Few days after visiting the representative of the lkorodu Federal Constituency, Hon. Babajimi Benson, at his Constituency Office in lkorodu, to express his gratitude to him for his support for him during his immediate tenure as Chairman of Ikorodu North Local Council Development Area, the former council boss was on the road again on Tuesday, November 4, 2025, as he paid a courtesy to two of his former colleagues but who are still serving, Hon. Sulaimon Kazeem Olanrewaju, Chairman, lkorodu West LCDA, and Hon Tunrayo Gbadebo Alogba, Chairman, ljede LCDA, at their respective homes.
Like other places he had visited, Hon. Banjo, who was accompanied by his team which included Mr Biodun Banjo, former Chief of Staff to Hon. Banjo, Mr Babatunde Amataye Olowu, an associate of the former chairman, Mrs Lydia Agoro, former Supervisor for Special Duties, Mrs Jumoke Kasali, Woman Leader, Ikorodu North LCDA, Comrade Babatunde Adekija, Alhaji Ambali Olutusi, former Supervisor Counsellor for Works and Mr Alaba Newman, presented frames to his hosts to congratulate them on their re-election, and also to commemorate the historic visitations.
While speaking at both events, he charged his former colleagues on good leadership, stating that they are elected to serve, while urging them to always make themselves available for their people at all time.
He stressed further that true leadership is found when there is integrity in service and compassion for others.
“Leadership is not about sitting at the head of a table, it is about having the heart to serve at the feet of others. It is not about being above the people, but among them. True leadership is not a position, it is a presence. It is the quiet ability to listen when others talk, to calm when others fear, and to build when others only criticize.
“You know what it means to wake before dawn and sleep after midnight, to stretch resources, to manage pressures, and still find a reason to smile for the people who look up to you. That is why leadership is sacred, because it demands everything and yet rewards with peace only when it is done with love.
“My brother, you are not called to rule but to serve. To lead is to love in action. Every road you fix, every market you touch, every youth you empower, every mother you help, all these are acts of worship when done with sincerity. Leadership is not the search for power, it is the fulfillment of purpose.
“True leadership does not live in grand speeches or ceremonies, it breathes in the unseen moments when you choose integrity over convenience and compassion over pride. It is the grace to keep moving even when no one claps, knowing that heaven still keeps the record”, the former council boss emphasised.
He further charged his former colleagues to understand that people entrusted their hopes and aspirations to them with their mandates, and urged them to always listen to them and ensure that they leave office better than they met it, he prayed for them for wisdom and proper guidance to succeed in their second term in office.
“And so I pray for you, my friend. May this second term bring you greater peace, clearer vision, and renewed strength. May your heart remain soft even as your responsibilities grow. May your hands never tire from doing good. May your leadership become a light that guides, heals, and inspires.
“As I present this frame, may peace guide your heart, may prosperity crown your efforts, and may joy follow you in every step of your service. May the meaning of these words live with you as a reminder that leadership is not a season but a seed, one that, when sown with love, will bloom long after our days of service have passed.
“May heaven honour your labour, and may your name remain a blessing upon this land”, Hon. Banjo prayed.
In their respective remarks, Hon Olanrewaju and Hon Alogba, who were both surprised but impressed by Hon Banjo’s visits, expressed their profound appreciation to him for his gesture which they described as exemplary and first of its kind.
In his own remarks, Hon. Olanrewaju described Hon Banjo as his leader, adding that he has shown him how to say thank you to people, when he leaves office.
” I don’t know what to say . You have overwhelmed me. You are my leader. You have also shown me example and how to say thank you after I leave the office.
“What you did today, I don’t know where you got the idea from. You have done it in a unique way. I have never heard it in Ikorodu history, even in Lagos history, that when someone leaves office today, it will be done in a unique way like this. This is very novel.
He also commended Hon. Banjo on the quality and sincere people that worked with him, and who also accompanied him on the visitations, stating that that underlined his quality activities after office, and why they are still around him.
” l am happy because he was able to work with quality people. We only know our true value when we leave office. You are lucky that people valued you. I don’t see any amount of money you can give to these people that still make them stay with you after leaving office. I just believe that they love, and you have also shown them love too, because whatever you have give, you get back.
” May God bless you, Mr Adeola Banjo. Thank you”.
Also, Hon Alogba, while speaking during the visit, also commended Hon Banjo, describing him as a brother who she related with freely while he was in office, and also expressed surprise at the visit.
She added that she felt honoured by the visit, and offered prayers for his august visitor.
“This is very overwhelming. When Banjo called that they were coming, I really did not know it was going to be this big. I think I’ve been seeing the visitations but since we were not there to know what happened behind the scenes, I just thought it was the proper presentation of frames and all of that.
“I feel honored. Banjo, thank you very much. Banjo is not just a senior colleague, he is a father, and a very good brother. You know that I was the youngest amongst all of them (the immediate past six chairmen in Ikorodu), but they did relate with me like that and I really flow well with Banjo.
“God bless you. This is not going to be the end of your journey. Thank you very much”.
Like Hon Olanrewaju, the only female council Chairman in lkorodu division, equally expressed her admiration in the way her former elder colleague maintained his relationship with those that worked with him while he was in the office, describing it as inspiring.
“I thank everyone who came with him. Thank you for standing by him. It is really inspiring, and a lesson for me too because getting out of the office is another journey entirely. Thank you very much”, she said.