65 Hearty Cheers to Sen Monsurat Aladuke Sunmonu, the first and only female Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly who went on to become an outstanding Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Sen Monsurat Sunmonu is an Amazon of no mean stature,a Doyenne of the national political field of play,a reliable pathfinder for both men and women on the political turf, a dependable ally,a woman who will not say one thing and do the opposite.
She is also a woman blessed with grit,tenacity,integrity,sincerity of purpose and nerves of steel all requisite traits which have helped her to successfully navigate the shark infested waters of the Nigerian Political Turf with outstanding panache and acclaim.
Several qualities stand out about Senator Monsurat which might account for the incandescent trail she has blazed on the political turf;one of the most significant is the fact that she is an unrepentant,sincere and devout Servant of the Most High God
Her piety defines her actions and inactions.You will never see Senator Monsurat be part of any gangup against an innocent victim,Mbah!Not ever,not even for pecuniary or political reward
My first encounter with her was during an interview I conducted as the then editor of the Feminine interest page of the GSMist magazine.
Following a line of questioning ,one of the questions I asked her was if she had an ambition to run for elective office given that she was apparently at the time,in the good books of His Excellency
Her answer shocked me to the marrows and that answer,on that day several years ago,won me over as it was a display of unalloyed sincerity of purpose.
Her response to that question was and I quote :
” Mrs Balogun,God has blessed me tremendously over and beyond my expectations.
What am I looking for again? I have attained heights none in Oyo State has attained to the glory of God,my last born is completing his Master’s program soon.God has blessed me to be able to bless others.
The only ambition left for me right now is to devote my time,my resources,my prayers and devotion to the progress and ascendancy of my children and His Excellency Governor Seyi Makinde.”
I was both moved and in awe of the sincerity of purpose,passion and commitment this great woman of
great faith was ready to throw in support behind my Principal and his continued success.
Those who know me know once you display a 100% loyalty and fealty in support of my Principal Governor Seyi Makinde,you automatically become my person and can do no wrong in my sight.
I fell in love with our Doyenne of politics from that point and since then,so far have had no cause to revise my opinions.
She is also a strong supporter and encourager of up and coming women in politics.
Many a time I have had cause to seek her advice on perturbing issues of concern and her objective and wise words of advice have always brought clarity to otherwise opaque or obscure,perturbing situations.
I celebrate you today as always Distinguished ma.May your days be long ,so we can continue to draw from your wealth of experience,as you lift up and wish well for the children of others,may your children attain even greater heights than Allah ( SWT) has granted you and may you live longer to be part of the journey that takes His Excellency Governor Seyi Makinde to the expected end that all well intentioned lovers of this government desire and pray for him
Happy birthday once again ma.
Love you plenty,but you know that already.
Hon( Mrs) Toyin BALOGUN
