By If there’s anything the not too young to run advocacy has done, it is the fact that it has brought to the consciousness of the youths the need to get actively involved in the politics of the day. Today, nationwide, the youths are getting involved in no small measure in the politicking and electioneering process as a warm-up to the 2019 election.
Badagry Constituency 1 is not left out of this development as the Constituency which is usually characterized with the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) carrying the day and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) posing as the major opposition is now a beehive of political activities due to the entry of new political parties and players.
A visit to the Badagry Roundabout is a clear indication that politics in the Constituency has taken a new dimension as posters of the different candidates vying for the Badagry Constituency 1 seat at the Lagos State House of Assembly in the 2019 elections are everywhere.
Also, one noticeable fact at the Badagry Roundabout is the posters of one of the youngest candidate in the contest that has added new vigor to the electioneering process. This candidate has been actively involved in community activities over the years and decided to take it to the next level with seeking political office.
This candidate is none other than Comrade Badaru Abiola Abdul-Basit Senapon, the flag bearer of the All Blending Party (ABP) whose political activities has in no small measure heated up the polity in the border town.
Born on the 15th of November, 1985 in the western part of Badagry to an Islamic Scholar, Sheik Alhaji Badrudeen A.A (The Grand Mufti of Kweme Kingdom) of the scholarly Ogu clan of Badagry. He bagged his bachelor and master’s degree from the prestigious Lagos State University (LASU).
Known for priding himself as the first indigene of Badagry to have become a Students’ Union President not only in Nigeria but across the globe. Basit is a dedicated, energetic, prolific young humanitarian activist, social crusader, public speaker and international lecturer. He is also a globally recognized personality with over 10 years of professional experience in local and international advocacy having worked with organizations such as The West African Union University, Lagos State Scholarship Board, ESEP LE BERGER, Joint Professionals Training and Support International.
Several years after graduating from the Lagos State University, Basit was admitted into the Graduate Finishing School as a fellow, Miwawiwe Foundation in partnership with Dooke innovation Centre where he had a total change of mind to venture into politics and to contest for a seat at the Lagos state House of Assembly 2019 as a state legislator.
The All Blending Party (ABP) Flag bearer while revealing his manifesto has promised to initiate policies and programmes that will put a smile on the faces of everyone in the constituency if elected to represent them.
When asked why he was into politics by journalists immediately after he declared his intention to run for office months ago, Basit without mincing any word assured that being inside the circle is the surest way of making a difference.
In his words, “Quite frankly, there have been times in the last 10 years or thereabout when venturing into politics via Lagos State House of Assembly seemed to me like a cesspool of corruption, an oasis of immorality and an open sewage of political prostitution. But then, our assembly is only a microcosm of the larger society from where our parliamentarians were drawn. In any case, it is in response to the faith and persistence of my people that I eventually accepted to seek candidacy for election in the Lagos State House of Assembly” He explained.
The 33 year old is known within the Constituency for his transformative leadership community mantra that includes; political transformation, socioeconomic transformation, infrastructural transformation, egalitarian representation, transparency, accountability and team work. He is often quoted for his high optimism in a Brighter and Stronger Badagry (BSB).
“Our roads are bad, our communities are subjected to two decades of darkness, our people die of hunger, our schools are nothing to write home about, and our leaders live in satisfying selfish or clique interests at the detriment of general and collective interests.
“It’s quite a long time now that Badagry has been regarded as an undeveloped community. But by God’s grace and assistance of Badagrians we shall build a Badagry that will compete with Dubai in terms of Economics, Social Political, infrastructural and environmental development.” The aspirant answered while entertaining questions from the press on his purpose for running for office.
Comrade Basit and his Gbaji Seme Border Youth in his various efforts of giving back to his community have spearheaded key community projects within the coastal area of Badagry West Local Community Development Area (LCDA) like facilitating the electrification of about 50 Communities within the Constituency subjected to over two decades of total blackout. The communities amongst others are; Gbaji, Aivoji, Oglogbo, Gbethrome, Asakpo, Boglo, Fanuvi, Yard, Ashipanu, Kenwemeh, Pengbo, Bapo, Azangbemeh, Agbathogbodhomeh, Aketegbo, Wesere Topa, Hovemeto, Totha, Snito, Gbegbome, Pitimeh,Falola,Ozinigbo, Kparada, Akpato, Whaingbmeh, Akoro-Kodji,Agorin Beach, Thosuvi, Yenawa but few to mention.
The Alumnus of LASU is the owner of Al–Baru Private School and Career Growth which is a fast growing training, recruitment, project management institutions that have helped over 200 youths excel academically.
According to reports, over the last two years, he has trained over 3000 youths from all walks of life on capacity development, employability, entrepreneurship, online digital skill and human rights activism
