A brand expert and sports enthusiast, Toyin Gafaar known as Bolowotan has announced his intention to run for the Lagos State House of Assembly, Ikorodu Constituency I. His interest is coming after decades of active engagement in community development especially in the areas of football as a tool for youth development and empowerment.
Toyin Gafaar, who is a strong development agent said he is determined to redefine representation of the people of Ikorodu Constituency I at the Lagos State House of Assembly.
In an exclusive interview with Oriwu Sun, Toyin Gafaar, who founded the popular football club, Bolowotan FC in 2007, said it is time for patriotic young men and women from Ikorodu to take more responsibility in the political terrain but must first ensure self-development in line with modern technologies and the new media. “This is the era of young technocrats, who are qualified intellectually and have made impact in community service”.
“Over the years, I have ensured that the joy and well-being of others become a part of my drive. I believe it is the time to intensify efforts by representing my people at the Assembly to ensure better legislation which will guarantee a better life for our people,” Toyin Gafaar disclosed.
The brand expert, who is a board member of Prime Signs; Nigeria’s foremost Outdoor Advertising Agency stressed that he is willing to serve the people in order to alleviate the hardships of his people adding that the support of the electorates would help him achieve his ambition.
While promising a Renewed Hope as the bedrock of his aspiration, Toyin Gafaar noted that his manifesto tagged ‘My RED Pact’ an acronym for Renewed Hope, Education and Development are the three key agendas proposed for the good people of Ikorodu when voted into the Lagos State House Assembly.
According to Toyin Gafaar, the interest of his people come first in his mind which was why in 2014, he rejected an offer of N14 million to hand over his beloved Bolowotan FC to the Ekiti State Government.
“This was at a time the team faced financial difficulty in continuing with their campaign in the Nigerian National League. At that time, I had spent hundreds of millions on the club but I rejected the offer in the interest of Lagos State. I later handed over the slot to Mountain of Fires and Miracles, MFM Football Club, who are today in the African Champions League”, he said.
Other contenders who have shown interest in the LAHA seat include Saheed Ibikunle, Adeola Jokomba, Lekan Ijelu, Nero, Anifowoshe, Majekodunmi among others but Toyin Gafaar appears to be undeterred as he is believed to be well positioned to replace Agunbiade by 2019. According to a political analyst, who prefers anonymity, he said, age, community service, academic qualification and experience are major factors which will work in favour of Toyin Gafaar.
The analyst believes that the youths, many of whom had been empowered will team up with women and other groups, who have also benefitted from his philanthropic gestures within the society to support Mr. Gafaar’s ambition. He will however also need the support of the older politicians and party executives to scale through the hurdles of his party primaries, another political commentator added.