Dep Gov Hamzat Highlights Lessons From Baba Bush Alebiosu’s Lifetime Of Commitment

The Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Obafemi Hamzat, has reflected on the enduring legacy of elder statesman Busura Alebiosu, popularly known as Baba Bush Alebiosu, describing his life as a masterclass in commitment, discipline, and leadership rooted in experience.

Hamzat spoke in an interview conducted for a documentary as part of activities lined up to celebrate the 90th birthday of Pa Busura Alebiosu on April 24, 2026, offering rare insight into the character and influence of one of Lagos State’s long-standing political figures.

“There are many things,” Hamzat said when asked what stands out about Baba Bush Alebiosu, adding “When you’ve been around for that long, there will be many compliments about you. There is a saying that ‘old birds are never caught cheap.’ That is why they are old—because people have not been able to catch them.”

He described Pa Alebiosu as a stabilising force in often tense political environments, noting that his composure and depth of knowledge have consistently helped to restore order in moments of uncertainty.

“What I like about him is his composure. Political meetings or gatherings can sometimes be chaotic, but what Baba does is to bring order. He takes you back to history, which helps people to calm down. It has been very great and encouraging for those of us who are younger to see how they do their things,” Hamzat disclosed.

According to the deputy governor, while today’s political actors rely heavily on technology, the older generation possessed a more structured and disciplined approach to governance and political organisation.

“We now have information technology and technology, which they didn’t have then, but they had a better system. They make you understand the right thing to do—putting order to chaos, arranging things, and guiding younger ones to know the right way. That is what I always remember him for,” he added.

Hamzat emphasised that the influential politician’s style of leadership is not forceful but persuasive, anchored on wisdom and experience.

“Baba does it in a very gentle way, and because of that, you must listen. When somebody speaks to you with experience and knowledge, you know you have to listen,” the number two citizen of Lagos state stated..

Reflecting on personal lessons drawn from years of interaction, Hamzat highlighted Baba Bush’s ability to manage political tensions, especially during candidate selection processes.

“Like I said, there are many strata in political movements. For example, when you are trying to pick a candidate for a position, all the candidates who contested may lay claim to victory—which is theoretically impossible,” the deputy governor stated.

And, explained “Baba will then tell them that only one person can win a position. He will go spiritual by saying that what God did not give you, no human being can give you. What that does is calm everyone down. The way he puts perspective into things is truly encouraging. I have learned a lot from him.”

He credited the presence of seasoned political elders like Alebiosu for what he described as Lagos State’s unique governance culture, pointing to the role of advisory bodies such as the Governance Advisory Council.

“On a general basis, that is why, in my view, Lagos is different from other states. This is because we have many elders like that in the Governance Advisory Council. They have been members of the House of Assembly, Commissioners, members of the House of Representatives, Senators, Deputy Governors—people with all sorts of experience,” he gave more insight, adding “When you listen to them, it is like listening to thousands of years of experience combined. You can’t beat that. Knowledge is about experience because you can’t remember what you don’t know. Your knowledge is a function of what you know and what you can remember.”

Hamzat added that the mentorship provided by such figures is invaluable and irreplaceable.

“These Babas, by sharing their experiences, are taking you to class without payment. The knowledge you get from them cannot be bought. That is the difference between Lagos and other states,” he said, noting that their discipline and focus were shaped in an era with fewer distractions.

He also traced the long-standing political relationship between Alebiosu and his father, recalling their shared journey through multiple political movements and defining moments in Nigeria’s democratic struggle.

“I remember that Baba and my father ( late Oba Olatunji Hamzat) were both members of the Lagos State House of Assembly in 1979. Later, my father was appointed a Commissioner, so he had to leave the House. But their relationship had already been firmly established,” he reminisced.

“Over the years, they have been together in Primose, Social Democratic Party, Alliance for Democracy, and so on. Apparently, they believe in the same political template—the progressive ideology of Awolowo and others”, Hamzat further recalled their involvement during the era of the National Democratic Coalition, when pro-democracy actors resisted military rule.

Providing more details with “During the National Democratic Coalition, they were still together, holding forth while others fled. They refused to run away. God bless the soul of Oba Sikiru Adetona, the Awujale of Ijebuland, who hosted their meetings then. He opened his palace to them and assured them of safety,”

The deputy governor described elder statesman Alebiosu’s continued participation in political activities at the age of 90 as a testament to his conviction and dedication.

“They have gone through a lot together—good times and bad times. It is amazing that Baba is still alive and healthy at that age. He still attends meetings, even congresses. You can see the commitment,” Hamzat asserted.

Adding “That is a lesson for me and others. If you look at these elderly people, it is beyond money and pride—it is conviction. They believe this is the right thing, and they will continue until the end of their lives.”

The deputy governor used the opportunity to challenge younger Nigerians to adopt a problem-solving mindset rather than a culture of complaints, drawing lessons from past administrations in Lagos State.

“For me, given what we see now, we must not become a nation of complainers. Today, as a people, we complain a lot. I am not saying it is not justified, but no country is without challenges,” he insisted, declaring “The message for the younger generation is: don’t be a complainer—be a problem solver.”

He cited the achievements of former Lagos State Governor Lateef Jakande, who he said transformed the education sector despite structural challenges, and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, whom he credited with tackling long-standing urban and economic problems.

“I recall during the administration of Alhaji Lateef Jakande, when we had three shifts in public primary schools in Mushin. He said he would change it—and he did. Even when the military government under Commodore Ebitu Ukiwe said it was not possible, Jakande achieved it,” Hamzat said.

“Before Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu became Governor of Lagos State, refuse heaps as tall as six-storey buildings were everywhere. You could not travel from Alausa to Igando without seeing numerous dead bodies on the road. There was no single public ambulance.

“It was Governor Bola Ahmed Tinubu who changed things—Lagos Waste Management Authority was revitalized, ambulances were introduced, and dead bodies were removed from the streets. We solved these problems as a people. They did not sit down to complain. That is the lesson,” the deputy governor provided more context.

Hamzat also cautioned against simplistic political promises, stressing that complex national challenges require time, discipline, and sustained effort.

“My advice to young people is: don’t listen to lies. Process information. How do you solve complex problems in one day?” he said, referencing past fiscal distortions that required gradual correction.

“Life itself is like childbirth—it is painful, difficult, and risky. But does that mean we should not have children? No. The process is tough, but the result is rewarding,”He concluded, urging the younger generation to build on the legacy of leaders like Pa Alebiosu through dedication and resilience.

“Anything valuable is hidden—oil, gold, diamond. You must dig deep to find them. That is how life works. So, we must put in effort, identify problems, and solve them—not complain,” the deputy governor shared, with the advice “That is what I see in these elders, and that is what I see in our President. The younger generation must rise to build their own legacy.”