Towards the twilight of the last century when the dawn of the millennium was fast approaching, Bill Gates, American-based philanthropist and founder of Microsoft Corporation, said and I quote, _”As we look ahead into the next century, leaders will be those who empower others.”_
In the political history of Lagos State and by extension, Nigeria, one personality that perfectly exemplifies this philosophical standpoint of Bill Gates is Rt. Hon. (Dr.) James Abiodun Faleke, the super ranking lawmaker representing the good people of Ikeja Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Abuja.
In the last couple of years, I have had the rare privilege of working closely under the political tutelage of Rt. Hon. Dr. Faleke in Ikeja Federal Constituency and this gave me an ample opportunity to understudy, research and admire at close range, the nature of the leadership/stewardship portrayed by this great icon.
My conclusion is, Rt. Hon. Dr. James Abiodun Faleke is not just your regular political leader who does the norms, he goes beyond the usual and spring surprises just to ensure that people are comfortable.
Rt. Hon. Dr. Faleke is indeed a genuinely compassionate leader who loves and cares for the people from the bottom of his heart.
Like Bill Gate said, Faleke intentionally empowers people with the main objective of lifting everyone out of poverty and he has done this over one thousand times in the last couple of years.
AN NNOVATIVE REWARD SYSTEM
Rt. (Hon) Dr. James Abiodun Faleke is indeed a special ambassador divinely sent by God to make life better for his people and also alter the narrative of premordial politics and politicking in Ikeja Federal Constituency through his innovative reward system.
This system, which directly targets regular non-political voters in the constituency as primary beneficiaries of his empowerment programmes, is an innovation that is being commended right now, by all and sundry.
This special reward system ensures that confirmed residents of the constituency get premium benefits and empowerments from Hon Faleke without necessarily having any political connection or affiliation with any leader.
A classical example of this took place recently when thousands of beneficiaries were randomly selected from across Ikeja Federal Constituency without using any political structure, Influence or major criteria apart from from PVC and proof of residency.
At the venue of the empowerment, hitherto doubting beneficiaries were pleasantly surprised that the invitation extended to them were actually genuine.
For most of them, it was their first time of getting any direct personal benefit as citizen of the Constituency, thus they were extremely grateful.
FALEKE’S IMPRESSIVE POLITICAL TRAJECTORY
For those who have being following the political tragetory of Rt. Hon. Dr. Faleke in the last three decades, it is a clear fact that he has proven himself to be
a highly revered political strategist whose exceptional leadership influence and skills cut across Ikeja, Lagos and Nigeria at large.
From the outset of his career as the Executive Secretary of Ojodu LCDA, Lagos in 2003, Faleke went on to become a two term Chairman of the LCDA and also served as the Chair of Chair of Conference 57 Chairmen.
In 2011, he staged a political upset by securing the party’s ticket for House of Representatives and became duly elected represent the good people of Ikeja Federal Constituency at the lower chamber of the National Assembly same year on the platform of the then ACN.
FALEKE THE HISTORY MAKER AND JINX BREAKER
From his first electoral victory in the Constituency in 2011, there has been no looking back for the enigma called Faleke.
It has been a streak of winnings upon winnings and victories upon victories.
In 2015, 2019 and 2023 he was reelected for a second, third and fourth term respectively.
For the records, no lawmaker has ever been so re-elected even for a second term in the history of Ikeja Federal constituency, FALEKE did not only break that jinx, he went further to make history and the first ever Representative to be re-elected for a record four (4) terms in Ikeja Federal.
He is currently serving and doing great things in the 10th Assembly.
A RECORD OF TOP NOTCH REPRESENTATION AND UNPRECEDENTED EMPOWERMENTS
Over the last 13 years, as a parliamentarian, Rt. Hon. Dr. James Abiodun Faleke has not only been a vocal advocate of the people in the green chambers, with myriads of people oriented Bills and Motions, he has emerged a strong power broker, in the House.
At the end of the 9th Assembly in June 2023, Hon. Faleke has sponsored no less than 50 Bills and Motions, with 11 of the bills falling between 2019 and 2023. These include that famous motion that led to the reduction of JAMB fees about four years ago.
In his capacity as the Chairman, House Committee on Finance, Rt. Hon. Faleke remains a very powerful and influential member of the House who assists Mr Speaker in the affairs of the house.
Beyond all of these, he never lost touch with his people in Ikeja Federal.
In the last 6 years, there is no month that passes without Faleke touching base with the people through high quality empowerments programmes that is transforming the lives of both youth, women and the elderly. Job opportunities for the youth are also massive.
THE ODYSSEY OF A MASTER POLITICAL STRATETGIST
Over the years, Hon. Faleke has distinguished himself to be a superb manager of human and material resources, and of course these were the leadership qualities that made him the perfect choice for the role of South West Coordinator of the Buhari/Osinbajo Presidential Campaign Organisation in 2014, an assignment he handled and executed with dexterity to the delight of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Buhari, Osibanjo and everyone at the time.
These same qualities made him the ideal choice as the Secretary of the APC Presidential Campaign Council (PCC) of the Tinubu-Shettima Presidential run in 2022, a humongous national assignment he handled effectively, coordinating day to day activities and managing thousands of people and support groups across the country. The end result was the historic election of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR as the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in February 2023.
GREAT ASSET TO LAGOS JUSTICE FORUM
Being a master strategist who knows what to do to achieve success on any given assignment.
His antecedents as a hard working leader,totally dedicated to his duties recently earned him the prestigious position of the Coordinator of the JUSTICE FORUM in Lagos State. His appointment elicited wide jubiltaions across Lagos Justice Forum as members see Faleke’s leadership as a great asset to the group.
IN CONCLUSION
I can go on and on in showcasing the antecedents, personality, performances, leadership acumen, political sagacity, people’s skills and success nuggets of Rt. Hon. Dr. James Abiodun Faleke, as a matter of fact, this space would never be enough to chronicle the scorecard and achievements of the darling husband of our ever-graceful Chief (Mrs) Olubukunola Faleke, who that holds the prestigious title of Akorede Atunluse of Ikeja land.
Indeed, Rt. Hon. (Dr. High Chief) James Abiodun Faleke, is an uncommon, phenomenal and unusual leader who has utilised his God-given position, resources and connection to better the lives of common men and women in Ikeja Federal Constituency and beyond. Faleke is not just a leader worthy of emulation, he is indeed a leader that Nigeria and especially this current administration needs to tap more from his deep wealth of experiences to make our nation a better place. May God continue to reward and elevate him.
Service to the people continues
Alhaji Abass Abiodun-Bisimilahi writes from Ojodu LCDA, Ikeja Lagos
