Joseph Iranola Akinlaja
The stalwart of Zenith Labour Party
(ZLP), Hon. (Comrade) Joseph Iranola Akinlaja is a unique politician who has
laid a solid legacy for which his name will remain ever indelible on the sand
of time in Sub-Saharan Africa.
He is indeed a man who will always
be miles ahead his peers because of the patriotic nature of his struggle right
from his trade unionism days having rose to the position of General Secretary
of Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) and Deputy
President of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), (at a time when Comrade Adams
Oshiomhole held sway as the substantive President of NLC); and much later, as
Federal Parliamentarian for 8 consecutive years, through an uncommon goodwill
he enjoyed from the principled people of Ondo East and West Federal
Constituency of Ondo State who kindly gave him the opportunity to serve them in
that capacity for two terms.
Akinlaja in his generosity and
inclusive leadership style is a man that belongs to everybody and as well to
anybody who believes in his cause and ideology. Impressively, this unique
leader has a style that enables any of his followers to personalise ownership
of him. His inauguration as Ondo State Chairman of the Zenith Labour Party
(ZLP) on Saturday, January 25, 2020 simply came as an icing on the cake,
putting into account the numerous milestones and feats he has achieved in the
past as a seasoned administrator both in the private and public sectors.
He has a clean record of not
betraying anyone as well as not forgetting those who have been there for him
one way or the other; and if he believes in you, he stands by you till the end
even if he is the only one that gives in to your cause. He is a quintessential
mentor and a trailblazer; Akinlaja believes in win-win and never engages in
do-or-die politics. His humanitarian ideology rejects blood-politicking or life
wasting exercise as commonly practiced by some overzealous and vicious
politicians who have no respect for sanctity of life.
Akinlaja’s discoveries of best hands
for the jobs are based on careful observation and insights with clear
consideration for competence and more importantly without bias or prejudice.
His love for Nigeria and particularly Ondo State surpasses his biggest
ambition. He is not just a political leader but an entrepreneur who has
established viable economic platforms for people's aspirations to thrive and
for the provision of social safety nets for qualified, trainable and employable
youths at different levels.
He is not a brand made for greed as
his life is an embodiment of public good and interest which is very rare in our
body politic. Whatever Akinlaja owns is for public service, even his personal
residence is open to the people where the rich and the poor usually converge
for their respective intents.
Precisely on Monday, June 1, 2020,
Hon Joseph Iranola Akinlaja will be 70 years old to the glory of God. How best
can a man like this be honoured whose words have become that of a ‘Traditional
Oracle’ for not just his followers but the general political class and Labour
movement in the country. His finest quality lies in his ability to quickly
forgive; a large heart but clothed in children’s spirit. The youth of today must
learn a lot from this amazing political enigma and ensure that such attractive
legacies and virtues of his, become a national model for the coming generation.
The army of our youths in Nigeria
not just in Ondo State must eschew bitterness; learn the beautiful and enviable
‘doctrines’ established by Hon Joseph Akinlaja on leadership, unionism and
governance. The Yoruba race does not honour a hero alive; however, we can kill
the old norm to ensure a successful transition of legendary accomplishments
from a living hero to a successive generation which is then bound to produce
multiples of such greatness in the future.
However, what this generation must
also passionately consider at a time like this is to honour this great and
moral icon, Hon Joseph Akinlaja for his illustrious achievements, and ensure to
get the best of his finest secrets for greatness as rare resource for
leadership library. In future, generation unborn will then have access to
documented records in our historical archive of our heroes past.
This higly revered and cherished
Life Patron/Technical Consultant to Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD) Branch of
NUPENG will no doubt be remembered for his foresight, wisdom and unusual
capacity to organise and mobilise people as well as resources in actualising
positive results both in leadership and administration. Ekimogun is indeed
blessed to have a moral icon like him in her fold.
