Who is Olalekan and why did you pick the name-Lampholder?
I am Olalekan Akindipe Olu ,aka Lampholder , born into a Christian family of six (6) .I am from a very strong community called Alayabiagba. I am married with four children. As a politician, I have always been a very loyal servant to the party in general because I have always believed in the course of victory.
Born into Alayabiagba, a strong community, and a politician, how has this shaped your life?
Well, it wasn’t a good task though, because my parents as Christians, like most other Christian parents, would always shiver when they talked about politics. Ah….Noo, I don’t want problems, it wasn’t easy then honestly; but once a determined fellow takes a decision, it’s always hard to reverse.
So, I took the decision and you know, I am a man and I should be strong and I should be able to fend for myself. I started politics at the age of 19 and it didn’t go down well with my parents, but I just had to let them see the reasons why I am choosing my path; since then they’ve not been disappointed. Their fear has been,’ Won’t he become a hoodlum or a wayward child, but in as much as I knew that I was focused and knew what I wanted to do, I knew I was going to serve the people. So, I was determined and to God be the glory, today, they are happy that I am a politician.
Growing up as a child, what kind of person was Lampholder?
Well, most especially to my mother, I must confess. I served her so much; I hawked goods, I sold oranges, bananas, and other fruits. The moment I am back from school at Alayabiagba, I will pick up our big table and carry it down to AP Junction because that’s where we display our oranges and bananas. All these taught me great lessons because it was part of what brought me to where I am today.
I recall, that hawking took me to Apapa to sell oranges and we used to see these big ships: Nigeria Coastal Liners, River Dada, River Opese, etc that time, people used to go from Ajegunle here to buy televisions, and fridges inside the Ports and I was a man of my own then, so those were the lessons that life taught me to be myself.
Fortunately for me, I had the opportunity to continue that business, registering a company and I became a supplier and a registered Customs licensed Chandler even an international one which I registered.
It has taught me something I knew will always remain in my heart and that always makes me give out to people because I always remember, I wasn’t born with a silver spoon. I struggled to become who I want to be, so I want to be an example, writing a story about myself for people to use as a motivation for their future.
Could this explain your numerous philanthropic gestures?
Well, I think, I should say, I took after my mother because I can remember those days in Alayabiagba, when my mummy would cook and this one would come to complain that she had not eaten, before you know it, food that was supposed to stay for three days will finish in one day.
Despite being a very poor woman, she was happy giving out the food to those in need knowing that she would still go out to struggle before she could cook another food. I felt that she was poor and still had the heart to give even when we didn’t have any leftovers. I felt that If my poor mother could have the heart to give, and share the little she has with others, and God was opening doors for her, then you need to be a giver because in giving, you are inviting the blessings of God.
I have never been disappointed that I am being counted or associated as a philanthropist because that is who Lampholder is. Sometimes I go to extra lengths to do things without even thinking about what will happen tomorrow because I know and always believe in the God I serve and that surely the future holds something for me.
Let’s come down to naturalness
Well, hmm, I am from a poor home but to God be the glory I was able to rise from the dust. Now when counting people from this local government my name will be counted, even though I am not that wealthy nor that famous, but at least my name will be mentioned from 1-200. At least, I have been named in a publication as one of the 50 most popular youths in the local government, which shows that one cannot buy fame because people out there are watching.
I believe that whatever I do, I do purposefully and according to Christian doctrine that when giving something with the right, you should not allow the left to see it and that is who I am truly. It’s my nature and I do not fake things.
How does Lampholder relax and which are your favorite meals?
Probably, aah, I don’t know, but lately, I have been having a loss of appetite. But if I want to eat, just give me semovita and good okro soup with fresh fish or fleshy turkey meat.
What is it that you don’t like in the politics of Ajeromi Ifelodun?
Wow, well, you are taking me really far. You see politics of desperation leads one to nowhere. It’s everyone’s right to contest, but everybody doesn’t need to win. In a battle, you fight, you win some, you lose some.
I hate diabolical people and my aspiration has taught me so many things. I don’t say no when people suggest that we go somewhere, but I believe that whatever God cannot give you, the devil cannot give you either. If the devil gives you, then you are done in this world. I hate desperate politicians who say it must be me because I have invested a lot. No, it is a business, it is either you gain or lose, that is politics.
No one comes to shout, I’ve spent so much. No, because nobody sent you and nobody does politics for the sake of God, no, it is because of what you want to get or what you want to be or earn, so I hate politics of desperation.
We have round table politics. I have sat with about two co-aspirants who were trying to woo me to step down for them and we talked, but I told them it is not my decision to take, it is the decision of the leaders who know best and I think it is the best way one should play politics, without bitterness, but taking it too far would include carrying hoodlums here and there and trying to take it by force.
My idea is that politics should be played normally and neutrally, believing that only God gives power.
Would you want to say anything about Ajegunle L’okan
Well, we are all from Ajegunle and what is good for the goose is also good for the gander. I was born and bred in Ajegunle, so if I should be against the Chairmanship coming from Ajegunle that means I am against my destiny too. However, power most times is not taken by force because we negotiate to take it by sitting down, and talking to one another.
I signed the letter, so I am part of it, but even the politics of Nigeria is politics, where leaders decide? Just check out what is happening at the Lagos House of Assembly where the impeachment of the Speaker was nullified by our party leaders and the same happened at Ajeromi legislative arm.
Though, It is ours to request, we let them see reasons to consider Ajegunle L’okan, we shouldn’t deny anyone his rights because everyone has the right to vote and be voted for.
Yes Ajegunle L’okan but there are ways to go about it but certainly not by violence.
