Quintessentially a Grassroots Driver

Peoples Democratic Party top notch in Lagos State, Chief Willy Akinlude, recently marked his 70th birthday at a ceremony graced by family and friends. Shola Oyeyipo pays tribute to a man generally known to have played grassroots politics at its best

Hate him or like him, whichever side of the divide you may be – whether you’re in his party or not – you’re bound to acknowledge Chief Willy Akinlude as one politician, who knows his onions in the game of politics. He’s remained a recurrent decimal in the extrapolations of grassroots politics, particularly in his domain, Mushin and by extension, Lagos.

Although pioneer Publicity Secretary of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Lagos State, former two terms chairman of Mushin Local Government, chairman, publicity committee, Lagos Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Patriots and more recently, chairman, Publicity Committee of the Jonathan/Sambo Campaign Council in Lagos State, those are not just the factors that stand him out; he is essentially a grassroots politician, who’s held his base solid for many years.

He is a quintessential example of one, who leverages on the opportunity at his disposal to attain his desires and take them several notches up. For instance, in the political turf, he has remained a conspicuous figure, rallying point and master strategist in Mushin over the years. He is an iconic grassroots politician, who plays both the state and national politics and effectively too.

His virtues and immense contributions to humanity were brought to fore on March 23, when he turned 70 years old. People paid tributes to a man whose life story and character are enough to inspire anyone truly committed to succeeding while striving for their goals, no matter the challenges that stand way.

Born in Erekiti-Luwoye, Ikaleland in Okitipupa local government area of Ondo State on March 23, 1945, into an average family of a tailor father and farmer while his mother was also into farming and petty trading, the future had seemed bleak for the young Akinlude, who aspired to get education at all cost. He, however, trudged on till he attained his heart desires, not allowing the many challenges that strewn his way deter his dreams.
After finishing his primary and secondary education in his hometown and faced with the possibility of not being able to get any further education at 18, Akinlude, in 1953 relocated to Lagos in search of greener pastures and it was there he secured a job as an advert agent with the Daily Times. When he began to get money to make ends meet, he registered for an evening school called ‘Odo Abore School’ where he passed his GCE ‘O’Level.

Though he aspired to become an engineer, his destiny would later take a different turn because of lack of fund to pursue his choice career, even at that, diligence paid off for him when some English representatives from England visited Daily Times in Lagos and were impressed with his commitment to duty. They urged him to travel abroad and learn how to do his job better. Thus, in 1974, he left for England to learn how reports were being sent to Lagos from Daily Times’ London office.

With the experience he garnered during his visit to London, Akinlude returned to Nigeria and floated his own newspaper called ‘Sporting Informant.’

Four years later, he cut his political teeth in 1978, when he joined the Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN) led by the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo and it was this trajectory that gave him the opportunity of becoming a local government chairman in 1993 and 1998, when Mushin local government then covered Oshodi-Isolo, Ejigbo, Mafoluku, Itire/Idi-Araba, Odi-Olowo, and Onigbongbo-Anthony up to Fadeyi in Ikorodu axis.

Recounting his journey through life in a recent interview with THISDAY, Akinlude, said: “I am not a Lagosian but won the election. That political feat earned me a nickname of ‘Political Ambassador’ of Ikale land.”
Propelled by his earlier aspiration to get education coupled with the feat he recorded by winning the election, at 48, he got admission at the Lagos State Polytechnic to study Business Administration.

“I went back to school in 1993 at the age of 48 because I felt there was a vacuum in my life that needed to be filled. After my election in 1993, I re-enrolled at the polytechnic. To some people, age can be an impediment for them not to realise their dreams but for me, I was determined. I coped as a senior citizen in the midst of younger ones. I was so excited about it because they accorded me a lot of respect. I was already a chairman of Mushin local government,” he recalled.

After obtaining the OND at the Lagos State Polytechnic, he went ahead to enroll for an equivalent of HND at Westgate, England.
Talking about his changed fortune from obscurity and poverty to becoming an issue in grassroots politics, Akinlude said: “Considering my life’s odyssey, I can see the hand of God in my endeavours. Life has taught me so many things which I have passed on to my children. Hard work and determination are very important in one’s life. At a time in my life, I was from a predominantly poor family, but didn’t allow that to hinder my aspirations. I had that determination to move forward and there was an unseen hand helping and pushing me forward.
“I was determined and God helped me. I have seven children and today five of them are graduates. In fact, some of them schooled abroad. I will continue to serve God, who has helped me beyond my expectations. I thank God for the level He has put me in the society. I’m not lacking among my friends and contemporaries. If God hadn’t intervened in my situation probably I would have been a peasant farmer in my village.

“But God in His infinite mercies turned my situation around. If you aspire for something which you could not achieve due to circumstances beyond your control, whatever your hands find doing, do it well and with God on your side success will surely smile at you. And if you are patient enough, God is there for everybody. One must also be focused along with determination to succeed.”

However, at 70, the septuagenarian had this to say about his life, “I celebrated my 70th birthday few months ago. I thank God for sparing my life. 70 is very unique and a great year in one’s life. I believe I have been able to cover many grounds by the special grace of God.

“I didn’t have university education but I ensured that all my children did go to the university both home and abroad. I don’t have any regret about life because God has been kind. Life is not a bed of roses but I have no regrets about life despite its ups and downs. I have seen the hands of God in my life. He is a present helper in terms of needs. I have been called upon to head one committee or the other.

“I consider myself a lucky man when I look at my contemporaries. Even in the house of God, I have not been found wanting. In the society against all odds one is reckoned with. What else do I want as a being? I thank God for my present position and what God has been able to do. All in all, I’m a fulfilled man. I had no godfather or brother to look up to when I launched out to be on my own but God came to my aid and assisted me.”

True to his revelation, he is celebrated – not only in the political terrain but even in the churches and other social organisations he belongs. He has been a recipient of several honorary and recognition awards.

During his birthday celebration, the Saint Jude’s Anglican Church, Diocese of Lagos Mainland, Lagos Island Club, Lagos Anglican Guild of Steward where he is the president and a long list of friends both in politics and outside politics had good words to describe him.
Recently, he PDP chairman in Lagos, Chief Tunji Shelle, described Akinlude as “A complete gentleman,” adding that: “He is man with wisdom. He is a sound politician and a sound mind. At 70, I wish him the best.”

Several others have also called him philanthropist, community leader, credible administrator, visionary, responsive, tested and trusted, assertive, icon of excellence, symbol of love and goodness, moon among the stars, father among fathers, a man of integrity, an enabler and several other good names.

In all, Akinlude, a reputable image maker of international standard and a die-hard fan of the Arsenal Football Club, who has an unbeatable track record in public administration, lives freely with people in his community and that is one of his political strengths. He is indisputably a grassroots mobiliser and has continued to live a life of good example in representative leadership.