By: _Olumide (McAnelka) Adebayo_ 

Do you know him? Not the poster, not the rumour. The real man.

His name is Okusanya Oladipupo Olufunmi. But in Ago Iwoye, in Oru, in Awa and in Ilaporu, people simply call him DEEBEE.

And in 2027, DEEBEE is not just a name people call on the street. He is the man the people of Ifelodun Constituency, Ijebu North Local Government, will be voting for to represent them at the Ogun State House of Assembly ... under the platform of the *Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC).*

I asked him one day, "Where did DEEBEE come from?" He smiled and said it came from his first name, Dipo. DEE is his personal identity. BEE is what he wants to be known for... diligence, productivity, knowledge, and purposeful contribution.

That is not a campaign slogan. That is how he has lived.

DEEBEE did not fall from heaven into politics. He was born and raised in Ago Iwoye, on both sides. His father is from the Okusanya family of Iyanfolu. His grandfather, popularly called Manager, owned Oladipo Bookshop in Lagos and held the title of Gbobaniyi of Ago-Iwoye. His father today is the Baale of Iyanfolu, under the Ebumawe of Ago-Iwoye.

On his mother's side, he is from the Obisanya family, with roots in Ebidagba and Oke Laboye. Both grandfathers lived along Ijesha Road. He grew up in the family house there, opposite the old International School, in the place everybody knows as Brown House, before the family moved to Igare, Okenugbo.

So when DEEBEE says "I am from Ago Iwoye," he is not claiming it for votes. His blood, his house, his history are all there.

But what about Oru, Awa and Ilaporu? Why do they love him too?

His answer touched me. He went to Itamerin Comprehensive School... a school that sits in the middle of our four communities. It was there he met, played, read and grew with children from Ago Iwoye, Oru, Awa and Ilaporu. He did not see four towns. He saw one family.

That is why Ifelodun Constituency is one to him. Ago Iwoye, Oru, Awa and Ilaporu are not four separate votes to be shared.u They are one constituency, one people, one voice that must be heard in the House of Assembly.

To him, development must not stop at town boundary. If Ago Iwoye progresses and Oru is left behind, we have not progressed.

Look at his journey and you will understand why the youths follow him.

He started his early education in Lagos, finished his primary education at Amazing Grace School in Ago Iwoye, went to Itamerin for junior school, then Methodist Comprehensive High School. From there he entered Olabisi Onabanjo University to study Industrial Chemistry... and he graduated as the Best Graduating Student in his department.

That is not small. In a university where many struggle to pass, DEEBEE finished as the best.

During NYSC, he served as INEC Ad-hoc Personnel, APO I, during the Osun State Governorship Election. He saw elections from inside. He saw what good leadership should be, and what bad leadership does to people.

After school, he did not run away. He stayed. He opened a tutorial centre to help OOU students. What started as small tutorials grew into and academic and research support for both local and international students. He taught at Amazing Grace School and Children's Embassy, and helped prepare students for WAEC across different schools in Ago Iwoye.

In short, before DEEBEE wanted to lead anybody, he was already teaching them.

Today, he works professionally in brand development, sales, business development and supervision. He understands business, he understands people, and he understands management.

His friends call him Jay — Jay after Jay Jay Okocha, because of football. But those who know him closely call him DEEBEE, the students' friend, the teacher, the young man who always wants to add value.

Why did he enter politics? Why NDC? Why Ifelodun?

He told me: "Politics for me is not about occupying a position. It is about creating opportunities to serve, to represent people's interests, and to be part of solutions."

That is his drive. To amplify the voices of young people. To create opportunities. To serve.

And he chose the NDC because he believes Ifelodun needs a fresh platform, not the old politics of godfatherism and empty promises. A platform where a young man with capacity, character and community roots can truly represent his people.

And his vision for Ago Iwoye, Oru, Awa and Ilaporu is very simple and very clear:

Better roads. Clean water. Improved healthcare. Quality education. Agricultural development. Youth and women empowerment. Support for small businesses. Skills acquisition, vocational training and entrepreneurship for our young people.

Above all, accessible representation... where the people are heard, their concerns are communicated, and there is transparency and accountability.

No community left behind. No generation left behind.

I have seen many politicians come with fine suits and empty hands. DEEBEE is coming with history, with education, with service, and with a name that already means something: Diligence. Productivity. Knowledge. Purposeful contribution.

Ago Iwoye has given us a son. Oru, Awa and Ilaporu have adopted him as their own. In 2027, Ifelodun Constituency has a choice to make.

The question now is not whether DEEBEE is ready. The question is, are we ready to stand with our own?

*Vote DEEBEE. Vote NDC. Vote for Ifelodun Constituency, Ijebu North LG — House of Assembly 2027.*

 _~Olumide (McAnelka) Adebayo, renowned public commentator and freelancer, McAnelka inspires and educates through his writing, advocating for humanitarian causes and empowering communities._