The mention of the name of Rt. Hon. Sulaimon LasunYussuff, which has become a household name in Nigeria’s political terrain today and in the engineering profession circle, will easily ring a bell. The reason is not far-fetched. Lasun as he is fondly called has worked diligently to earn the popularity and reputation he currently enjoys.
As a matter of principle, he believes that good name and integrity are golden. In his daily life he maintains low profile and ensure that his image is intact while his works speak for him.
When Yussuff Sulaimon Lasun was born on October 4, 1960 to the family of AlhajiAmudaYussuff in a sleepy town of Ilobu in old Oyo State and now in the State of Osun, little did they know that destiny will one day place him in a position of authority that will afford him the privilege to be in position of topmost leadership in the country. He might not have been thought to be in a position of responsibility to provide effective representation for his community and the entire State of Osun in general, but as God, who designs all things decided to make true His words, Lasun crossed all odds and becomes what he is today.
Rt. Hon. Yussuff Olasunkanmi Sulaiman is from Woru’s Compound in Ilobu town. He was not born with silver spoon in his mouth, his growing up was very challenging but he weathered the storm and broke all militating odds. Lasun, who at the time many of his peers took to farming, decided to pursue western education and passed his Primary School Leaving Certificate in 1970. He attended Ifon-Erin High School, Ifon-Osun. His secondary education was remarkable, and because he was a brilliant student, the then Oyo State Government gave him scholarship between 1977 to 1979. He attended University of Ife, now Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) and the premier University in Nigeria, University of Ibadan (UI), where he studied Mechanical Engineering and graduated with a B.Sc (Hons). He holds his first and second degrees in Mechanical Engineering.
Lasun, a devout Muslim, felt the urgent need to add value to the lives of his people in Osogbo/Olorunda/Irepodun/Orolu Federal Constituency of Osun State, whom he was convinced were not properly represented in the federal ýlegislature, hence his decision to throw his hat into the ring by contesting for a seat in the House of Representatives in 2007, which he lost under controversial circumstances. Buoyed by the belief to adequately represent his people at the national level, he contested again for the same legislative seat in 2011 and won the election, and was re-elected for the second time in 2015, a tenure he is currently serving. Because of his sterling leadership qualities, Lasun was at various times honoured with prestigious traditional titles like the Ikolaba of Ilobu land, the Agbaakin of Ilare and the Basorun of Obaagun in Osun State.
He started flashing his leadership qualities and burning desire to create channels for growth way back in his days in the university. He was known for embarking on tutorial exercise for fresh students in science-oriented subjects in his native town of Ilobu. He is a home-grown man who takes interest in encouraging younger ones to take interest in education, which to him is key to personal development. He is a one-time Chairman of the board of Osun State Capital City Development Authority, a position he used judiciously in recruiting many natives into the Osun State Civil Service at the lower cadre. As the Public Relation Officer of the Alliance for Democracy (AD) when Chief BisiAkande was the Governor of Osun State, he also facilitated the appointment of some sons and daughters in community into the Teaching Service of the State.
While in the Federal House of Representatives between 2011 and 2015, he contributed his own quota to the legislative business of the Green Chamber and also served as the Deputy Chairman of the House Committee on Water Resources. It is on record that due to the effective legislative oversight given to the Ministry of Water Resources by Lasun and his colleagues, that Ministry was the most outstanding under the immediate past administration of President Goodluck Jonathan.
Because his people felt the impactful representation in his first tenure, it was not difficult for him to get a return ticket for the 2015 election, which he eventually won. However on June 9, 2015, his story changed for good. Allah’s ordained destiny for him manifested. On that historic day, he fought and won an electoral battle against all odds. Signs that he would emerge as Deputy Speaker became obvious even before the votes were cast as his nomination and announcement by the Clerk of the National Assembly was greeted with thunderous ovation, a situation that underscored his acceptance by his colleagues on the day of the inauguration of the 8th Assembly. He defeated his sole challenger, Hon. Mohammed Tahir Monguno from Borno State by polling 203 votes as against Monguno’s 153. The exercise, which took place after Rt. Hon. YakubuDogara had emerged as the House Speaker, was not only a huge surprise to political pundits, it was at the same time a divine arrangement. Although the Southwest zone where he comes from was eyeing the Speakership position, which the zone lost narrowly to Dogara, Lasun’s calculation, courage and political sagacity eventually saved the zone from total humiliation and possible marginalisation.
Lasun, being a loyal member of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), also believes in the independence of the legislature as an arm of government. His emergence as the Deputy Speaker though ruffled some feathers, those who saw wisdom in his political calculation quickly embraced him. He is today seen by many as a hero of the 8th Assembly. Because of his belief in the independence of the legislature and his political strength, he emerged as Deputy Speaker and today, the Southwest zone can pride itself as a major stakeholder in the House as the zone now has both the Deputy Speaker and the Majority Leader positions. As Deputy Speaker, Lasun has been an effective lieutenant to Speaker YakubuDogara. He has not only been loyal to him but has given him support in the face of daunting task of piloting the affairs of the 8th Assembly.
Back at home, he is well respected not only in the State of Osun but beyond. His humane disposition and passion for the well-being of the people of the Southwest in general has endeared him to the people of the zone. His people in Ilobu see him as the epitome of change that is reshaping the entire landscape of the town and that of Nigeria. No wonder an elated member of his township development union told him in clear terms that they were solidly behind him. They said that their community has never gotten to his enviable level in their chequered political history. They described him as the true son of the soil.
In the last one year of being the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Sulaimon LasunYussuff has proved that he has what it takes to lead and since then he has not been found wanting in the discharge of his duties. This was attested to when Speaker YakubuDogara described his deputy as a dependable ally who has the heart of a lion to achieve anything. In the last one year and few months both Dogara and Lasun have harmoniously worked together as presiding officers of the House. The apparent cooperation that existed between the duo is a good testimony that all is well in the House.
Lasun has represented Nigeria very well at various occasions both within and outside the country. At the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) meeting in Geneva, Switzerland, he was given a standing ovation after presenting Nigeria’s position to the union. It is on record that Rt. Hon. Sulaimon LasunYussuff is the only serving Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, who is equally elected as the 1st Deputy Speaker of the ECOWASý Parliament. Lasun was given the responsibility at the 44th session of the ECOWAS Parliament in 2015. This simply means that within one year, he was given two key positions in Nigeria and at the sub-regional level.
As a member of the 7th Assembly in Federal House of Representatives, he facilitated socio-economic empowerment opportunities for the youths of his State and beyond.ý His emergence as the Deputy Speaker changed landscape of opportunities and political equation in Osogbo/Olorunda/Orolu/Irepodun federal constituency where he represents, as he opened many locked up opportunities, he created a scene that looks like as if nobody has ever represented the people at the federal level before. He brought succour to the people by facilitating provision and upgrade of infrastructures such as access to water, electricity and construction of roads. He also deployed his constituency projects to build schools, and empowering his people through skills acquisition and provision of funds to both young and the aged ones to embark on petty trading among others. He did not stop at that as he ensured that many more youths from his constituency are gainfully employed ýand are doing well in their various fields of endeavour. He also used his influence to ensure that the narrow Ojutu Bridge, constructed during colonial era and the Osogbo-Ogbomoso road that was ranked as the worst federal road in South-western Nigeria were considered in the 2016 Budget. These two projects have always been a cause for concern to the people in the area especially the narrow Ojutubridge, which was constructed in 1914, but cannot contain two vehicles at a time.
This is why Rt. Hon. LasunYussuff of uncommon destiny deserves 56 Gbosas as he turns 56 today.