Jimi Benson has been the talk of the town by community leaders since he started representing Ikorodu Federal Constituency at the federal legislative chamber in Abuja in 2015. His works and community deeds have constantly put smiles on people’s faces in every corner of Ikorodu division. Just to be certain of what the people are genuinely thinking of Honourable Adegoke Babajimi Benson, our reporters went to town to feel the pulse and hear from the people. Their responses and thoughts about Honourable Jimi Benson are filed herein.
A former Ikorodu youth leader, Ajenifuja Isa Olaniyi was so excited when asked to speak about honourable Jimi Benson. “Ninety percent of the people love him”. If only we have 4 of Jimi Benson type in Ikorodu, we would be far better than we are today. Other politicians did their best during their reigns, but Jimi Benson changed the face of political representation in Ikorodu by bringing changes beyond the expectations of many.
He is a man who takes action and follows it up, whenever he appoints people to embark on a project, Hon. Jimi Benson will go back to inspect the project. If he is not pleased by the way the project is executed, he would not give those in change another opportunity to work close to him anymore. Whoever dares challenge Jimi Benson in the forth-coming election will be put to shame. Jimi Benson created an unprecedented rapport with the people and they love him. His works, relationship with the people and infrastructural development have become the benchmark for incoming political leaders.”
Alhaji Abdulwaheed Abiodun Yusuf (aka West Africa), who is the former CDA chairman of Ifelodun CDA, Igbe, Igbogbo/Bayeku LCDA, was so pleased to speak about Hon. Babajimi Benson. In his words, “I appreciate Oriwu Sun for propagating the good works of Honourable Goke Babajimi Benson. From Ikorodu to Abuja, Jimi has made imprint on the society. In 2014 when we started the race, people thought he was just another political jobber, by then, Jimi Benson was relatively unknown to many in Ikorodu.
But today, the narrative has changed. Jimi Benson is not only a performing representative, he has forged a good relationship with the people and they feel his presence whenever he is around. Courtesy of his development programmes, Oreyo Grammar School received benches and chairs. He has help schools built classrooms and provided many ancillary items they need. He built 8 blocks of classrooms for Methodist High School in Igbe. Wards in Igbogbo LCDA, including C3, C5 and others benefited from his programmes.
“The Igbe road was an eye-sore before Jimi Benson came into office, before his time in office, the road had has a nickname know as, “after water”, owing to the bad condition of the road. He fixed the road without hesitation. There is no local government council in Ikorodu division that Honourable Adegoke Babajimi Benson has not touched. I can go on and on with his projects in Ikorodu division. Regarding opposition, I will say no election is complete without opposition, so, let them challenge him in the coming poll. One thing I am certain of is that 85 % of the total vote will go to Jimi Benson. From the antecedents of that office, we know the people before him and saw what they did. He has raised the bar so high and set the tone for subsequent politicians.
“Stakeholders now know what they want, they have seen the difference and don’t want anyone right now, except Jimi Benson. Our major challenge in Ifelodun CDA right now is the Paul Palmer Street, which has been in a critical condition for years now. Though, Jimi Benson awarded the contract two years ago, but unfortunately, the contractor died and the project was halted. We notified the federal lawmaker and he has agreed to bring in another contractor. Since then, the new contractor has not commence work on the road.
We are pleading and believing that Honourable Jimi Benson would look into the project soon.
The incumbent Chairman of Ifelodun Development Association in Igbogbo/BayekuLCDA, Mr. Oloruntobi Awobajo, was emphatic about Honourable Jimi Benson. “Talking of Honourable Jimi Benson, I am above 70 years of age and I have seen things in life, in this stage of my life I will speak the truth. I believe that he is God sent and I mean this in every sense of the word. Jimi Benson is first of its kind in Ikorodu politics. There had been many politicians people voted for in Ikorodu, but Jimi Benson is a darling. A darling is the word used for someone who truly cares and shows concern for people. He is a man you call upon anytime and he responds. I never met him in person when we wrote him a letter about our deplorable road in Paul Palmer Street but the next day, he appeared in our community to inspect the road.
“For me and Ifelodun CDA, we have seen Jimi Benson’s Projects in the community and would score him 90%. He has performed exceedingly well to score 90%. Though, there is a job he started for us two years ago, the contractor died and a day after, he brought in a new contractor to sign the Palmer road contract. We hope the new contractor will come complete the work soon.
“I have no money to give him for what he is doing, but I have prayers that regarding his third term re-election ambition, things would go smoothly and effortless for him. May God bless him, Jimi Benson is the first among all the representatives from Ikorodu in the Federal House of Assembly. As the chairman of Ifelodun CDA, Honourable Jimi Benson doesn’t need introduction, we are here to support him when it’s time for election, we will turn out on time and en masse.”
