With a change of guard at the Lagos State Ministry of Tourism Arts & Culture that witnessed the exit of Mrs Shulamite Olufunke Adebolu in a surprising cabinet reschuffle, the new helmsperson at the ministry is a pharmacist and astute politician, Mrs Uzamat Akinbile-Yusuf.
Adebolu, a lawyer and former consultant with the Price WaterHouse Coppers (PwC) was the only commissioner fired from Governor Babajide Sanwoolu’s cabinet for what insiders described as “abysmal performance” after barely five months in office.
The new commissiiner, Akinbile-Yusuf, is coming at a time when Sanwoolu is seeking “the continued delivery of values to the government of Lagos and provision of service to millions of Lagosians.”
Promotion of Tourism and entertainment was one of the six key pillars that Governor Sanwoolu campaigned with under Project THEMES.
But not many would disagree that the four and half months under Shuli Adebolu was lacklustre and at variance with Sanwoolu’s desire to project Lagos as Africa’s entertainment and creative hub.
The Commissioner for Tourism Arts & Culture in Lagos State is akin to the chief marketing officer and culture custodian of the state with the onerous aim of promoting the cultural assets of the state as a destination of choice.
However, Akinbile-Yusuf is coming with a bag full of experience in politics and governance since she is not new to the political circle in Lagos state.
She contested for the House of Assembly, Alimosho Constituency I seat in 2011 but lost to Hon. Rahman Adebisi Yusuf before she was nominated to serve as Supervisory Councilor, Agriculture, Rural and Social Development in Agbado/Oke-Odo between 2012-2014.
From there, on 19th October 2015, she was appointed Commissioner in the Ministry of Youth and Social Development but was later redeployed to the Ministry of Wealth Creation and Employment both under the Akinwunmi Ambode administration.
A prominent politician within the Alimoso political powerhouse, she is said to be very vlose to Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, the Minister of Interior and to her brother-in-law, Abdulahi Enilolobo, who is an influential chieftain of the ruling party in Alimoso.
It was therefore not a surprise that the successful businesswoman and pharmacists who has a chain of filling stations across Lagos made Sanwoolu’s cabinet.
She had spent almost five months as the Home Affairs Commissioner where her impact was felt as a people-oriented person and a team player. It is believed that she will proceed with her fresh assignment at the Ministry of Tourism Arts & Culture with “due consultations and listening ears” as well as all the experiences she has garnered from the three other ministries where she served in the last four and half years.
Popularly called Moremi and born on May 25, 1974 Akinbile-Yusuf had her primary education at Ansar-Ud-Deen Primary School, Ile Ife between 1980-1986. On completion of her primary education, she gained admission into the Seventh Day Adventist Grammar school in Ile Ife between 1987-1992 after which she was later admitted to University of Lagos, Akoka, Lagos for her B. Pharm graduating in 2006.
This beautiful fashionista is the founder of a pharmaceutical company named Musarog Pharmaceuticals.
She also has petrol stations, Musarog Petroleum and Beta Silver Crown Ltd, amongst others.