LAGOS Lawmaker, Hon. STEPHEN KAYODE OGUNDIPE
At the Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. Ogundipe Stephen Olukayode’s personality looms large. He is the Lawmaker representing Oshodi -Isolo constituency 1. No doubt, Honouranle Ogundipe is a towering figure in the house. He is hugely respected by his peers for his depth of knowledge on the dynamics of politics and governance and his solid display of native intelligence which has enabled him handle very tricky issues in the house with remarkable tact. This is why he has earned the applause of many for his brilliant discharge of his duties as the Chairman House Committee on Information, Strategy and Security.
Many will recall that, a couple of months ago when the Lagos Assembly was embroiled in intense leadership crisis, Hon. Ogundipe was constantly in the eye of the storm, handling the very challenging task of regularly engaging the media at such a turbulent period and letting Nigerians know exactly what the situation was. In the end, the house weathered the storm, peace has been restored and the Lagos Assembly is united and has remained as strong as ever. Most notably, it must be said, Hon. Ogundipe came out of it all unscathed. He held his head high all through the very nervy and tension filled period of the leadership crisis that very nearly rocked the house to its foundation. While a couple of his colleagues lost their originally held positions after the dust had finally settled, he not only retained his position as Chairman House Committee on Information, Strategy and Security, but also got resounding commendations from all and sundry for his impressive handling of the grueling situation.
Today, Hon. Ogundipe discharges his duties with unwavering commitment and enthusiasm and speaks proudly of his colleagues and Speaker, the Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa whom he described as an outstanding leader and the Lagos State House of Assembly as a whole.
At the recently held Global Excellence Awards for Excellence which took place last Saturday, May 18th, 2025, at Etall Hotels and Halls on Kudirat Abiola Way, Ikeja, Lagos, the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa was honoured with the Speaker of the Year Award. Hon. Ogundipe and a few of his colleagues were present to pick the award on his behalf. Shortly after they were presented with the award, City People’s Senior Editor, WALE LAWAL (08037209290) had a brief chat with Hon. Ogundipe Stephen Olukayode. He spoke glowingly about his leader, Obasa and expressed confidence that the Lagos Assembly is more than poised to meet the expectations of Lagosians now that the storm in the house is over. Here are excerpts of the interview.
Congratulations, sir, on the award you just received on behalf of the Speaker of the Lagos state House of Assembly, the Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa.
Thank you very much.
Tell us, sir, what does this award represent to Mr. Speaker and to the Lagos House of Assembly as a whole?
First and foremost, we want to appreciate Global Excellence for also finding us worthy to receive such honor. You understand where the Lagos House of Assembly is coming from. And there’s no doubt that the Assembly has been a pride in the country. This explains why other legislators want to come in and see all the things we’ve been doing to make it stand out from the rest as the leading State House of Assembly in the country. And that is a house that prides itself as above global standards of excellence. It’s the house that takes to the fore whatever is going to bring about developmental strides in the country. We are always number one and of course, you can check and cross-check. And when you consider the level of Honorable members on ground at the Assembly, they were all duly elected from their various constituencies and they are the best hands in each of those constituencies and that’s why you see the high volume of the dividends of democracy that are being enjoyed by the people in each of those constituencies. Globally, you see lots of investors also coming into Lagos to discuss business expansion and developmental issues with Nigeria, despite the fact that Lagos State is just a state out of the 36 states plus 1.
The Speaker received the Speaker of the Year award, give us a few things that you think places him ahead of his peers across the country.
Well, number one is that the speaker has been on ground for some time. He is very experienced. For him to have excelled and become a three-time speaker in a state of excellence like Lagos, that shows that he’s above board. That shows he’s got something unique. That shows he knows what and what it takes to be there. And that also shows that he has been able to lead effectively. It also shows that his background is solid and that it’s no fluke that he became the Speaker of the House three times, despite the fact that he has been in the house for this long. So it’s telling Nigerians something, that he’s somebody you have to watch out for. Somebody who also has what it takes to move our nation forward. It is a good one and we are indeed proud of him and what he has achieved.
It is heartwarming to see you and your colleagues come out here and pick this award on behalf of the Speaker. This shows that the house has weathered the storm of the last couple of months. Share with us, sir, how were you able to resolve the issues back then even after the reinstatement of the Speaker and what is the mood in the house at this time?
It is a united House. It is a House in harmony. Like I said, Issues come and we discuss them. We may disagree, it is part of the process, but we will reach a resolution that will be for the common good of the people. We will argue, we will be angry with each other, but we will always reach a collective resolution. And the most important thing is that the people that elected us, their views are respected. We have all sat down to dialogue and iron things out and we have put it all behind us now. We now focus on how to strive to achieve the many things that are expected for us to go and do out there. Yes, the storm came, like you rightly said, and we’ve weathered it and the house is back on its feet and we are fully united together.
What should Lagosians look forward to from the Lagos State House of Assembly going forward? We know you’ve been on break for a while, what should the people look forward to once the house reconstitutes?
Yes, we’ve been on break for a while, we’ve been working. We’ve been doing oversight functions. Even the house has sat almost three or four times after we resumed. And what we are also saying is that, you see, when the house is also on ground there, a lot of things, like many also know, will move. And that’s why I made that statement back there on stage, that if you are drawing your budget from Lagos, you have to join us on the ground there. And you must believe us that now we are fully back and things are going to work in tandem with Lagosians expectations and experiences, you should expect the best from Lagos. It’s always there. Lagos is always number one and we won’t deny Lagosians the best of legislation, the best of making sure that whatever budget that was there, it is for their own interest.
Finally, sir, before I let you go, at the time the House was embroiled in that crisis a while back, a lot of impressions and conclusions were reached concerning the Speaker. You are someone that works very closely with him, that’s why you’re here standing in for him, tell us, how would you describe the personality of the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa?
Well, you can see for yourself, judging from the award he’s received here today. It shows the kind of person that he is. It shows his leadership quality. It shows that he is outstanding. And like I said, it’s not a matter of standing in for the Speaker, it’s a matter of standing in for excellence. It’s a matter of standing in for what Lagosians need at any point in time. Yes, there are issues. Even on the floor, we do have issues and it’s for us to say it in tandem with why you are elected there. Each of the 40 members there are all equal, but the Speaker is first among equals and that is also respected. That is the reason when you see us come out there to make our points, to make our views, it is not just about us, it’s about our constituencies and their demands and their views must be respected. So, the Speaker, like I rightly said, we are back together and things are moving on fine in the House.
