In a enlightening encounter, researchers from various institutions engaged with Hon. Sanai O. Agunbiade, the former Majority Leader of the Lagos State House of Assembly, to gather insights and experiences from his time in office, also his Youthful Days.

The researchers, including Dr. Hellen Kilelo, a post-doctoral fellow from MOI University, Nairobi, Kenya; Dr. Isaiah Olayode, a doctoral candidate in the Institute of African and Diaspora Studies, University of Lagos (UNILAG); and Diekara Oloruntoba-Oju from Harvard University, USA, a doctoral fellow, are working on various research projects.

Dr. Kilelo is exploring “Women And Their Policy Contributions ln The Lagos State House of Assembly”, while Dr. Olayode is examining “Social Justice in African Society”. Diekara Oloruntoba-Oju is researching “Youths Life in Lagos”.

Hon. SOB Agunbiade shared his journey and insights with Dr. Helen Kilelo, in a recent interview. The former Majority Leader of the Lagos State House of Assembly, who served for four terms, spoke about his experiences and reflections on his time in office. Agunbiade’s background as a unionist and student leader prepared him for his role in politics.

Before joining politics, Agunbiade was a biology and chemistry teacher and a member of the Nigerian Union of Teachers, where he served as the welfare director. His experience as a student legislator and president of the student parliamentary council at Lagos State University (LASU) also helped shape his political career.

Agunbiade contested his first election in 2003 but didn’t win the party ticket. However, he persisted and won the primaries and general election in 2007. He went on to serve four terms, breaking the precedent of one-term limits in his constituency.

Throughout his time in office, Hon. SOB Agunbiade was assigned to various committees, including Commerce and Industry, Judiciary, Human Rights, and Public Petitions. He also served as the Majority Leader for two terms.

According to Hon. SOB Agunbiade, the process of how a bill becomes a law in the state, it begins with the introduction of the bill, which is slated for first reading. This is followed by a second reading, where the bill is debated by lawmakers.

If the bill is deemed worthy, it is sent to a relevant committee for further scrutiny. This committee is responsible for organizing public hearings, where stakeholders and members of the public can discuss the bill. This is a unique feature of the Lagos State House of Assembly, and it ensures that the public has a voice in the legislative process.

During the public hearing, the committee invites experts, stakeholders, and members of the public to share their thoughts and opinions on the bill. This is an opportunity for the public to contribute to the legislative process and ensure that their voices are heard.

After the public hearing, the committee prepares a report and presents it to the House of Assembly. The report is considered, and if approved, the committee works with the legal department to draft a clean version of the bill.

The bill is then sent back to the House for third reading, where it is finalized and sent to the governor for his signature. Once the governor signs the bill, it becomes a law that is enforced in the state.

He also discussed the challenges of passing the Anti-Land Grabbers bill, which took three years to pass. He credited his success to the support of his mentor, the Chairman of the House Committee on Lands, and Professor Smith from the University of Lagos who is a Professor on land matters as well as Professor Owasanye from the Nigerian Institute of Legal Studies.

In conclusion, Hon. Agunbiade posed a question to Dr. Kilelo, wondering why women often seem to be their own worst enemies when it comes to supporting each other in politics. Despite women having a larger population than men, they often fail to support one another.

Dr. Helen Kilelo, a post-doctoral researcher from Moi University, Kenya, commend Hon. SOB Agunbiade for his outstanding contributions to the Lagos State House of Assembly. Dr. Kilelo, who is currently conducting research on women’s policy contributions in the Lagos State House of Assembly, has also been impressed by his vibrant and impactful contributions during his four consecutive terms in the house.

Dr. Kilelo stated that she had read about Hon. Agunbiade’s contributions and was delighted to learn more about his experiences. She asked about him from the research directorate of the Lagos State House of Assembly, and they facilitated an interview with him.

Dr. Kilelo expressed her admiration for Hon. Agunbiade’s dedication to the welfare of the people and his rigorous work ethic, which has earned him a distinguished reputation as a lawyer and a leader. She noted that his ability to serve four terms is a testament to his hard work and commitment to the people he represents.

She expressed her gratitude for the opportunity to interview him and looks forward to following his progress and continued contributions to the people of Lagos State.

Title: Hon. SOB Agunbiade Inspires with His School Days Story

Date: July 10, 2024

Lagos, Nigeria – In a heartwarming and inspiring conversation, Hon. SOB Agunbiade, the former Majority Leader of the Lagos State House of Assembly, shared his school days experiences with Diekara Oloruntoba-Oju, a doctoral fellow from Harvard University, USA.

Diekara, who is working on a research project titled “Youths Life in Lagos”, conducted the interview via a video call with Hon. Agunbiade, seeking to understand his journey and experiences that shaped him into the leader he is today.

Hon. Agunbiade reminisced about his school days, sharing stories of perseverance and determination. He spoke about how he never gave up on his dreams, even in the face of challenges, and how he took up leadership positions that eventually paid off in him becoming a better person after school.

He shared words of wisdom with the youth, urging them to embrace education, hard work, and responsible living.

“Youths should read a lot and be wary of quick money,” Hon. Agunbiade advised. “When you work in a right way, money will come. There’s no shortcut to success.”

He also cautioned against the dangers of cultism, emphasizing that it leads nowhere. “Desist from cultism and focus on your future,” he warned.

In addition, Hon. Agunbiade stressed the importance of parental responsibility, noting that Government alone cannot solve all problems. “Parents should be responsible for their children’s upbringing and well-being.”  he said.