Otunba Isaac Olaseni Amao is an All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain.
He is a business leader and the President of Isaac Olaseni Amao Foundation, a non-governmental organisation focused on sustainable philanthropic interventions. Amao is also a real estate consultant. He spoke with OLUDARE RICHARDS on the state of the nation, President Bola Tinubu’s recent initiative on State Police and sundry issues.
Could you briefly introduce yourself?
Otunba (Dr) Isaac Olaseni Amao is from Babaloma in Ifelodun Local Council of Kwara State. I have a Bachelor of Science degree in International Relations and a Master of Science in the same discipline. I am a serial entrepreneur. I ventured into real estate, Fintec and electrical engineering.
I am the Chairman, Enox-ville Properties Limited, a fast growing real estate company in Abuja. I am also the Chairman, Olaseni Engineering and Environmental Services Limited. I am in the Group of Capsen Financial Services Limited, an international money transfer firm operating here in Nigeria and overseas. I am also the President of Isaac Olaseni Amao Foundation, a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO).
What inspired you to establish the Isaac Olaseni Amao Foundation?
The Isaac Olaseni Amao Foundation was established on August 15, 2014, with the aim of giving voice to the voiceless. It was established to support Nigerians to thrive and become productive. It was established to empower venerable Nigerians. My passion for people with emphasis on good governance and Information and Communication Technology (ICT) pivoted the establishment of the foundation. The foundation has a mission to create and add value to Nigerians in order to be self-reliant and productive citizens.
We learnt you ventured into politics in 2019 by contesting on the platform of Labor Party (LP) for a House of Representatives seat. Are you still interested in elective office?
Yes. I ventured into politics almost a decade ago. I was at first the Chief of Staff to the national chairman of LP, the late Dr. Mike Omotosho. I was encouraged to pick a form to represent Ifelodun Offa and Oyun Federal Constituency in Kwara State. I was one of the earliest persons that started strategising as early as 2017. By 2019, there was a drastic change in the political arena of Kwara State. A team of progressives came together under the “Otege” umbrella to get rid of a long standing oligarchy that had existed for over four decades. After this, many of us had to bury our ambitions. Since then the coast is not clear. I thought of getting a ticket in 2023 under the All Progressives Congress (APC) but by virtue of zoning, it was not favourable to me. I am anticipating and hoping that if I am given the opportunity this time around, I will represent my people so well in the Green Chambers. Yes, I am very much interested if the coast is clear enough for me to fly.
Looking back, what are some of the most significant lessons you learnt in politics and how have they shaped your approach?
Politics is in my blood for I have always held positions of leadership from primary school, secondary school and university and even after university. After I left the university, a friend and I noted that most of the principles and ideologies that have been practiced by many Nigerian political parties were not ideal. As young men, we didn’t understand what it takes to own a party. We thought of floating a party. When we didn’t get headway, we decided to establish a political group known as Progressive Youths of Nigeria. From the Progressive Youths of Nigeria we moved to KOWA Party. Nothing was happening there; so we defected to the LP where I worked closely with the then national chairman, the late Dr. Mike Omotosho.
With all my little experience in the past few years, I have learnt a lot of lessons. My late principal will always tell me “learn from mistakes.” There were some mistakes he paid several millions to learn from. I got them for free because I did not take them for granted.
If you look at the previous question you asked if I would be willing. Yes, I am willing to serve my people because politics should be a service to humanity and not domination. It is not something you just dabble into looking at the political landscape of this country. Politics is not meant for the poor; it is very expensive. It has to do with a whole lot of money. We can’t be unrealistic at this moment; Nigerian politics is very expensive. I have seen a few people who became poor after contesting and not winning elections. And you see those that won doing everything possible to remain in power. I have learnt a lot of lessons I can’t say on this platform. It is a game for the brave; it is a game to be played systematically. If not, you will bite your fingers.
How do you see the Renewed Hope Agenda of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu Administration? Would you say it has impacted the lives of the people?
I am not so close to the president. Of course I am a card carrying member of the APC but I will talk like a social commentator. I will talk like a normal citizen. His policies have been good even though some are very harsh. And those that go to the gym will tell you “no pain no gain.” It is a rigorous situation and for those that see other countries that have developed today, it was not easy for them.
There was always a time like what we are experiencing in Nigeria today. The policies may be biting the people now but in the end, they will thank President Tinubu. I will encourage everyone to pray with him.
Lets pray for our president and let’s support him. The president should put something in place. It is not easy to rebuild a whole lot of things that have been destroyed long before now. It is a process; we shall get there. I admonish the president to always put some measures in place to cushion the effects of subsidy removal.
Many prominent politicians are defecting on a daily basis to the African Democratic Alliance (ADC), which has the sole aim of unseating the APC government in 2027. Do you foresee the success of this coalition?
It is like rebels coming together; ADC is a child’s play. Such a coalition may not work. Reason is that everyone in that coalition has an ambition to be president. Both Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi want to be president. Rotimi Amaechi also wants to be president. A house divided against itself cannot stand.
President Tinubu recently mooted the idea of setting up State Police to check incessant insecurity in the country. How do you see the president’s initiative?
I support the president’s initiative on State Police. The establishment of state police is a timely and necessary step towards enhancing security in Nigeria. With the rising wave of insecurity across the country, it’s evident that the current security framework needs to be reformed.
Benefits of state police are many. Firstly, the state police would allow for more localised control and response to security challenges, potentially leading to improved safety and security for citizens.
Secondly, it will enhance security issues specific to their regions, making security measures more effective. In the same vein, it will foster close relationships with local communities, enabling more effective policing and community engagement.
While the implementation of state police is still in progress, it is expected to bring about positive changes in the security landscape. The meeting of the 36 state governors underscores the commitment to exploring the establishment of state police. I believe President Tinubu’s initiative on state police is a step in the right direction.
The Minister of Education recently announced the lifting of the embargo on the employment of lecturers in the universities. What is your take on this?
The recent announcement by the Minister of Education lifting the embargo on the employment of lecturers in the universities is a welcome development. This move has significant implications for the education sector, particularly in addressing the shortage of lecturers that has been exacerbated by the brain drain syndrome. The lifting of the embargo is expected to improve the quality of education in Nigerian universities. With more lecturers on board, students will benefit from smaller class sizes, more individualised attention and a better learning experience. Additionally, the influx of new lecturers will bring fresh perspectives, ideas and expertise, which will enhance the academic environment.
Who are your role models or mentors professionally and in politics?
There is no way I will write about my political history without mentioning the late Dr. Mike Omotosho. He is a political giant at home and abroad. Another role model is the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo. I believe in his transformative agenda. His ways of leadership and his legacies cannot be matched by any living or dead politician.
As a business mogul, what advice would you give to Nigerian youth who are just starting up in business?
Nigerian youth are like any youth in the world. They should adhere to the seven principles: They must work hard. They must be patient. They must be ready to sacrifice time and money. They should be disciplined. Discipline keeps you growing. They must be consistent. They must believe in themselves. They must be positive and they must be focused.
How have you balanced your personal and professional life over the years and what tips can you offer for maintaining this balance?
My personal growth must have affected my business and my person. The more I grow, the more I understand my personal life.
What is your guiding principle in life?
My guiding principle is premised on Matthew 6: 33 – “Seek first the Kingdom of God and all other things men are dying for will be added to you.”
