•Details Of The Maternity Trust Fund Project
Chief Kamardeen Lanrewaju Mabinuori was a popular politician in Lagos till he died on 15th August 2020. A few days back, the official launching of a foundation in his honour was held in Lagos by his children.
Chief Kamardeen Lanrewaju Mabinuori (KLM) was a philanthropist, community leader par excellence, grass roots mobilizer, administrator, businessman, progressive politician, traditional chieftain and an illustrious son of Epe.
He was born on 20th March 1946 to Pa Razak Ajayi of Ita Osugbo Quarter in Epe and Alhaja Amudalat Abegbe Ajayi, one of the daughters of Chief Muhammed Oloto of Ebute Metta, Lagos. He began his education at Abomiti Primary School. Epe. He later attended Local Administration Modern School. Epe and Anglican Commercial School, Ijebu-Ode. He capped his western education with a Diploma in Public Affairs and Management awarded by the prestigious University of Lagos.
Chief Razak belonged to the class of self – made achievers. From a humble background, he moved up the social and economic ladder by dint of hard work, tenacity of purpose, personal sacrifices and divine grace. He knew his callings as manager of men and resources early in Life and devoted his attention and resources to its pursuit. Thus, while he was working as Insurance Manager for British American Insurance in Lagos, he ventured into private business. He started with civil construction, beginning with the famous KLM Block Industry in Epe. The block industry grew into an oak, the now famous Righteous Construction Company, with its headquarters in Yora. He was also the Chairman of Rivebond Nigeria Ltd.
He began his career in public service in 1979 as Councillor in Epe Local Government on the platform of Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN), and served as Chairman, committee on works, until 1983. He was elected the Executive Chairman of the Epe Local Government from 1994 to 1995 on the platform of Social Democratic Party (SDP). Before the merger of Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) and other progressive political parties to form the All Progressives Congress (APc), he was at various times from 1999 to 2004 the State Chairman: National Vice Chairman (Southwest) and Deputy National Chairman, All Nigerian Peoples Party (ANPP) and ANPP Gubernatorialcandidate in Lagos State in the 2004 general elections.
Chief Razak served the government of Lagos State in various capacities. For example, he was summoned to duty during the administratiqn of Group Captain Gbolahan Mudasiru, Military Administration of Lagos State (January 1984 – August 1986), to mediate between the State Government and Epe community at the height of a tax and tenement rate crisis which had degenerated into a protracted face-off between government and the people. Through his intervention, the prolonged crisis was resolved within two days. Also, when he was executive chairman of the Epe Local Government, his administration delivered over 100 units of low-cost housing to the people within a year. In recognition of his meritorious services, he was appointed as a Commissioner for Public Transport in Lagos State in 1996.
Chief Lanre Razak, was a force to reckon with in the traditional politics of Epe and neighbouring communities. He was a staunch member of Egbe Fowosere, his age-group in Epe. When the demise of the sitting Balogun of Epe Chief Moibi Oluwo created a vacancy in 1997. Chief Lanre Razak assumed the title of the Balogun of Epe. He was until then the Otun Balogun of Epe.lt was not a happenstance that he emerged as the Balogun.lt would appear that life had prepared him for the position. being a descendant of an aristocratic military class of Lagos. His maternal great grandfather. Fagbayi, was a direct descendant of Ojuro, Chief Olorogun Agbaje of Lagos. Balogun Razak’s pedigree suitably positioned him for the title.
The political. social and cultural relevance of Chief Lanre Razak extended beyond Epe, especially among the royalty. For instance, by a consensus of most Obas and traditional heads in Epe Division, and with the approval of His Royal Highness Late Oba Akeem Okunola Adesanya, the former Alara of llara, who was then Chairman Council of Obas in the Division, Chief Razak was conferred with the title of Balogun General of Epeland. The implication of the recognition for power politics within Epe Division is that henceforth Balogun Lanre Razak became ‘first among equals’ as far as the Balogun chieftaincy title holders are concerned in the towns that make up Epe Division. Besides his title as Balogun of Epe, he held several other traditional and religious titles. He was Fiwagbade of Lagos, Otunba Jagungboye of Odo Iragunshin, Bobagunwa of llara Remo. Maieobaje of Olofin Ajaye, Agbasakin of Remo, and Mogaji Adinni of Nigeria, among others that are too numerous to mention.