An executive of the community, Mr. R. K. Ibrahim, also spoke about Jimi Benson. “Babajimi Benson, to me should be projected for the governor of the state. However, if he can complete the Paul Palmer road for us before the next election, we will be forever grateful to him. The road has remained a nightmare to the community. It was initially billed for completion in 8 weeks before the death of the contractor. Now, it has been there for two years.
“Honourable Jimi Benson is a man of the people, aside politics, he is a good human being. I can say without doubt that if Honourable Jimi Benson is put forth to run for governorship position, we will vote overwhelmingly.”
A senior pastor, A.K Ogunyemi, who is the current Treasurer of Ifelodun CDA, said that he doesn’t have much to say. However, Ikorodu needs 3 of Jimi Benson type. “There would be massive development if we have more men like Jimi Benson in Ikorodu division. We have elected lots of representatives and senators in the past, they moved on and turned their back on the people. We only hear their names during elections; we don’t get to see them once they resume office. If politicians act and reason like Jimi Benson, no one will call politicians bad names. Jimi Benson is unique and is a pacesetter. I’m a pastor, not a politician, I will not speak ill of anyone nor sugarcoat my statement in support of anyone. God will bless Jimi Benson and his descendants for all the good works. He will go higher and attain greater heights.”
Our reporters visited another community where Honourable Jimi Benson had done project. At the residence of Chief Imam of Ikorodu Central Mosque, Sheik Olowo-Oribi, the venerated cleric and chief priest of Ikorodu Muslim community calmly welcomed our reporters in spite the fact that he was having his nap. “For ten years, we had called on various government officials to help us repair our terrible road, none of them attended to the road.
Some emphatically told us that the road is way beyond what they can handle. It puzzles me that whenever they visit our community, their vehicles would be parked far way, then I would ask them why they park so far away? I usually ask them the rhetorical question to know how they feel about they state of the bad roads. Yet, they won’t bulge. But Jimi Benson is the only representative who intervened and helped us fix the road.
“Jimi Benson has performed better than other representatives before him, they were all after personal interests, we can’t point to things they did for the people in our community. Unlike others, Jimi kept to his words by carrying out projects in the community. He has distinct himself with good works. The road he built for us saved us a lot of problems, standard of things have improved in the neighbourhood. He is not like those politicians who issue envelopes to the people during electioneering and abandoned the people afterwards.
“We thank Honourable Jimi Benson, may Allah bless him and lift him higher. If he chooses to run for a 3rd term, we will support him. Aside road projects, he helped unemployed youths and care for indigent people. Jimi Benson has set the benchmark for other politicians.
My advice for Jimi Benson is that he should continue with his good works. A successful man does not introduce himself, his achievements speaks for him.”
Moving towards south of Ikorodu division, our reporters visited the Ogolonto Majidun community where residents closer to the riverbank are looking up to beneficial projects from honourable Babajimi Benson. At the palace of Chief Olusegun Alexander Omoyele, the Baale of Majidun, our reporter had a warm reception. The community is currently undergoing a road project facilitated by Honourable Jimi Benson. The erudite Baale of Majidun said that he is pleased with what the young federal legislator is doing in Ikorodu. “This is the first time in the history of the community that a federal project is coming to Majidun, all thanks to Jimi Benson. Upon completion, the new road will bring development to Ikorodu. It will open up trade and eases vehicular movement. We are told the new road will have streetlights, a luxury the community has not seen for years.
Other link roads would facilitate access from the inner communities to Lagos Road. When previous representatives visited our community, we raised the issue concerning the road but they wouldn’t respond.
“The first time government attempted to reconstruct the road was during Governor Lateef Jakande and nothing has happened since then. I have heard a lot about Jimi Benson’s I-Care programme in the community, I am pleased. Though, I didn’t know him personally but stories of his community projects precede him. Before his time in office, politicians don’t relate with the people in the grassroots, which ought not to be. Though, they complained that the boys in the neighbourhood d extort them during official visits to the communities. Politicians should make efforts to visit the grassroots at least once a month, so that they would know the challenges the people are facing.
“For example, we lack portable water here in Majidun due to the fact that our land is acidic. If they visit us more, they would help find solution to this critical issue. Considering what Jimi Benson is currently doing in our community, we will give him support in the coming election. He has earned it. By and large, Jimi Benson is related to our community, however, I am referring to his achievements as a political figure in office. I look forward to the day Jimi Benson will commission the road and the adjoining link roads in our community. It is a thing of joy for a community who is 100 years old to get a road with streetlight. My advice to him is to keep doing what he is doing so that when he retires from public service, the people would receive him with both hands. Being our representative, Honourable Jimi Benson is a brother to all in the community and we appreciate him.”
Moving on to Onishigida CDA in the Kokoro-Abu area of Ikorodu, our reporters stopped to speak with residents who just received a series of road network tarred by Honourable Jimi Benson.
