It is a truism that whatever one labours hard to get, he guards jealously. This is exactly the case of Hon. Mashood Mustapha, a House of Representatives member, representing Ilorin West/Asa Federal Constituency at the lower chamber of the National Assembly.
Mustapha really worked hard to get elected into the House of Representatives during the 2011 general elections.
The popularity of his party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kwara State notwithstanding, the federal lawmaker and his team engaged in rigorous house to house campaign to earn his constituents mandate to represent them in Abuja.
Going by the above, the reason for his being in the news constantly since the inauguration of the sixth national assembly is not far fetched. The simple reason for his pragmatism in the Federal House and his constituency back home, is his determination to justify the confidence reposed in him by the electorate.
Today, in Kwara State, aside the new political leader of the state, Senator Bukola Saraki, Mustapha is another federal lawmaker that is in constant touch with his constituents.
This is a deliberate policy mapped out by Mustapha as he has stationed his two legislative aides in Ilorin, Kwara state capital to monitor events for him in his area of coverage as a Representative. Not only this, he has also left his campaign structure intact to bring about effective rapport between him and his constituents.
The campaign directorate parades credible and grassroots politicians as members. They include the former Commissioner for Special Duties in the state, Alh. AbdulRazaq Lawal, Alh. Nurudeen Jaji (Director General), Alh. AbdulRasaq Adio (Director, Operation), Alh. Abdullahi Igbayilola Akande (Senior Legislative Assistant) and Alh. Ayinde Jimoh (Legislative Assistant).
Immediately after the inauguration of the sixth national assembly, Mustapha took the task of the rehabilitation of two federal collapsing bridges in the state upon himself. On returning home from Abuja, he drove straight to the sites of both the Moro and Ohan bridges along Alapa – Bakase road for an on the spot assessment.
When he returned to Abuja, he moved a motion for the rehabilitation of the two bridges in the floor of the House of Representatives. His efforts on this have paid off as the Kwara state government has intervened by committing N15million to the rehabilitation of the Ohan bridge.
After tackling the issue of the collapsing bridges, the federal lawmaker in response to the request of his constituents in Asa local council, donated 100 bags of fertilizers to the farmers in the area to aid their farming activities.
Mustapha equally sponsored 20 members of his constituents on holy pilgrimage – Umrah and Hajj. He also granted substantial financial assistance to 29 Law school students as well as 100 other students studying various courses in higher institutions. He also offered financial assistance to about 50 needy members of his constituency.
And during the Eid-el-Kabir and Christmas festivals, Mustapha spent close to N10 million in buying gifts for his constituents.
The federal lawmaker also paid his routine visit to his constituency last weekend. During the visit, he took time to visit and commiserate with the family of the slain Muideen Opobiyi who was killed in Ilorin during the fuel subsidy withdrawal protest. He was also at Agbaji to commiserate with the Eleshin – Nla family over the death of a prominent son of Ilorin, Barrister Imam Issa Kayode Eleshin – Nla.
Honourable Mustapha who also visited Ohan bridge where repair works of the collapsed bridge was on-going, expressed satisfaction with the level of work done so far.
He expressed optimism that based on the information he received, the repair works on the bridge will be completed and fit to be used very soon.
The legislator however, appealed to road users to be more careful of the type of vehicle that would ply the road, bearing in mind the carrying capacity of the bridge.
Alhaji Anafi Saka, a community leader of the area where the bridge was constructed said the people of the community are highly impressed with the commitment the military engineers working on the bridge were going about it.
The 3-star military officer (captain) who refused to answer questions from newsmen told the lawmaker that the job will be completed in two weeks time.