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In this life, 50 years is a long time. And behind the numbers are moments, events, memories, and stories. They could either be shining as gold or dark as the dead of the night, but they provided a clear perspective about an individual who has enjoyed the grace of attaining the age of 50 years. This simple and straightforward reality about life is applicable to a fine gentleman and politician, Alhaji Muraina Ibrahim (Akala), who turns the golden age of 50 years.
Born on February 12, 1974, to Pa and Mrs Muraina Ajagbe of Akala compound in Gidigbo quarters of Iwo, Alhaji Ibrahim stood out as a profound manifestation of the power of will and hard work. Typical of anyone with a humble beginnings, Alhaji Ibrahim did not have it rosy from the start but walked his way out of wants through a firm mindset for success. His father, who is now late, was popularly known as Baba Elelubo in Odoori Market, Iwo, saw early enough his potentials and enrolled the young Ibrahim for a formal education.
Between 1981 and 1987, Alhaji Ibrahim had his primary education at the St. Stephen Anglican Primary School, Onilete in Molete quarters. From there, Alhaji Ibrahim moved to Local Authority Commercial Grammar School in Iwo, where he had his secondary education between 1988 to 1993. His search for tertiary education did not however came immediately, and in 1998, he secured an admission to study Accounting at the Federal Polytechnic, Offa in Kwara state, which he concluded with Ordinary National Diploma (OND) honors in 2001.
But Alhaji Ibrahim quest for knowledge seem not quenched and the following year, 2002 to be precise, he returned to the Federal Polytechnic, Offa, for his Higher National Diploma (HND) in Accounting, which he secured in 2004 after satisfying all requirements set by the institution. Just like every successful graduate, Alhaji Ibrahim participated in the National Youth Service Corp (NYSC) scheme and was posted to Sokoto in the Northwest Nigeria, where he served between September 2005– August 2006. He however seemed undone with educational pursuit, as he enrolled for Post Graduate Diploma at the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Ogbomoso, Oyo state between 2009 and 2010 and picked up an honour in Accounting. Between 2010 and 2012, Alhaji Ibrahim secured an MBA in Financial Management from LAUTECH, marking the height of his educational pursuit.
Away from this dazzling educational exploit of Alhaji Ibrahim is something spectacular about him– and that is his passion for service. A lot of people who know Alhaji Ibrahim will attest to his sound administrative capacity and ability to achieve results in difficult situations. The first test of his capacity came in 2004 when the then Chairman of Iwo local government, Alhaji Ajadi Salawu (Asaliwa), appointed him as the Supervisor for Education. Between April 2004 and August 2005 that the office lasted, Alhaji Ibrahim was able to help his principal achieve his mandate in the education sector, translating in not just strategic investments in infrastructural upgrade in the facilities of school, but also improve in the output by public schools under jurisdiction.
His stellar performance as the Supervisor for Education under Alhaji Ajadi Salawu, perhaps, endeared him to leaders and stakeholders of the PDP, who presented him as the Councillor to represent Gidigbo III during the 2007 local councils election in Osun state. He won the election and was sworn into office on January 3, 2008, and served from that time to December 2010 under the Chairmanship of Alhaji Sulaiman Bello. In that same year, he was elected as the Leader of the House and held the position till December 2010 when he left office. Between January 2008 and December 2010, Alhaji Ibrahim served as the Secretary for Councillors Forum in Osun state under the Chairmanship of Hon. Jelili Olaniyan (Danku), underscoring the wide acceptance of his capacity.
On the political front, Alhaji Ibrahim is a force to reckon with. He is a foundation member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and plays a prominent role in the Iwo chapter of the party, where he is a major player up to the 2023 general election. In the build-up to the 2004 council in the election in Iwo local government, Alhaji Ibrahim did the unusual by painting roads with the appeal to vote for the PDP and its candidate in the election. At that time, such campaign approach was uncommon but gained the attraction of voters who went on to elect the PDP chairmanship candidate against all odds.
In the 2014 governorship election in Osun state, Alhaji Ibrahim stood in as the PDP returning officer. In the 2015 general election, contested for the House Assembly seat for Iwo Constituency, losing the election to the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate. By 2017, Alhaji Ibrahim resumed the role of the PDP returning officer during the Osun West Senatorial District by-election, which was won by Senator Ademola Adeleke, now incumbent Governor of Osun State. Alhaji Ibrahim served as the returning officer for the PDP in Iwo local government for the 2019 general election and the 2022 governorship election, which marked the return of the party to power in Osun state with the victory of Senator Ademola Adeleke. He held this same role in the 2023 general election, which saw the PDP swept all available contested positions.
Following the successes of the PDP in the 2023 general election, particularly in the Ayiwola federal constituency, Alhaji Ibrahim was drafted as the Senior Legislative Aide (SLA) to the Member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Mudashiru Lukman (L&K) in June of 2023. He coordinates the successful implementation of the programmes and the smooth running of operation of Honourable Mudashiru’s legislative agenda.
Two things stand out in Alhaji Ibrahim’s trajectory of life so far– having a plan and knowing how to go about it. Over the last five decades, Alhaji Ibrahim has been able to show that what actually makes a man is not the size of his pocket but his dream and the patience to pursue him. Alhaji Ibrahim is a patient politician, and this is not because he doesn’t entertain ambition, but he seem to take to heart the counsel of a 18th century French philosopher, Jean-Jacques Rousseau, that “Patience is bitter, but its fruit is sweet.”
One thing you cannot overlook about Alhaji Ibrahim is his calm nature and attentiveness, creating a sense of accessibility that transcends the political space. Beyond the academic and political achievements, Alhaji Ibrahim reflects the honour and reward that lies with hard work. In a society often beset with challenges of unemployment, Alhaji Ibrahim has over the years demonstrated the amazing potential in the agriculture sector, making not just a living from it but creating job for many others through the venture. Alhaji Ibrahim is happily married with children.
As he marks the golden jubilee age, it is not just to acknowledge the passage of time but an opportunity to acknowledge the lesson of faith, the honour in hard work and the firm will to succeed that Alhaji Ibrahim’s past clearly portrayed. This moment is not just a milestone but a celebration of a lifetime dedicated to the service of others. I join family, friends, and well-wishers to celebrate him and pray that the years ahead bring even more rewarding experiences, not just for him but everyone who looked up to him. Happy 50th birthday to you, Alhaji (Hon) Muraina Ibrahim (Akala).
May God continue to cover you on your day and beyond. Wishing you a fantastic birthday, dad!
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