A graduate of
Political Science from the University of Lagos (UNILAG), Senator Ganiyu
Olarenwaju Solomon was born on December 19, 1959 to the family of Alhaji Rafiu
Ishola and Alhaja Idiat Abike Solomon (Nee Oluwa).
A quintessential chip off the old block, his
father, Alhaji Rafiu Ishola Solomon, had wielded considerable influence in
Lagos politics being a politician whose career spanned the pre independence era
to the late 80’s. The late politician, who cut his political teeth in Ikorodu
area of the state as a councilor in the 40s, later grew stronger to become one
of the few shot callers in the state’s body polity.
Solomon would
later take after his father, both in business and politics. He joined the
family property and general merchandising business before venturing into
politics. He commenced his life of service to his people when he was appointed
a member of the Mushin Local Government Education Authority in the early 90’s.
He also particularly prides himself on his membership of the implementation
Committee on War Against Indiscipline and Corruption also in the early 90’s.
His first
entry into politics was during the transition programme of late General Sani
Abacha in 1997 when he contested election into the Lagos State House of
Assembly to represent Mushin 2 on the platform of Democratic Party of Nigeria
(DPN) and won in a landslide victory. Unfortunately like we all know that era
was short lived.
Upon the
nation’s return to democracy in 1999, Solomon aligned with the progressives who
had formed Alliance for Democracy (AD) in the South-west region of the country.
As a pioneer member of the party, he contested and won election as Chairman of
Mushin Local Government Area of Lagos State where he displayed quality delivery
of good governance at the grassroots level.
By 2003,
following his outstanding performance his people encouraged him to moved up the
ladder and he contested election into the House of Representatives where he
represented Mushin 1 Federal Constituency for Four years.
Again, by the
following election year, 2007 to be precise, Solomon graduated to the Senate
where he represented the largest district in Lagos State and indeed
Nigeria-Lagos West (with 12 districts). He had barely settled down in the
Senate, when he was handed the responsibility of overseeing the Senate
Committee on Capital Market. This responsibility, though huge, had brought to
fore, the ingenuity and intelligence of the lawmaker, who despite the many
crises that plagued the market, came out untainted.
In the run-up
to the April 2011 elections, Solomon was unopposed in his bid to seek
re-election in his party, the Action Congress of Nigeria. Factors responsible
for this were not far-fetched. He had upped the status of his party as well as
improved his rating as an individual. He was, unsurprisingly reelected on 9
April, 2011 and is presently the Senate Minority Whip, another responsibility
he has discharged creditably for the minority parties in the Senate.
His
legislative agenda and interests include, Poverty alleviation, Social Security,
Education, Employment Generation, Security and Providing Legislative Framework
for meeting the MDG’S.
Solomon has
continued to sustain the philanthropic legacies of his late father through his
GOS Foundation. The Foundation has over the years provided assistance in skills
acquisition, educational development, micro-credit, health care and poverty
alleviation to Lagosians irrespective of political leanings.
A devout Muslim, humanitarian, and
philanthropist, Solomon has received several awards, both home and abroad on
account of his contributions to the nation and humanity.
He is married to Mrs. Aderonke Solomon and
their union is blessed with children.
The
Senate Minority Whip, Senator Ganiyu Olanrewaju Solomon, Thursday said
he would be the next governor of Lagos State, come 2015.