KLM was a strong advocate of the development of Epe and the uplifting of the people. He was an active sponsor of youth and community development programmes, one of which is the Lanre Razak Cup, an annual state-wide youth football competition organized by the Lagos State Grassroots’ Soccer Association. He was a lover of culture and scholarship. The quality inspired him to single-handedly endow a grant in 2016 that funded historians and anthropotoqtst from 7 Nigerian universities to do a collaborative research and produce a book on the Balogun institution in Yoruba land, the first of its
kind on the chieftaincy.
Chief Razak was a bridge builder in his home town. He was well respected as a consummate gentle man of peace within the social circles in Epe. He was a member of the Police Community Relations Council (PCRC) in Epe Local Government. Chief Razak was a founding member and. indeed, one of the brains behind Epe Club, a community-based social and development organisation of the town, established to promote harmony and peaceful co-existence among the people. He was twice the president of the Club.
Chief Lanre Razak bestrode the political landscape of Epe like a colossus. An admirer described him in the following way: ‘A politician whose doors are always open even after elections: a politician who picks his calls all year round: a politician who is always close to his people despite his wealth, exposure and clout; a politician who is able to accommodate all irrespective of political affiliation; a community leader who does not have a boundary when defending the interests of his community: a dogged fighter when the need arises and: a cheerful giver with a large heart:’
A testimony to this was the way his home on No 16, Lame Razak Street. Papa, Epe became a sort of political mecca, thronged on a daily basis, especially on weekends by well-wishers, supporters and political associates. It was not a surprise too that his home town of Epe was packed with sympathizers, political associates and beneficiaries of his philanthropic gestures, who had come to pay their tributes, hours after the news of his death on 15th August 2022 was made public. His legacies in politics, governance and community development in Epe land will remain indelible, and will be missed by all.
His son, Barrister Adebayo Ibrahim Razak explained that The Lanre Razak Foundation (the Foundation) was ‘estabushed in honour of the memory of his late father who passed away on 15th August 2020. The Maternity Trust Fund Legacy Project (the Legacy Project) is one of the ways the Foundation gives back to the community. The Legacy Project was birthed out of a life transforming experience I had on Saturday 23rd October 2021. This experience is best captured in the timeless words of Mahatma Gandhi-‘Any good that I can do or any kindness that I can show to any human being. let me do it now. Let me not defer or neglect it. for I shall not pass this way again’. It was about riam that day when I set out for Epe. I was stuck in heavy traffic and I remember feeling very regretful for not setting out earlier. It was while I was on the phone that I heard a deafening scream coming from the danfo bus next to my car. The scream continued for about twenty minutes and as it continued. it became familiar and I recognised it to be the same scream of my wife when she insisted that I remain in the labour room during the birth of our son weeks prior.
I asked the passengers in the danfo bus whether the lady screaming was in labour to which they yelled
‘YES!’I was immediately gripped with the fear of the lady’s survival and that of the baby as we were still stuck in traffic and had barely moved pass the Chevron Toll Plazas. Upon enquiry. it was discovered that the closest Mother and Child Center was in Ogombo while the hospital the lady registered at was in Awoyaya.1 could then hearthe lady shouting. ‘THE BABY IS COMING ooo’. .
Instinctively. I asked that she be brought into my car as the danio driver had become frustrated and confused with the experience. The lady was gasping for breath and suddenly became faint in the car. I urgently set out on an okada to find the closest private hospital while my driver. with the help of a mobile police man. tried to manoeuvre out of the traffic. While all this was going on. the baby made her grand debut into the world right inside my car and thankfully. we reached a private hcspital-in the nick :lftime.for nurses end doctors to receive and care for mother and child.
I recall that the lady was initially hesitant when we ardved at the private hospital and she made this very clear to us due to the bill that she would have had to settle for the medical care she and her baby would
receive Thankfully. I was able to sort her medical bills and it was from that moment that the thought of a channel through which pregnant women could acce-ss financial aid and support began to permeate my mind. I am immensely blessed to have been a part of thi remarkable story and whenever I remember this story. I cannot but think of the spirit of kindness. loving nature and generosity that my father instilled in me. For these virtues, I am eternally grateful.
The Legacy Project is therefore a true reflection an an expression of Late Chief Lanre Razak’s loving
nature. kindness and generosity to humanity. Working hand in hand with the Epe General Hospital. Maternity and Child Care Centre. recently commissioned by His Excellency. Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the Executive Governor of Lagos State. the Legacy Project will help eliminate the child mortality rate in Epe by providing financial grants and support to indigent mothers in Epe during their pregnancy and the birth and delivery oftheir children.
My family and I are incredibly grateful to be a part of this life changing agent. commissioned in honour of my father. and we invite you to partner with us as we launch the Lanre Razak Foundation’s Maternity Trust Fund Legacy Project.