An aspirant for the Kwara State House of Assembly from Ilorin East Constituency, Hon. Hammed Oladimeji Salihu, has outlined his vision for inclusive representation, grassroots development, and improved infrastructure if elected to serve the people.
Speaking during an interview session with journalists, Hon. Salihu shared insights into his background, professional journey, and motivation to represent the constituency at the state legislature.
The aspirant, a native of Iponrin Ward in Oloro-Ile Village, Ilorin East Local Government Area of Kwara State, said his decision to join the race stems from a deep desire to give his community and the wider constituency a stronger voice in governance.
“I am a proud son of Ilorin East, born on September 27, 1974, at the Maternity Hospital in Maraba. My upbringing in this community shaped my understanding of the needs and aspirations of our people,” he said.
Hon. Salihu explained that his educational journey began at Ideal Nursery and Primary School, G.R.A., Ilorin, where he obtained his First School Leaving Certificate, before proceeding to Command Secondary School, Kakuri, Kaduna, where he completed his secondary education in 1993.
He later attended Kwara State Polytechnic, where he studied Mechanical Engineering.
According to him, his quest for knowledge and professional advancement took him to the United States, where he attended Brick Computer Science Institute in Brick Township, New Jersey, earning a Diploma in Computer Technology with an outstanding GPA of 4.0.
During his stay abroad, he also acquired several internationally recognized certifications, including Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA), Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP), and CompTIA A+ Certification for Hardware and Software, among others in the Information Technology field.
Reflecting on his professional career, Salihu revealed that he first worked with Africa Petroleum in Lagos before relocating to the United States, where he served as Technical Manager at C.E.C. Entertainment for ten years.
He later joined Verizon Telecommunications, where he worked as a Telecom Specialist for four years, gaining further expertise in communications technology and infrastructure.
“I had the privilege of working in advanced technological environments abroad, but my passion for contributing to the development of my home community remained strong,” he said.
The aspirant noted that he returned to Nigeria in 2019 to actively participate in grassroots politics and community development in Kwara State.
Since then, he said he has been a committed stakeholder of the All Progressives Congress (APC) at the ward, constituency, and state levels.
Salihu highlighted some of the initiatives he has supported in his community, including the facilitation of road construction and water supply projects aimed at improving living conditions for residents.
According to him, his aspiration is driven by the belief that Ilorin East deserves effective, responsive, and people-oriented representation in the State Assembly.
“For too long, many voices in our constituency have felt unheard. I believe representation should be about listening to the people, understanding their needs, and working tirelessly to address them,” he said.
He added that his international exposure and professional experience have equipped him with the skills needed to contribute meaningfully to policy discussions and development initiatives in the state legislature.
Salihu also emphasized the need for greater attention to youth empowerment, infrastructure development, and improved access to basic amenities across communities in Ilorin East.
He further expressed confidence that the time has come for Iponrin Ward to produce the next member of the Kwara State House of Assembly, noting that equitable representation would strengthen unity and development within the constituency.
“My goal is simple — to provide purposeful leadership and ensure that the voices of the people of Ilorin East are clearly heard at the Kwara State House of Assembly,” he said.
He concluded by reaffirming his commitment to the development of Kwara State and the progress of Nigeria.
“God bless Kwara State and God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” he said.