Residents pointed towards the house of the CDA chairman who was not at home, but his amiable wife called him on the phone and related the visit by Oriwu Sun reporters to him. Right on the phone the voice of Otunba Rasheed Alaba came on as he spoke passionately about Honourable Jimi Benson. “We so much appreciate what honourable Jimi Benson did for our community and the adjoining communities around the newly constructed road networks. Since the road was completed with streetlights, crime has drastically reduced. People who go to work early hours of the morning can now see silhouettes of people ahead and prepare before they get mugged. Before the road was rehabilitated, there had been many victims of early morning robbery where thieves snatched bags and disappear into the darkness.
“We appreciate and pledge to support Jimi Benson in coming election, our community pray that God Almighty guide and protect him. We are giving him 101% support in coming election. We will do everything humanly possible to ensure that he gets overwhelming victory in the election.”
Honourable Sulaimon Kazeem Olarenwaju, Chairman Ikorodu West LCDA, “ I am very happy and proud of Honourable Jimi Benson, he is doing very well. He is representing the people and his family well. God will reward him for his humanitarian outreach.” Alhaji Adio Saka, the APC Apex leader in Ikorodu West LCDA, was happy to say nice things about Honourable Jimi Benson. “On behalf of the Apex leaders in Ikorodu West LCDA, I extend our gratitude to Honourable Babajimi Benson for his representation. Honestly, I am not surprised at all because I know his father who had a great sense of accomplishments. I am very proud of his accomplishments across the division. He is a Golden person that must be protected by all of us.”
HRM OBA RICHARD OGUNSANYA, Olubeshe of Ibeshe land:
“I can’t compare his performance with those that had represented us in the past. He’s in the league of his own. He has performed creditably well and has done well for the people of lkorodu division. It always amazes me where and how he gets money to do the projects that he has been doing across lkorodu division as those before him had always complained of lack of fund. He’s the only member of the House of Representatives that has six local governments under his Constituency while other have two or three, yet, his impact has been felt in all the councils. In lbeshe, he has done well for us more than any other representative or politician in lkorodu. He built a town and health centre for us. I pray God grants him long life and good health to attain further greater heights in life. I am indeed very happy and proud of him.”
HRM OBA BASHIR SOTONWA, Sekumade of Ipakodo: “Hon. Babajimi Benson has really done well. He has impacted greatly on the people of lkorodu division with his representation. His projects and programmes are very commendable in terms of food support programme, road construction, construction of classrooms for schools, street lights, building of hospitals and many more. No other representative or politician in lkorodu has done this much for the people before now. We are really impressed by his performance and we are also very pleased with him. He can count on our support and that of the entire people of lkorodu division for his political ambition anytime anyway. I wish him well in all his endeavours.”
HRM OBA AJIBADE AGORO, Ranodu of lmota: “The never seen before performance of Babajimi Benson as the representative of lkorodu Federal Constituency is not something l can capture in few words, infact, l will have to send in a specially written write-up to you (Oriwu Sun) on that because his performance is unparalleled and unrivalled in the history of lkorodu division. Infact, I am short of words because he has really impressed me, particularly for what he’s doing in lmota. We have not had a general hospital in Imota since 1979 and he has made it possible by facilitating 80-bed space hospital which is currently under construction. He has also brought a federal government initiated agric program to Imota which will enhance food security in the division.
“There’s no part of lkorodu division that he has not executed projects. Aside the late TOS Benson and Adeniran Ogunsanya, no other representative or politician has surpassed his remarkable record of achievements. We, the traditional rulers in the division have already said that he will be re-elected again and again and again as the representative of the people of lkorodu division and we have already given our royal blessings for that and we are confident that he will further turns lkorodu division to dreamland. God will continue to protect, guide and lead him aright and further use him for the glory of lkorodu. He will surely attain greater position in his political career and the entire people of lkorodu division and us (the Obas) will be ready to give him necessary support in that regard when the time comes.”
HRM OBA SEMIUDEEN ORIMADEGUN KASALI, Adeboruwa of Igbogbo: “He is such a wonderful, very good fellow. He is a pacesetter. He has been a blessing to this division in particular and Lagos State in general.
“Jimi Benson is a likeable and wonderful person. He loves the people at the grassroots and they love him in return. He has performed remarkably well as the representative of lkorodu division and yet, he’s not the type that goes around making noise about his achievements, rather, he always looks for ways to do more for the people. He’s performance has been speaking for him because the people of lkorodu division are always speaking well about him. So, for me, the Adeboruwa-In Council and entire people of Igbogbo Kingdom, we thank him for all he has done for us. He is such a person that we will never forget when the history of Igbogbo town is being written.
“For me personally, he has been a supporter and a confidant. I love him all the way and l will continue to pray for him. May Almighty God spares his life and bless him more so that he can take the good work he’s doing now for lkorodu division to another level (by the grace of God).
“As far as I am concerned, his third term is a done deal. They said that Obas shouldn’t engage in politics but whoever cares to listen to me will surely finds a reason that will encourage him or her to support Hon. Babajimi Benson for whatever position he may be aspiring for.”