The only thing I ask for as a commemorative gift is putting the House first. It is your support that has made it possible for me to serve as the speaker. I thank you for this honour,” he added.
Despite a mini struggle along the way – his temporary removal by some colleagues at the beginning of the year – Obasa’s reinstatement in March and the several testimonials of his strength as a leader emphasise the respect and popularity his good work has earned him among his peers.
