[dropcap]I[/dropcap]f humans are truly fair to what comes from their mouths about Austin Ekene Ituwe’s (a.k.a Baba-Rere) humanitarian gesture, the hope of those trying to fake reality to get support in fulfilling their political aspirations, are definitely sealed up ahead of the 2019 elections.On the other hand,if winning elections are based on passion to curb hunger, thirst and practical demonstration of love for development, love for others and doing good with one’s hard earn resources, Austin Ekene Ituwe’s simply has no rival within and outside as his humanitarian lifestyle spells doom for all his rivals’desperation.
Perhaps, a man’s hunger and thirst for making a difference or adding value to the lives of people,is not largely measured on the basis of his privileges and access to power, control, possession or linkage to governmental finance base, but his actions with the little he has. The later is typical of Austin Ekene Ituwe’s being a fanatic of the dictum, “it pays to be good”.Before stepping into the House of Representative contestation upon plea by the people, a careful analysis of his lifestyle, evidently shows that, doing good and being good are natural qualities that have kept him on constant check in his inter relationship which internally propels him to ensuring that smiles are put in the faces and hearts of those around as well as those who come in contact with him. This no doubt, earned him respect and love of the people as a man after their heart.
Beside his push by the people to join the 2019 House of Representative contest and rescue the good people of Osodi/ Osolo constituency II from bad representation, the name Austin Ekene Ituwe rings bell in the light of well doing, hence, to very many, “Austin Ekene Ituwe” is synonymous with kindness, humility and good doing.To others, he is a symbol of love, affection and kindness. From the growing mass support he enjoys from the day of his call by his people, his acceptance and up till now, its a conviction that, no man forces himself to be loved or wins his way into the hearts of men. Following his unconditional free -handedness, cheerful giving, care and concern for development dating to his days of little beginning until now, widows, the aged and grassroots people across the constituency have in addition, nourished his House of Representative quest with praise and prayers to succeed and to expand his scope of love through effective and purposeful representation. In this interview with Grassroots Publishers, a unionist and Entrepreneur and also House of Representatives aspirant, Austin Ekene Ituwe, explains why he is in the race.
Excerpt:
Can we meet you sir?
My name is Austin Ekene Ituwe (a.k.a Baba-Rere). I hail from DeltaState but was born and brought up in Lagos State. I have lived almost all my life in Lagos, so I can as well say I am from Lagos state.After my primary and secondary education, I proceeded for my first degree program all in Lagos and after which I went for myMasters Degree program at Ladoke Akintola University, Ogbomoso where Istudied Information Technology. I also have HND in ElectricalElectronics (Telecom option). Sequence to now i worked with a multinational company called S.C Johnson as- Improvement Engineer and an Entrepreneur too.
You seem to have interest in politics. What really encouraged you?
Yes, you have said it right. I have interest in politics because I have come to realize that “Politics is a dirty game” as always said by many Nigerians most times does not play out as said because we still have genuine and Godly personalities who are into politics in this country. That has encouraged me to succumb to my people’s plea to represent them in the Green Chamber. You see, in politics, the first principle of unalienable rights recognizes that everyone is naturally endowed by the creator with certain rights that cannot be infringed or given away. Amongst these rights are life, liberty and pursuit of happiness. A politician is involved in influencing public policy and making decision in government. He is concentrated voice of the people that make all efforts to improve his constituency and peoples’ welfare; someone who considers himself as a servant and people his paymaster. This is how I see politics and these are my watchwords. I can now say that I am a politician because I have come to see how I can add value to my constituents.
Sir, back to your political ambition, on which platform are you contesting the election?
I am contesting under the platform of Providence People’s Congress (PPC).
Sir, Is PPC visible in Lagos State?
Yes it is. I can assure you that PPC is visible.
Does PPC have the capacity to dislodge the APC?
The PPC has the capacity politically to dislodge the APC or any other political party in a free and fair contest. It also has the capacity to bring the of dividends of democracy to our grassroots people.
Sir, Which position are you contesting?
I am interested in the House of Representatives for two reasons: One is that it is the more vibrant of the two chambers in the National Assembly. This is in tune with my own orientation as a trade unionist,a freedom fighter and Human right crusader. I realised that it is in the House of Representatives that people express themselves most and it affords you the opportunity to meet and network with fellow Nigerians from various backgrounds and competencies and also across gender as well as age groups.That is where the strategic population is also concentrated because that’s where you have the youngest people with multi-disciplinary backgrounds, exuding energy and knowledge on how the country could be properly governed. As I said earlier, I am Providence Peoples’Congress (PPC) candidate vying for seat in the House of Representative for Oshodi-Isolo Constituency II in the forthcoming 2019 general elections.
Sir, you really hammered on encouragement. Can you throw more light on that?
By encouragement, I mean that my people’s plea and pressure to represent them in the Federal House of Representative has become a thing of honour to me. That inspired my aspiration; I never knew that they have been monitoring my activities and lifestyle. Even when some stakeholders from the ruling party, SDP and PDP told me of their intention for sponsorship because of my antecedents, I was shocked and dumbfounded. These are my source of courage. Though during my school days, I have had the opportunity to represent the students as the President of Students Union Government but I felt that was a small office to hold as at that time but I have always come to realize that each time there is need to proffer solutions to some issues, they always resort to me for advise and solution. I never took note of that until I got into the industry; I was approached by my HR to be the President of our Trade Union as at that time. I felt I was just a junior staff and cannot be in control of senior staff in the office.
But after much persuasion, I took up the task and after four years unknown to me; I recorded tremendous transformations in the union. My distinguished and glowing performance while at the industry made the staff to change my name from Austin to “Baba Rere”. So, these antecedents and more are what I want to offer to my people and I promise not let them down if elected.
As we all know that election in Nigeria is an expensive venture, how prepared are you financially?
By the grace of God, I am well prepared. I thank God I am not a pauper. As I told you earlier, my coming into politics was through the efforts of my constituents. In my constituency, I have people who cut across parties like PDP, APC, professionals, and Intellectuals, who have what it takes to sponsor this agenda financially. As I speak now, I am almost 100% financially ready to kick-start my campaigns because I know the caliber of people who are supporting for this race.
What agenda do you have for your people?
Over time, this constituency has had poor representation and the people have not benefitted from the dividends of democracy. That is why I have come to change the order of this representation in a democratic way. In this constituency, we cannot boost of tangible projects done in this constituency. I want to assure you that I will change the system of representation and bring the democratic system into play. I won’t start mentioning my agendas one after another but one thing I believe is that action speaks louder than voice. One major problem this constituency has is erosion because I have gone round and seen that most of these link roads have been washed off by erosion and the representative we have has done nothing about them. This is one of the reasons why I solicit for my people’s vote to enable them enjoy the dividends of democracy.
What is your message to your people?
My message to the people of the constituency to continue to toe the line of peace, remain calm and focused throughout the election campaign. I promised that if given the mandate by the good people of Oshodi-Isolo Constituency II, I will initiate policies and programmes that will put smiles on the faces of the people of my constituency The youths should desist from election thuggery and avoid anything that will lead them into crime. I also sincerely urge them to troop out in their large numbers in the forthcoming 2019 general elections to vote for their candidate under Providence Peoples’ Congress, (PPC) for the Federal House of Representative for quality representation and better health, youths empowerment and town hall meetings. Let’s join hands to build our constituency.
By: Grassroots Publishers