By Eniola Olakunri

The major contenders for the 2015 governorship race in Lagos State from the two prominent  parties – APC  and PDP –  are known to the politically astute among us. However, my take today is to stir the interest of the Lagos residents and all progressives in taking more than a passing glance at the candidature of Senator Ganiyu Olarewaju Solomon (GOS) of the APC.

My  summation stems from observing the man in the past  three  and a half decades.

GOS grew up in a household full of laughter but the passion of his father, a consummate politician, to constantly cater to the needy, opened his eyes early on to appreciate the sufferings of others. Even though he had a privileged background, the Solomon household was open to all and sundry. There was usually a constant stream of people either coming in or going out of that one storey building located on Anipele Street, Mushin, Lagos. I saw the late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo,  in that  house many times addressing groups.

I know  that GOS has a gentle mien and is unassuming.

However, underneath all that visible calmness  lies  a brilliant mind and a steely resolve to see things through to their logical concusion. He subjects issues to critical analysis and appraisal and, after coming to a decision or conclusion, he presents his position on any matter, and to anybody who cares  to listen, in the most gentle  manner. To me, this is wisdom on marble; literally giving vent and life to the real meaning of his name-Solomon – who has always been judged to be the wisest king that ever lived.

He never forgets his childhood friends, never looks down on anyone and he relates very well with all, not minding the fact that not all are as successful as he is.  He earned the appellation. ‘Financial Wizard’, as far back as 1979 due to his readiness to always underwrite the bills of his friends,peers and people generally in need…ensuring that their problems were solved. Little did we know he would be following the steps and generous spirit of his father, Alhaji R I Solomon of blessed memory(a former Lagos State Vice Chairman of the erstwhile Unity Party of Nigeria) into murky waters of Nigerian Politics. Now it becomes clear to me why our Maker stresses the need for one to be humble. Indeed GOD promotes the humble and Solomon falls into the category of the three most humble people I have ever come across..The first one  was my father-in-law, the late Babatunde Ibironke-(SAN) and Pastor E A Adeboye, the General Overseer of The Redeemed Christian Church of GOD. No wonder the three gentlemen  rose to the top in their various fields.

Let me  veer into another  important route  to shed some  light on the character of the person seeking to serve (and not occupy) the highest office in Lagos due to my background as a banker.

In banking, if all elements supporting the quest of a  client seeking a facility are in place but the character of the fellow is called to question, the request should be denied because banks hold depositors’ funds in trust and society expects them  to  do all they can to secure that trust. In the same vein, a candidate can reel off so many reasons why he’s qualified to run for an elective office but if such a person’s character is flawed or is perceived as someone who is given to arrogance and cannot be trusted with power, his/her electability becomes a matter of conjecture.

Solomon has donated items worth hundreds of millions to  Lagosians (not limited only to his Lagos Senatorial Zone) over the years in order to put smiles on the faces of people.  He also instituted a financial empowerment package to aid the elderly , men, women, the youth and scholarship for indigent students.

“At one of the occasions where these items were being distributed in their thousands, he had this to say, “I am of the firm belief that the holders of political offices hold a position of trust and must therefore fulfill the people’s aspirations. In the course of my campaigns and interactions with our people, I made promises and I am determined within the limits of my resources to fulfill them. It is pursuance of this that I have instituted various programmes aimed at empowering our people. Some of these include Youth/Women Empowerment, Poverty Alleviation, Education, Power, Health and so on……In order to ensure that these programmes continue and outlive me, they are being carried out under the GOS (Ganiyu Olanrewaju Solomon) Foundation which I established years ago.”

The GOS Foundation has been active in the area of skill acquisition for youths, the art of tie and dye for women, renovation of  the Juvenile Home at Alakara, provision of boreholes (dotting his constituency),  repair of pedestrian bridge at Onipanu to mention a few.

I can go on and on about  Solomon’s vision and ingrained candour for qualitative service to society but suffice it to say that his humanity, pedigree, political clout, exceptional charater, outstanding experience laced with humility and ‘can do’ spirit is a rarity that stands him shoulder above  those jostling for the seat at Alausa with him.

One flaw I see in him is his inherent ability to trust people easily. Even when he knows he has been betrayed, he still manages to see the good in such people.

He forgives easily and harbours no grudges. He does not subscribe to the ‘winners take all’ mentality and is always carrying people along. Solomon is not perfect but even in his imperfection, he thrives on providing succour to the poor and the needy, a lifetime legacy of service to mankind straight from Solomonic household!

Eniola Olakunri is a Director of Oats Global Energy , a power firm based in Abuja.