OMOLUABI LÁ A FẸ́: SEUN ASHAMU AND A POLITICAL VISION THAT PUTS PEOPLE AT THE CENTRE—Apostle Asimiyu

In Yoruba land, an Omoluabi is defined not merely by titles, wealth or social connections, but by character, integrity, humility and the value one adds to the lives of others. It is this enduring cultural philosophy that gives meaning to Barr. Temilolu Nurudeen Ashamu’s new political slogan, “Omoluabi lá fẹ́”—an Omoluabi is who we want. As the APM aspirant for Oyo Federal Constituency (OFC), comprising Afijio, Oyo East, Oyo West and Atiba, Ashamu brings to the conversation a profile shaped by legal education, professional exposure and public service. A learned jurist with international academic and professional experience, he became a commissioner in Oyo State in 2019 and served in portfolios including Energy and Mineral Resources, Environment and Natural Resources, and Budget and Economic Planning. His experience in government places infrastructure, economic planning and community development within the context of his ambition to represent OFC. Ultimately, the significance of this experience lies in how it can be translated into practical solutions for the people.

Beyond professional credentials and political ambition, human development and youth empowerment remain important themes in Ashamu’s public engagement. Young people need more than temporary assistance; they need practical skills, opportunities to establish businesses, access to productive ventures and an enabling environment to become employers of labour. His involvement in the Agribusiness Empowerment and Training Programme, whose first phase commenced in October 2026, reflects an approach that encourages participants to look beyond subsistence farming towards enterprise development, value chains and sustainable livelihoods. The programme also sought to connect participants with the African Development Bank-supported Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zone initiative. Such interventions speak to the possibilities of building a productive economy in which farmers, traders, artisans and young entrepreneurs can contribute to local prosperity. For OFC, where agriculture, commerce and small businesses remain important to community life, the challenge is to expand access to opportunities that empower people to improve their own circumstances and contribute meaningfully to the development of their communities.

Ashamu’s experience in the energy sector also brings attention to the relationship between infrastructure and human welfare. Electricity, accessible roads, quality education, functional healthcare and a supportive business environment are not simply government achievements to be announced; they are essential ingredients of community progress. As he seeks to transition from state executive service to the federal legislature, his ambition presents an opportunity to connect his administrative experience with the responsibilities of lawmaking, oversight, constituency engagement and the facilitation of development programmes. The people of Afijio, Oyo East, Oyo West and Atiba need representation that understands their different circumstances, listens to their concerns and pursues practical responses to their needs. In this context, community development must go beyond physical projects to include skills acquisition, economic empowerment, support for local enterprises and initiatives that enable young people to become productive contributors to society. The ultimate measure of such efforts will be their reach, sustainability and demonstrable impact on people's lives.

This is where “Omoluabi lá fẹ́” becomes more than a political slogan; it becomes a statement about the kind of leadership people expect and the responsibility that comes with seeking their trust. In Yoruba tradition, an Omoluabi is recognised through conduct, not merely by self-description. For Ashamu, the message creates an opportunity to connect his legal background, public-service experience and stated commitment to youth and community development with a clear, practical vision for OFC. The electorate, in turn, can assess that vision through the substance of his proposals, his engagement with constituents and the results of the initiatives associated with his public service. After all, the true value of leadership is not measured by the titles a person acquires, but by the opportunities created, the lives improved and the communities strengthened. 

Omoluabi lá fẹ́—because when character guides leadership, people remain at the centre of development, and when people are empowered, communities have a stronger foundation for a better future.