pannigeriannews 
By Femi Ogunlana
Senator Ayoade Hamzat Ademola Adeseun celebrates his birthday today, August 1, 2025. Many will be the congratulatory messages from far and near. I felicitate him too and wish him many more years on earth in peace, health and prosperity.
Senator Adeseun means different things to different people but one undeniable fact about him is that he is devoted to the progress and development of his community. As a council boss (Surulere local government in Ogbomoso Oyo state), as legislator (House of Representatives and Senate) most especially, he left indelible mark, one all the water of the ocean cannot wash off. I am always enamoured to him because of his accomplishments in politics in terms of projects he facilitated to his constituency and Ogbomoso as a whole. That should be the basis of politics, making the people being represented attain a better life. By what Senator Adeseun accomplished particularly in his 12 years as a lawmaker, he exemplifies a development – oriented politician. His achievements are definite and measurable. As l noted in an earlier article in 2023, his two greatest accomplishments are the establishment of the Nigerian Navy Secondary School Iresapa and the Federal Polytechnic Ayede both in Ogbomoso. These two to me have made him immortal and made him benchmark of representative politics. He told me when he commissioned me through the recommendation of Barrister Dapo Atanda to write the early history of the Federal Polytechnic Ayede (Federal Polytechnic Ayede – The Journey So Far) how he braved all odds to get the institution located in Ogbomoso. He could have traded it off for pecuniary benefits but he chose the path of patriotism and he was extremely dogged in the pursuit brilliantly navigating various treacherous challenges to get it approved for and retained in his constituency. The polytechnic and the Navy Secondary School are today sources of employment and income generation in the zone. In addition, they have more deeply entrenched Ogbomoso’s name in the educational map of Nigeria, enhancing its image.
Senator Adeseun as legislative benchmark: Clarion call to better his best
Adeseun also leveraged on his influence to inaugurate an industrial complex in his expansive estate at Onipaanu which is a chemical technology centre aside churning out other essential products. His farms also are thriving offering immense opportunities.
Several other projects are likewise ascribed to him – health facilities, skill acquisition centres, dams provision, electrification projects, youth centres, stadiums, NDE centre, erosion control projects, boreholes, and so on. Though not all of these are adequately functional or operational today you can not fault the spirit that birthed them.
Senator Adeseun fondly called “Ayo Solar” because of his pioneering efforts in solar street lighting, has never relented in serving Ogbomoso’s interest at large through membership of various other forums and committees. He remains a City Father and a beacon of hope.
He passed out of Ogbomoso Grammar School in 1972 with flying colours. He thereafter, obtained a Diploma in Town Planning from The Polytechnic, Ibadan, Oyo state, and was an Assistant Town Planning Officer with Urban Development Consultants in Ibadan, from 1976 to 1977.
He travelled to the United States, residing in California, where he worked as an Associate Planner, Southern California Association of Governments, Los Angeles from March 1980 until November 1982, and then as a Budget/Administrative Analyst with the same organization from November 1982 to April 1987.
In 1986, he bagged a B.A in Political Science/Public Administration from California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, California, U.S. He then held a series of administrative positions associated with logistics at Santa Monica College (1987–1989), California State University (1989–1992) and Saddleback College (April 1992 – September 1994).
He returned to Nigeria in 1994, and became a Principal Partner and Chief Executive Officer of Facilities and Environmental Management Associates, in Ibadan.
The pull of politics overwhelmed him and was subsequently drawn into active partisan politics. In 1996, he was elected on a non-party basis as Executive Chairman of Surulere local government, Iresaadu, holding office from March 1996 to January 1997, and was reelected to this position on a party basis, holding office until July 1998.
He was the founding state chairman of the All People’s Party (APP) in Oyo state (Sept 1998 – February 2000). From October 1999 to February 2003, he was chairman of the Board of Directors, Oyo State Transport Company.
In April 2003, he was elected a member of the Federal House of Representatives to represent Surulere/Ogo-Oluwa Federal Constituency. He was appointed Chairman of the Appropriations Sub Committees on Power & Steel, and Science & Technology and was also a member of House Committees on Appropriations, Education, Judiciary, Information and Gas Resources.
Adeseun was reelected to the House of Representatives in April 2007, running on the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) platform.
He was appointed Chairman of the South West Parliamentary Caucus, Chairman of the House Committee on Appropriations, and member of House Committees on Pension Matters, Rural Development, Sports and National Planning.
In 2010, he defected to the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) party. He was fielded by the party in the April 9, 2011, election for the Oyo Central Senatorial seat. He won notching 105,975 votes, ahead of Luqman O. Ilaka of the Accord party with 92,544 votes and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) candidate with 78,643 votes. He thus became a Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
He emerged as the Chairman of the Capital Markets Committee and a member of the Solid Minerals Committee.
He has also sought to be Governor of Oyo state but he failed so far to realise the ambition. He however continued to provide quality leadership at different levels and spheres. He is a leader of the ruling All Progressives Congress APC today. He holds chieftaincy titles including being the Mayegun of Ogbomosoland.
May God grant him many more years to make impact in his community and beyond.
Happy birthday to a principled patriarch! A non-conformist in the face of values un-agreeable to him.
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