Olayiwola AbdulKareem: Colourful technocrat per excellence

By Ayantunde Ayangbayi, JP

Alhaji Ahmed Olayiwola Abdulkareem stands tall as a colorful technocrat and administrator in Kwara State Public Civil Service – an embodiment of discipline, resilience, unwavering commitment legislative stability in Kwara State. An administrative officer and absolute gentleman, a model public servant and astute stabilizer in the legislative business of governance. Alhaji Ahmed Olayiwola’s life journey in Kwara State Public Service reflects purpose, service and achievements.

Rising to the top of one’s chosen career is not easy especially for someone who may not have been born with a golden spoon in his month. However tenacity in pursuit and aiming at the best in whatever one does, is the secret behind every enduring success in life.

Alhaji Abdulkareem, the clerk of the Kwara State House of Assembly, (took over on 13th July, 2023) is no doubt an outstanding resource manager who over the past seven (7) years displayed rare attributes of a professional trait which have distinguished him in his chosen profession.

As the clerk to the House of Assembly in Kwara State, the amiable administrator has proved his mettle in stabilizing the lawmaking body of governance in the State of Harmony. A devoted Muslim and family man, he balances public service with private commitment, maintaining humility despite decades of prominence and paucities of Office.

Beyond the offices he has held, Olayiwola Abddulkareem’s legacy lies in his ability to inspire confidence across divides. In moments of uncertainty, his presence reassured members, staff, consultants and citizens alike. He cultivated not just a reputation for leadership, but for steadiness – an increasingly rare quality in Nigeria dynamic public service system and political terrain.

His years in the House of Assembly as the head of administrative machinery are defined not merely by longevity, stability, peaceful environment, robust working relationship but by institutional memory and procedural mastery that helped shape legislative culture, discipline and languages, with infrastructural development, staff training and re-training, in a peaceful working environment.

Alhaji Ahmed Olayiwola Abdulkareem is not merely a dependable administrator and good team player but a continuing force in the day to day administration of the House of Assembly – an enduring symbol of stability, service to humanity and principled leadership.

He commended Mr. Governor for his magnanimity at all times making the legislative arm of government to function optimally, “most uncompleted projects/buildings are receiving prompt attention courtesy of the Governor, Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, (CON), Chairman, Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) and the Sardauna of Ilorin Emirate with the continuous monitoring of the projects by Alhaji Ahmed Olayiwola Abdulkareem, the Clerk in the House of Assembly to ensure timely completion and to specification, “he stated further for example, the magnificent hall abandoned years ago is nearing completion for commissioning by Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq this year June.

The Clerk to the house appreciated Mr. Governor for providing a conducive atmosphere for civil servants/legislators that encourages higher productivity and robust working relationship in the system. Above all, kudos to Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, CON.

The 9th and 10th House of Assembly in the State of Harmony has performed their legislative functions creditably and excellently in lawmaking, legislation and oversight function under the guidance of the Clerk to the Assembly, Alhaji Ahmed Abdulkareem.

“Our prime purpose in life is to help others. And if you can’t help them at least leave them alone”, he once told an aggrieved staff some time ago.

This journalist in a chat with some Honourable members of the House, got their opinion of the Clerk to the House, “a total brain box, a blend of competence, parades a good interpersonal communication skills, very respectful, dependable and humility personified.

This piece becomes imperative to put records of achievements straight, spotlight the person of Alhaji Ahmed Olayiwola Abdulkareem a patriotic Civil Servant with absolute loyalty to the system and its activities and leadership that centered and encourages accountability & feedback.

History remains a compelling lesson in endurance, discipline and the primacy of national and state interest over personal ambition. A quiet administrator with deep involvement in community development, fantastic gentleman, colourful technocrat, consummate Omoluabi, a family man happily married with promising children embodies values of integrity, sheer doggedness of character and performance.

Keep the achievements/accomplishments/accolades in Public Service up Sir!!!

Ayangbayi, JP is a journalist/Media Consultant based in Ilorin, Kwara State.