Acting Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mrs. Adebimpe Akinsola
This daughter of Igbogbo kingdom who is the Special Adviser to Governor Ambode on Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry as well as the Acting Commissioner for the same ministry, is one person who has proved that what a man can do, a woman can do even better.
We heard from some sources that the former Commissioner for this ministry who was recently sacked last year, Mr. Folarin Coker, had boasted after the first edition of the One Lagos Fiesta in 2015 that without him no one can organize a successful second edition of the event in 2016.
But Mrs. Adebimpe Akinsola, Alhaji Jamiu Adewale Ashimi, the permanent secretary of the tourism ministry, the commissioner for Information, Mr. Steve Ayorinde and other team mates made the 2016 edition not only bigger and bolder but better than the first outing in 2015.
Mrs. Akinsola became one of the principal coordinators of the Fiesta and demonstrated the power of synergy as she worked harmoniously with the other key players in her ministry and outside of it to produce a profoundly successful event which has dazed and proved Mr. folarin’s alleged boasting wrong.
From the planning stage when the various committees for the event were set up and their reports/recommendations vetted to the implementation stage, Mrs. Akinsola was everywhere.
The climax was that she was at every venue as Governor Ambode visited all the five centers of action. She was always there to welcome the Governor and his entourage and to ensure that everything went smoothly.
Like a shuttle diploma, she travelled the length of Ikorodu to Badagry, from Agege to Epe and back to Lagos Island. This reporter was amazed by this woman’s agility, strength and commitment and felt proud that she did not disappoint Governor Ambode nor her constituency in Igbogbo all of who reposed great confidence in her. Those skeptics who thought the Acting Commissioner will not perform have been disappointed.
The humble, polite, kind and respectful lady according to many Lagosians who observed her achievements during this fiesta believe that Governor Ambode will appreciate her performance by confirming her appointment as a substantive commissioner.
We commend her and her team mates who made this fiesta beautiful, dignifying, crime free and non-controversial. We wish all of them the best in their careers as they climb higher grounds.