[dropcap]H[/dropcap]on (Sir) Jude Emeka Idimogu of Lagos State House of Assembly has said that he is fully aware of the expectations of the people of his constituency from his administration, assuring that he will continue to work round the clock to ensure that his constituency is transformed and residents can feel the impact positively.
In an exclusive interview he granted, Hon. Idimogu said residents expect nothing short of good governance from him and that being at the helm of affairs was a task he was prepared to take on headlong and deliver on the job.He said that simultaneous projects are not about timing but fulfilling electoral promises.
Excerpts:
Can we meet you sir?
I am Hon.(Sir) Jude Emeka Idimogu. I am from Umuezela Abuke in Ihitte Ubuoma local government area, Imo State. A member in the Lagos State House of Assembly representing Oshodi/Isolo Constituency II. I was born on 23rd December, 1969.I am happily married to an Ogun State woman, Lady Roseline Enitab Idimogu(Nee Kuku) from ijebu-Ode since 1990. This marriage has Produced three children all born in lagos state.
Briefly tell us your background story, sir?
I started visiting Lagos from my secondary school days in 80s and started living in lagos 1989.I completed my primary education at community primary school Abueke in Ihitte Uboma LGA in Imo state,thereafter proceeded for my secondary school education at Boys secondary school Ekwerazu Ahiazu Mbaise,Imo state from 1980-1984,later completed my A-level at methodist boys high school lagos. Later, I proceeded to Yaba college of technology Yaba where I studied accounting from 1991 to 1998 and obtained my HND in Accounting and was also admitted into Ambrose Ali University Ekpoma from 2003-2007 where I obtained my BSc in Accounting. I qualified as a Chartered Accountant in May 2000. As a result of my quest for education, I later attended Lagos State University, Ojo main campus(LASU) from 2007-2009 where I obtained MBA in marketing. Professionally, I am a member of Chartered Institute of Accountants of Nigeria(ICAN).I am also a member of Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria(CITA). In terms of my working career, I have worked with NEPA,NIBD Trustees Ltd,Savannah Bank Plc,Intercity Bank Plc now Unity Bank Plc before venturing into private business. I am the Chairman/CEO of JPM Group of Companies which is made up of JPM Dollars Bureau De Change Ltd, JPM Consulting Ltd, JPM Oil & Gas Ltd,and Gods Heritage Integrated Ltd.Presently. I am the 1st Vice Chairman of Canal Community Development Authority at Ilamoshe Estate Oke-Afa Ejigbo for the past 5 years and the 1st Vice Chairman of Association of Bureau De Change Operators of Nigeria,(ABCON) South-West Zone.Religiously, I am a catholic faithful; a member of Knight of Saint Mulumba, Idimu sub council.I am also a member of CMO(Catholic Men Organization of Nigeria) and presently the Chairman of Local Organization Council(LOC) Bishop Martins Adewale Football Competition among all Catholic church in Lagos Archdiocese.
Sir, what inspired you to go into politics?
Well, I believe that every human being is a political animal. But what really inspired me the most is my love for service to humanity.I so much believe in giving back to the society no matter how painful it may seem to be.That is why even before I joined politics, I single-handedly graded two roads in my street for the people of the community. I am an extrovert and that is why as a Banker, I moved into marketing in order to meet people. I fully joined politics during former President, Goodluck Jonathan’s Second tenure bid in 2015 when I was invited by a friend to attend Peoples’ Democratic party meeting. During that period, a body called Ndigbo United Association had a platform where all the Igbo men and women aspiring for any political position in Lagos state can come; form a group and showcase their abilities. So with that platform, I started having interest in politics.
What were your challenges contesting for such position in another man’s land?
It was not easy at all.But with God, what people may see as impossible was possible. Initially, they refused to give me ticket to run for Lagos state House of Assembly primaries because of what I may called fear of unknown but with God and the support from my wife as a yoruba woman, I had an edge to scale through after much deliberations by the elders/leaders of the land.
