By Dapo Ipoola

Diligence has been defined as a steady, earnest, and energetic effort applied to tasks, characterized by thoroughness, persistence, and careful attention to detail. It represents a strong work ethic, combining industriousness with conscientiousness to achieve goals efficiently. Often considered a virtue. It could also be defined as the quality of working carefully and with a lot of effort, or the persistent, hardworking, and careful engagement in a task. On the other hand, diligent representation is the act of serving, speaking, or acting on behalf of others with careful attention, consistent effort, and a strong sense of responsibility. Representing people seriously, actively, and with commitment — not carelessly or passively, which involves thorough preparation before making decisions or statements, regular communication with the people you represent, careful review of information before acting, and consistency and follow-through on responsibilities while protecting the interests of those you chose to represent.

Talking about diligent legislative representation is not akin to a Chinese restaurant where food is served a lar carte. Its comes with wit, commitment and a strong sense of responsibility. The above is what the honorable member representing Badagry federal constituency, Hon. Sesi Whingan, Deputy Chairman, House Committee on Petroleum Resources(Upstream), has effulgently demonstrated in almost three years as a diligent representative. His representation comes with class and distinction amongst his peers, just as he commands an enviable legislative plenipotentiary with alluring candour. Umpteenth occasions, his legislative advocacies have been marked with sizzling passion and undying love for his constituents. Known as a talent builder and discoverer, he instituted the Badagry 1000 Tech Talent programme- a tech hub where thousands of youths have been trained in digital and technology based skills, with participants receiving grant and start-up kits for self-reliance, an act adjudged to have contributed immesurable impacts to the economy and tech world; trained youth in biogas production and for domestic use; installed solar street lights across the Badagry federal constituency; distributed instructional materials to students and pupils across the Badagry federal constituency; donated thousands of chairs and desks to various schools across his constituency; trained the youths in digital and social media marketing skills and strategic renewable energy; distributed thousands of bag of fertilizer to farmers; facilitated UBEC funded solar powered school in Javie community.

As part of his tireless efforts at getting the youths dutifully engaged, many empowerment programmes on fishing, tailoring, and other vocational skills have been organized for interested individuals to eke out a decent living. The moribund Administrative Staff College of Nigeria, ASCON, in Badagry, was resuscitated where administrative activities are actively ongoing; outstanding teachers and students have been recognized and handsomely rewarded by Sesi initiative for excellence; Badagry 1000TTP graduands were rewarded with cash grant and laptops after the completion of their training; widows across the Badagry federal constituency were empowered in their thousands, trained in many business skills with cash empowerment to boost. At ameliorating the harrowing experience of Gbaji-Apa-Owode road users, MHR Sesi Whingan secured N6b for the construction of the long time cratered road- a border road between Nigeria and Benin Republic; facilitated hundreds of job opportunities for his constituency youths; renovated and constructed many schools across the Badagry federal constituency, and donated hundreds of motorized boreholes to some communities.

As an avuncular legislator, he has contributed in no small measures at moving meaningful motions and sponsoring of bills like Palm Oil Development bill; Oil and gas investment and free zone bill; Labour Act; Central Bank of Nigeria Act; Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority Act; Petroleum Industry Act; Environmental Health Bill; Cancer registry Bill; Trade Union Amendment Act; Agriculture Control of Importation Amendment Bill; Internet Child Pornography Prevention Bill; Chartered Institute of Financial and Investment Analyst of Nigeria Bill; and Explosive Act Amendment Bill. As a seasoned legislator, MHR Sesi is not only sexy in looks but in character and integrity. And if stellar performances will be rewarded, his reelection will be a done deal as it’s foolhardy to change a winning team. From the Badagry federal constituency, Sesi Whingan is that fitting and acceptable legislative leg to be put forward.

Ipoola, a media consultant, lives in Abuja.