Hon. Abimbola Oshikoya is one of the sole administrators who wre inaugurated last year by his Excellency Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode. The intelligent, amiable and the youngest female who is the sole administrator of Isolo Local Council Development Area is one woman who are commitment, diligent and smart work is speaking for her in all ramification in the whole area of Isolo and it’s environ.
Hon. Abimbola in an exclusive interview with City People’s SUNDAY ADIGUN speaks on how she ventured into politics and how she is living her grand father’s legacy.
Who is Ambimbola Oshikoya?
Abimbola Oshikoya is a woman with style, a woman who is passionate about her community, about her people, a woman of so many parts.
Tell us about your background?
I was born into the Oshikoya family in 70s, talking about my primary school, I went to Our Lady of Apostle in Lagos, from there I moved to Omikeke High School, from there I went to Lagos City College, then I went to Lagos State University before I travelled to abroad for my Master.
Let’s talk about your journey into politics…
My journey into politics is very funny, funny because my parents are never interested in polics from day one, it was my grandfather that was a politician with the like of Jakande & Co., I think according to the history, my grandfather was imprisoned with Chief Jakande then. So I think that was the blood that runs in me because when I even told my mother that I want to join politics, she disagreed then I was serving in Alausa.
So what inspire your interest?
Like I said Abimbola is a woman of many part, I like mingling with different people, I like helping out, I wanted to give out to the community the flare was there, I listen to people and I am a giver.
As a female politician, what do you stand for or against that is reflecting in your administration?
I hate cheating, I hate people looking down on women, thinking we have no brain and should be confined inside the house as housewife, some men believes women don’t know anything. Since I assumed office, a lot of people have been given contrary opinion about a woman been the sole administrator of Isolo LCDA, they said Isolo for that matter, but here we are today, I am still standing, still strong.
So what have you done to support women in your community?
Yeah, we have done lots of empowerment programmes, in fact we just concluded one.
Tell me about your life as sole administrator of Isolo LCDA?
It has not been easy, it’s been a lot of challenges, people not respecting you, nor listening to you, people seeing you as if you are on your own, sending all kinds of message to insult you. So I see that as not pleasant at all.
People talking to yuo any how, because you are a woman, some people will even say “Obinrin sha ne e, mo ni iru e nile” i.e. You are a woman, I have your type at home, what do you know. People feels like politics is a men domineering world, so they snub women when they are trying to play their role, they think twice before dancing to your tune.
I want to assume that this is your first time holding a major post in politics
No.
That means I am wrong, then what have you done before this?
I have worked with a State Chairman, even I was in London, I was into politics. I was the Financial Secretary for Diaspora, it was when I came back I started working with the State Chairman as his P.A. from their I have served with various committee, so I have been active in politics since 2011.
Let’s talk about your achievements in Isolo LCDA?
When Gov. Ambode was campaigning, he always talks about his environment, his grassroot, that he wants cleaner Lagos. So when I assumed office the first thing I did, then there was still Saturday environmental sanitation, I never missed one, even on Thursdays, I go to the market to make sure that everywhere is clean, so I inculcate cleaniness into their habit. Secondly there is nothing like Youth Council in Isolo, or let me say they do have but there is always a faction. So I settled every rift between them and I have done couples of empowerment for them, and for women too, I am planning to something for the widow. I did back to school package for the school children, whereby we gave them bags, exercise books etc.
So we are trying our best, actually Governor said we should make ourself known to the community as part of our duty as sole administrator, so I make sure that I must do something in every two weeks to let them know that their sole cares about them.
Are you people aware of all these? Are they feeling the impact?
I don’t have problem with that at all, because I told them my office is free for all, I am transparent enough, I have also done lots of financial assistance, when they come I make sure I listen to them, so Isolo people has really accepted me as one of them, in fact some of the Chief said they want to give me a title (laugh) I think they have been accommodating.
How do you spend the time to relax?
My family are not yet back…(cut).
Are you married?
Yes, with kids, they live in UK with their dad, I always talk to them every night and on Sunday I always put my phone on silence and relax trying to catch up, I also go to cinemas once in a while with my friends, every Sunday evening.
You are the youngest female, what is your relationship with other female sole administrators?
We get along very well, you know I am a Yoruba girl, and I know they were older than me so I do respect them to the fullest even though, we are colleagues.
I still call them my mummy, my aunt and some of them loves me too.
So what do we expect from you after your tenure?
By God’s grace, I am going forward, I am not going to quit politics until I get to the top and I will continue helping my people.
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