First female councillor: T.T.O. marks one year in office, birthday in grand style

Michael Olumide Alabi

It was a double celebration in Orile-Agege LCDA, Lagos State, on Sunday, as Hon. Temitope Aminat Tele Olukoya, popularly known as T.T.O., marked her birthday alongside the first anniversary of her assumption of office as Councillor representing Ward E.

The colourful celebration, held at the Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Ajayi Obasa Constituency Office, Alaagba, Orile-Agege LCDA, attracted party members, political associates, friends, market women, community members and other constituents who gathered to celebrate the milestone with the councillor.

The occasion also provided an opportunity for constituents and political stakeholders to reflect on Olukoya’s first year in office, her emergence as the first female councillor in the history of Orile-Agege LCDA and her contributions to grassroots politics and community representation.

Speaking with journalists at the event, Mr. Abdulfatai Olagoke Ajibola, Special Adviser to the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Ajayi Obasa, on Legislative Matters, congratulated Olukoya on what he described as a remarkable political achievement.

Ajibola described the celebrant as a record breaker, having become the first woman to occupy the councillorship position in the history of Orile-Agege LCDA.

He commended her resilience, courage and determination to participate actively in politics and urged her to remain focused in the discharge of her responsibilities to the people.

According to him, Olukoya’s achievement should serve as encouragement to other women who aspire to participate meaningfully in politics and public service.

He wished her success in her current tenure and in any other elective position she might aspire to in the future.

Ajibola also appealed to the electorate to continue to support Olukoya and Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Ajayi Obasa, whom he described as a major political figure and leader in Lagos State.

He said Obasa was preparing to seek election to the Federal Constituency in 2027 and urged constituents to support his political aspirations.

The Special Adviser also called on Nigerians to support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the 2027 general elections, arguing that the administration should be given adequate time to consolidate its programmes and policies.

He likened the process of development to the building of a house, stressing that meaningful development could not be achieved overnight.

According to him, the President should be allowed to continue with the reforms and initiatives already commenced by his administration.

Siliki praises Olukoya’s political commitment
Also speaking at the event, a prominent member of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Alhaji Adewale Siliki, commended the councillor for what he described as her commitment to the people and the political organisation.

Siliki said Olukoya had “paid her dues” in the political space and had demonstrated commitment to both men and women in her constituency even before becoming an elected councillor.

He prayed that the celebrant would continue to rise and attain greater heights in politics and other areas of life.

He also spoke on the importance of patience, loyalty and commitment in political participation.

According to him, political aspirants should not become desperate or engage in unnecessary struggles over elective positions.

He maintained that political positions would come at the appropriate time and advised members of the APC to remain loyal, focused and committed to the party.

He added that he would not struggle for elective positions, saying he believed that when the time was right, he would attain his political aspirations according to the will of Allah.

Olukoya empowers constituents
As part of activities marking the double celebration, Hon. Olukoya distributed gifts worth about ₦20,000 each to selected petty-trading women among her constituents.

Additional cartons of gifts were also packaged for distribution to other constituents who attended the event.
The gesture, according to the organisers, was part of the councillor’s efforts to identify with members of her constituency and appreciate them for their support throughout her political journey.

The gathering therefore combined political engagement with community appreciation, as constituents joined in celebrating the councillor’s birthday and her first year in public office.

T.T.O. appreciates constituents, Obasa
In her remarks, Olukoya expressed appreciation to her constituents for the support they gave her before and after the election, describing their backing as instrumental to her emergence as the first female councillor in the history of Orile-Agege LCDA.

She also expressed deep appreciation to her political mentor and leader, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Ajayi Obasa, for believing in her and providing the support that contributed to her emergence.

Olukoya acknowledged that there were several women who were qualified and capable of serving in the position, but said she considered her emergence a product of God’s grace and the confidence reposed in her by her political leadership.

She described Obasa’s support as significant to her political journey and pledged not to disappoint him.

According to her, she remained grateful for the confidence and support she had received since joining the political party.

The councillor also used the occasion to encourage women who are interested in politics not to give up despite the numerous challenges confronting female politicians.

She urged women to remain determined, resilient and focused on their aspirations, stressing that challenges should not prevent them from seeking opportunities to serve their communities and contribute to governance.

Olukoya said her own political journey was evidence that women could break barriers and attain leadership positions when they remained committed and persistent.

She described herself as a testimony of God’s grace and an example of what women could achieve through determination, support and perseverance.

Calls for continued political support
The celebrant, while concluding her remarks, appealed to constituents and other stakeholders to remain patient and continue to support the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

She also urged the electorate to support her political mentor, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Ajayi Obasa, in his future political aspiration ahead of the 2027 elections.

The event ended on a celebratory note, with constituents, political associates, friends, market women and community members joining Olukoya to mark both her birthday and her first year in office.

For many of the participants, the occasion was not only a birthday celebration but also a recognition of a significant milestone in the political history of Orile-Agege LCDA, following the emergence of Olukoya as the first woman to serve as councillor in the area.