As the felicitations continue to pour in for Lagos’s first ever Speaker of the House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Mojisola Lasbat Meranda, the former President, Rotary Club of Ikeja GRA, Rotr. Abinibi Babatunde Olawuyi has assured that congratulations are in order for the woman who is noted for many firsts in the realm of politics in Nigeria saying that she will ‘continue to record more firsts.’
Rotr. Abinibi Babatunde who is also the Managing Director/CEO of Abinibi Events Cottage affirmed the first Deputy Speaker of the Lagos House of Assembly who is now the first Speaker of the Lagos House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Meranda, ‘you are the illustrious Princess of the Oniru Royal family, you are a proud daughter of the State of Aquatic splendour, Eko, Lagos, I am very optimistic that you will excel.’
He continued his brief remarks, ‘I am very sure that you will provide the servant leadership needed in the House and that you will work together with other Lagos lawmakers to make great laws which will elevate the living standards of Lagosians.’
‘I have personally followed your trajectory as a Princess, a grassroots politician, and a lawmaker, you have held the needs and concerns of people in your hearts. This is why I believe that you will do well in this grand role. Your elevation into this role is by divine unction. I pray for you that you will enjoy Divine grace to function.’
‘Eko leads by all standards. Our very own Rt. Hon. Mojisola Lasbat Meranda leads by all standards. Congratulations to you,’ Rotr. Abinibi concluded his remarks.
TheMediaGood Newspaper can reliably report that Rt. Hon. Mojisola Lasbat Meranda becomes the second ever Speaker of a State House of Assembly in Nigeria. She follows Hon. Margaret Icheen who was the Speaker of the Benue House of Assembly from 1999-2003. Nigeria has also produced a female Speaker of her Federal House of Representatives in Hon. Patricia Etteh who served from June to October 2007.
Born on August 16, 1980, to the family of the late Chief T. A. Lawal Akapo, the Ojora of Lagos, and Princess M. A. Lawal-Akapo, Hon. Mojisola Lasbat Meranda hails from prominent royal families of Lagos: Ojora, Aromire, Onitolo, Oloto, and Oniru. Her father, a former legislator and traditional ruler, and her brother, His Royal Majesty AbdulWasiu Omogbolahan Lawal, Oniru of Iru land, have inspired her lifelong commitment to public service.
She was first elected into the Lagos State House of Assembly in 2015 to represent Apapa State Constituency I. Then she served as the Chairman of the House Committee on Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation.She was reelected in 2019 and she became a Principal Officer as she was named the Chief Whip of the Assembly.Being so resourceful, accessible and responsive to the needs of her constituents, she was reelected again in 2023 and she was elected the Deputy Speaker of the Assembly.
As a legislator, Mrs Meranda has emphasised the importance of refining existing laws to align with modern realities. Rather than focusing solely on new bills, she has advocated for repealing and amending outdated laws to ensure proper enforcement and relevance.
Beyond legislative work, her impact is evident in her constituency projects, which include medical outreaches, providing JAMB forms, training automobile mechanics, furnishing schools, constructing water projects, and empowering petty traders and widows.
A staunch advocate for gender equality, she has called for fair representation of women in politics. Her political journey, characterised by determination and grassroots connection, inspires women aspiring to leadership roles.