Tayo Ayinde: An Unsung, Unseen Force for Greater Lagos
One of the most amazing things about Ayinde is how he takes the back seat despite undertaking pivotal roles for Lagos state and continued to make great impacts in the system without seeking the usual publicity or praise singing as common with politicians.
No doubt, Tayo Akinmade Ayinde, the re-appointed Chief Of Staff to Lagos State Governor, Babajide Olushola Sanwo Olu, played a pivotal role in the re-election of his principal, justifying the Governor’s enduring confidence in him.
Ayinde has on several instances proved his mettle as an indefatigable, courageous, dependable and charismatic being, that metamorphosed into the success witnessed by the All Progressives Congress, APC, at the March 18th Governorship Election.
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He never rested on his oars, as he remains the bulwark of the Lagos State Government and a raging Buffalo in the Political Circle.
Ayinde also remains the unseen pillars behind the unfurling success story of the Lagos government.
Though the failure of the All Progressives Congress, APC, to win Lagos State at the February 25th Presidential Election sent jitters down the spines of all, including Governor Sanwo Olu, Ayinde rallied others to keep hope alive.
The Labour Party which came from obscurity to prominence caused an upset as the APC had to go back to the drawing board to restrategize on how to win the re-election of Governor Sanwo Olu.
The political expertise of Ayinde was needed. Little wonders he has been severally described as a quintessential leader; full of diligence, integrity, instincts, and credible actions to administer the state affairs in the right direction and above all, humility.
Ayinde swung into action by working tirelessly to see that his principal achieved his Second Term dream and this came to reality.
The strategic choice of Ayinde who is garbed with eloquent accomplishments both in public and private, cannot be an accident but a divinely crafted design, especially for a state that is in imperatively urgent desperation to make its mega city dream transform itself into fruition.
This could only happen if the Sanwo Olu administration is allowed to paddle the affairs of the State for another term, which was achieved through the prowess, doggedness, political experience and wherewithal of Ayinde.
A certified accountant, security expert, entrepreneur and politician who earned his security expertise after a 16-year stint, working for the State Security Services (SSS) from 1993, harvesting along the way, a broad spectrum of experience in security and safety management including investigations, operational duties and guard force.
It is always reassuring when the knowledge garnered does not fritter away by the wayside, but is gainfully deployed towards positively impacting the people one way or the other.
That definitely remains a vindication of his appointment as the Chief Security Officer to the then governor of Lagos State, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu, a task which he executed with extraordinary zeal and unusual passion, because, as the Chief Security Detail to the then governor, he worked with other executives and security consultants operating in the state to decide on the priority of its security needs and to coordinate intelligence gathering for the State House and the Governor.
He was born into a family in the once sleepy town of Ikorodu.
He hails from the Ikorodu area of Lagos State, attended St. Peters’ Anglican Primary School, Alausa, Ikeja, and Ogudu Grammar School, Ojota – both certificates evidently obtained from Lagos. With degrees in Banking and Finance, Accountancy, and Financial Management, the bespectacled Lagos boy has given his life to different business outfits, all of which contributed to his doggedness and resolute disposition.
Ayinde is equally God-fearing and loving, trustworthy and reliable, captures the essence of truth, displays sincerity, candor and practises what he preaches. He loves people with all his heart, might, mind, soul and striving to help them every step of the way.
One of the most amazing thing about Ayinde is how he takes the back seat despite huge roles and continued to make great impact in the state without seeking the usual publicity or praise singing as common with politicians.
Now at the apex of things, Ayinde is finally able to significantly contribute his bit, even as the de facto first chief of Lagos State.
Observers in the Lagos political arena are keenly watching out for the enigma who has withstood many challenges on his way, taking their on and emerging victorious. One can imagine how much more this man, who has been described by many as a tremendous blessing to the state of excellence, will impact the state as he remains a beacon of hope and symbol of continuity in the long continuum of progressive leadership in the state.
