By Prince Olatoke Tajudeen Ademola
Leadership is not merely a title—it is a burden of trust, a call to serve, and a mission to uplift. In Ejigbo LCDA, we have witnessed what it means to have a leader with vision, purpose, and commitment in the person of Hon. Monsurudeen Oloyede Bello, popularly known as OBE.
His time in office has not only transformed our LCDA in visible ways but has also raised the bar for what leadership should truly represent.
I salute you, sir. Your track record is not just about physical infrastructure—it is about human empowerment, responsible governance, and sustainable development.
From community-focused programs to transparent administration and infrastructural renewal, your contributions will remain etched in the hearts of the people. May Allah continue to bless you and guide your steps toward greater heights in your political journey.
However, as your tenure draws to a close, one pressing question remains on the minds of many forward-thinking citizens and stakeholders:
Who will wear the big shoes of OBE?
This is not a question born out of sentiment—it is rooted in concern, in love for our community, and in a desire to safeguard the legacy that has been painstakingly built.
These shoes are not just large—they are heavy with responsibility, soaked in sacrifice, and molded by integrity.
Yes, many are showing interest in the seat. Daily we see aspirants parade themselves across platforms with glamorous photos and lofty promises. But beyond the gloss lies the real test: do they have the legs that can truly fit into these shoes?
Do they possess the maturity, the experience, and the genuine passion for service that this office demands?
Ejigbo LCDA is not a training ground. We cannot afford to gamble with our future. We do not need opportunists who see public office as a means to an end.
We need visionary leaders, men and women of character and competence, who understand that governance is about people, not personal gain.
We must separate the grains from the chaff. We must look beyond recycled structures, and beyond empty rhetorics. This is a time for honest reflection, and more importantly, a time for deliberate action.
While we acknowledge that some aspirants have shown potential and capacity, it is imperative that we—the electorate, the opinion leaders, the youth, the elders, and every progressive voice—scrutinize their intentions, examine their antecedents, and measure their vision against the standard that has already been set.
Chairmanship and Councilorship should no longer be reduced to political compensations. These are strategic positions that determine the pace and direction of grassroots development.
Our leaders must be people of ideas, people with plans, and people with a proven commitment to community development.
OBE has done his part. He has set the pace. What we need now is not just a replacement, but a successor.
Someone who will build, not destroy. Someone who will advance, not regress. Someone who will protect this legacy and leave behind one of their own.
To all stakeholders: let us rise above politics as usual. Let us be intentional about our choices. Let us support competence over connections, substance over style, and credibility over popularity.
The era of blind loyalty is over. The eyes of the people are open now, and we will not allow the achievements of today to be eroded by the indifference of tomorrow.
To Hon. OBE, l say: thank you. Your work will speak for generations to come. And to those who aspire to lead, we say: come with clean hands, clear plans, and a heart for service—only then can you hope to walk in the footsteps of greatness.
Written by
Prince Olatoke Tajudeen Ademola
