06/08/2025
JSB: FLOWERS FOR A TRANSFORMATIVE LEADER.
I have known Hon. Johnson Babatunde the immediate past Chairman of Orile Agege LCDA, Lagos State, Southwest Nigeria, since our paths crossed as students of the same school in the late 70s.
Back then, just like the creator of Fuji, the late aare Sikiru Ayinde Barrister sang, ori lo mo Onola Lola. Only Destiny knows the directions our lives will take.
By the time we left secondary school in the early 80s, political activities for the 1983 elections were just beginning to come together.
As an indigene and the son of a famous political leader in the Orile Agege area, Sunday became the magnet that pulled the youth of the area together in support of the progressives of that era.
When the military struck in 84, Sunday, who is now know more as JSB, did what we all did: went to school, start a career , got married, have kids.
But when political activities was restored in 1999, JSB emerged as a noted grassroots mobilizer for his neighborhood. His charisma, honesty and making sure his word remained his bond earmarked him for political relevance in Agege.
When Orile Agege LCDA was created, the general consensus among the youth of the area was that JSB would be a shoo in for leadership of the LCDA, but party leaders had other ideas.
While some of us who are his schoolmates, Dr. Taofeek Akande and Segun Agunbiade, both late, who are scions of prominent families on Agunbiade street, got pi**ed by the constant request by the elders for JSB to step down and serve as deputy to their choice, it was Sunday who would calm us down, reminding us that God’s time is the best.
An ordained pastor, Sunday’s unshakable belief in the path that God has laid for him, even at periods when all hopes seem lost, is a clearly testimony to his faith.
It was therefore not a Suprise when he got the ticket to contest as Chairman of the LCDA eight years ago.
For a man who had served as a deputy multiple times, he took the opportunity and ran with it.
By the time he finished his second term tenure last week, he has acquired a new sobriquet: Mr. Project.
From reconstructing township roads to renovation of primary schools. From building a new Council building to empowering his constituents, JSB became the darling of the Orile Agege community, who were enamored with his constant intervention to make life better for indigenes and residents of the LCDA.
As you move forward in your life’s journey of service to Community, I applaud your unparalleled achievements at the local level, and I know that if given bigger responsibilities, you will execute them with the same single minded pursuit of excellence that you exhibited during your tenure at Orile Agege LCDA.
I am proud of you, the old students of AHOSA are proud of you, all of us who are your classmates are proud of you. We wish you well in your future endeavors, and stand with you gidigba in whatever comes next.
Well done, Pastor Johnson Sunday Babatunde, omo Baba Ajani Babatunde ni Orile Agege.
My10kobo.
©Ganiu Kayode- Balogun Jr
Babajide Sanwo-Olu
Dr. Obafemi Hamzat
Akinola Idowu
Usman Akanbi Hamzat
Tokunbo Wahab
Noble Mhr Agege
Oya Obasa
Agegetv Agege
The Lagos State Government