Also, the aspirant I contested with was another challenge because he is a son of the soil and the son of a party leader. So, it was very challenging and tough as I did not have a godfather to push me through. But finally, it was a miracle.
Why did you defect to All progressive Congress (APC) after contesting and winning under Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP)?
I am someone who knows my onions and who has quest for development. I defected to All Progressive Congress in the State precisely on Thursday, February 16, 2017 during the plenary on the floor of the Assembly along with 5 other members of the opposition Peoples’ Democratic Party because of my passion to attract more developmental project to my constituency and my desire to make meaningful impact.”I can’t afford to disappoint my people”. This decision was unanimously endorsed by my kinsmen at the Igbo House, Ajao Estate on the 4th of March, 2017.This has in no small way contributed to my success because in 2 years of my parliamentary duties, I have undoubtedly surpassed the achievements of my predecessors in terms of legislative performance.
How do you feel as the only Igbo man in Lagos state House of Assembly?
Infact, I feel great, elated, and encouraged.I believe God has used me to make history in not only Lagos State but entire south-western region because this is the first time a non-indegene is elected into state House of Assembly throughout the South-Western region. Even though I was allowed to marry my heartthrob from the land and had lived in Lagos state for the past 30 years; I still believe this position I am today is made possible through the concerted effort of the elders of the land. “You know you can’t do it alone, you need elders around you; elders that will speak on your behalf to their associates and acquaintances. Such elders you come across by doing good and being hardworking. When they have seen your quality and your determination to really serve for the benefits of the people, you will definitely have it”. I must give kudos to them for their support. Yorubas are nice and happy people to associate and work with. That is why I make sure I don’t disappoint my people.This will also serve as an eye-opener to men and women who intend to aspire for any political position in any foreign land in the country. It will encourage and boost them to contest without fear.
Can you highlight some of your achievements so far?
Yes! immediately I was sworn in, I swung into action. I sponsored about 350 students in computer training in my constituency. There are presently about 9 buses plying the roads which I used to empower people in my constituency. I have always supported the less privileged financially. Even though I have not signed any bill, I have made immense contributions to issues on the floor of the house, oversight duties, sponsored motion (like the relocation of Mile 12 market), committee duties and most especially feasible projects and infrastructures attracted to the constituency in this little period which has transformed the land scape of the constituency.For instance, work will soon commence for the construction of a pedestrian bridge at Oshodi-Mile 2 expressway (by Toyota) for the safety of my people.
Have you experienced any intimidation by your colleagues?
No. I have not. Every Yoruba man or woman is very accommodating.They don’t discriminate. They welcome foreigners even though a son of the soil and a visitor cannot have equal regards. But as a legislator in a foreign land, I am not too enthusiastic or forward; but I have strong will in handling issues and decision making, I hold everyone in high esteem.
What can you say about Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode?
My governor is a great achiever,goal-getter, and a developer. Let me borrow the words of Chief Bola Tinubu to call him ” A WONDER BOY”. The Governor of Lagos State by my own assessment is the Governor General of Nigeria. I say so for a very good reason. It is not a question of age of the occupant of that office or his tenure. It is simply an attestation to the fact that the economy of Lagos is about the summation of the economies of thirty States in Nigeria. One will be deceiving himself not to recognize that fact. I will say that he has surpassed every imagination; he is a fantastic man. He is indeed taking Lagos state to another level. I give kudos to him.
Honourable, some people call you Mr Nigeria, how come that name?
(Laughs), I have always believed in my country. I have always known that Nigeria will get better one day. I believe that your own is your own; the earlier you make your country work, the better for you. As you make your bed so you will lie on it. So, when I was building my house in my community here in Lagos, my workers and I will always eat together everyday but before we eat, we must recite the National Anthem and Pledge. At a time, people from neighbourhood joined us. It got to a time that people will come across me on the road and call me MR NIGERIA. That is how the name came about.
By Grassroots Publishers
