Musiliu Obanikoro

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Musiliu Olatunde Obanikoro (popularly known as Koro) is a Nigerian Senator and prominent politician. He lost the April 14, 2007 Lagos State gubernatorial elections, which he took part in under the banner of the People's Democratic Party (PDP).

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[edit] Biography

Musiliu Olatunde Obanikoro was born in Lagos. He is from Bakare family of Ita-Ado in Lagos Island, Ikare and Ilashe in Amuwo Odofin Local Government of Lagos State, the Obanikoro (Ajayi-Bembe) family of Lagos and Idoluwole (Ojo Local Government of Lagos), and the Eletu-Odibo (Oshobile) family of Isale-Eko, Lagos.

He attended Saint Patrick Catholic School, Idumagbo, Lagos and Ahmadiyya College (Anwar-ul/Islam College) Agege. He worked briefly as a Clerical Officer at LSHMBS, and at Union Bank as a Clerk before traveling overseas for further studies. While in the US, he attended Texas Southern University where he earned his B.Sc degree in Public Affairs and Master's Degree in Public Administration (M. P. A).

He served as an intern with Houston adult Probation Department, Houston, Texas. He worked as a social worker and later as the Head of the adolescent unit with Little Flower Children Service (an agency affiliated with New York City Department of Social Service).

He returned to Nigeria in 1989 and started his political career immediately. He was appointed as Caretaker Committee Chairman of Surulere Local Government (National Republican Convention); he was elected as the State Deputy Chairman (NRC); appointed by Governor Otedola’s administration as Director, LASBULK (Lagos State Bulk Purchasing Corporation); and member, Lagos State Football Association. He has served as Delegate to Local Government Congress, State Congress, and National Convention. He has also served as Elected State Secretary, Justice Forum. He was also the Chairman, Lagos Island Local Government; and as national Executive member, Grassroots Democratic Movement (G.D.M.).

He was appointed State Commissioner for Home Affairs and Culture in 1999 and served meritoriously for four years before he was elected Senator of the Federal republic of Nigeria. At the National Assembly, he was reputed to be the most vocal and most passionate about issues regarding Lagos State.

He was appointed by President Olusegun Obasanjo as a member of the 2004 Amirul-Hajj Committee. He is an honorary citizen of Glenarden, Maryland and Little Rock, Arkansas, and he is an Ambassador to the State.

He is the only senator from Lagos State who organizes regular town meetings and submits a yearly performance report to his constituents.

[edit] Achievements

Senator Musiliu Obanikoro has been able to record meaningful achievement at the National Assembly in the execution of his primary function as a Legislator. In the last three years, he has not only moved some ground shaking motions, but has also sponsored quite a number of bills, many of which are for the benefits of Lagosians. The motions and bills include:

  1. A motion on the surge and overflow of the Atlantic Ocean along the Bar beach shoreline;
  2. A motion to stop the incessant increment in the pump price of petroleum products;
  3. A motion calling for the rescue of Lagos State from the menace of flood;
  4. A motion calling for a probe into the destruction and disrepair of the velodrome at the National Stadium, Abuja;
  5. A motion calling for the resolution of the clash between men of the Nigerian Police Force and men of the Nigerian Army in Lagos State;
  6. A Bill for an Act to regulate and control public Buildings and for other purposes connected therewith;
  7. A Bill for an Act to regulate and control Dredging and Excavation of land for other matters related therewith;
  8. A Bill for an Act to provide for the Re-certification of Fuel Pumps and for matters related therewith;
  9. A Bill for an Act to prevent Casualisation in public and private Establishment;
  10. A Bill for an Act to amend the Federal Capital Territory Act.

[edit] Empowerment Project

During the flagging off of OPP (Obanikoro Priority Projects), hundreds of items were given out to his constituents.

  1. 250 motor bikes for prospective riders
  2. 100 milling machines
  3. 100 popcorn machines
  4. 100 sewing machines
  5. 200 assorted farming tools
  6. 400 telephone lines and phones, etc

[edit] Education

In making education a priority, the Senator established the Senator Obanikoro Leadership and Education Project (SOLEP). Under this programme he acquired:

  1. 18,000 textbooks for Secondary and University Education.
  2. 5000 copies of "40 simple Ways to Study and Prepare for Exams for Secondary School Students".
  3. 7000,000 notebooks, distributed free to students in Lagos State.
  4. 1000 GCE forms for indigent students in the last three years, and has proposed 300 GCE forms for the year 2007.
  5. He has set aside N4,000,000.00 for the provision of scholarships for indigent students in the State.

[edit] Environment/Health

  1. He has initiated an Urban renewal bill that is designed to give a face-lift to selected cities in Lagos.
  2. He has also set aside funds to help children and women who need financial assistance during surgery. Dozens of Lagosians have benefited from this fund.
  3. He is currently in partnership with a US-based NGO (AWHPI) to set up a mammogram centre that will enable women to test for Breast Cancer for free in Lagos.