Spotlighting Political Aspirants on ABS: Barr. Kasimu Otono, Etsako Federal Constituency HoR Hopeful

 

KNOW YOUR CANDIDATE (KYC)

Today on AUCHI BLOG’s KYC, we are featuring Barr. Kasimu Otono (LL.B, BL). If you are not seated already, please do so as we take you on a ride through the genesis to the revelation of this progeny of Afenmai.

 

Compiled and written by

Enaholo J.K. the Community’s Eye

+2348069055018

auchiblog@gmail.com

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 BACKGROUND

Barrister Kasimu Otono is a legal practitioner, philanthropist and real estate entrepreneur who hails from Idegun-Anwain in ward 8 of Etsako West Local Government Area of Edo State. Born on the 10th day of January 1979, Kasimu grew up in Auchi where he kicked off his the academic journey in life.

He is the son of late Alhaji Chief Sadiku Otono from Idegun-Anwain and Mrs. Felicia Otono of the Okpere family in Uromi (Esan North-East Local Government Area) of Edo State. The father, Chief Sadiku was a hard working farmer, a versatile Oil Marketer and Electronic Dealer who was best known as Radio Doctor because of his proficiency in the repairs of radio sets amongst other electronic gadgets. Chief Sadiku was so versatile in the world of business that popular music artistes from all over Edo state needed him in order to get their art out into the market during the early 80s to the late 90s before venturing into Oil Marketing in 1989 where he was the dealer of Texaco in Auchi and later owned his independent oil marketing firm called FUTONO OIL in 1998.

Barr. Kasimu grew up under the strong tutelage of his father who would always take him and his siblings to the farm despite his status as a well to do man. Through this regular exercise even up to the university level, Kasimu had become accustomed to hard work and philanthropy because of the work put into cultivating crops and his father’s attitude of giving to the poor unconditionally.

Growing up in Auchi did not take Kasimu away from his roots as an Idegun-Anwain man. His father made sure the entire family always visited home, meet and identify with the people of his heritage as well as learn the customs and traditions of Idegun-Anwain. Empathy was the watchword of the family and Late Chief Sadiku ensured that whilst he drew breath, his family cared for all without discrimination.

Kasimu’s father was also a prolific politician who used his good nature to gain a lot of followership. As an opinion leader who amongst others woke the people of Anwain into political awareness and today, even though the community is yet to fully benefit from the dividends of democracy through the creation of good roads and provision of electricity, it is for a fact that winning votes are always gotten therein.

ACADEMIC JOURNEY

The young legal luminary kicked off his academic journey at Auchi Polytechnic Staff Primary School Auchi in the year 1985 where he exhibited extraordinary ingenuity that earned him an early 1st leaving school certificate in 1989. His post-primary education was done at the Command Secondary School in Kaduna state from the year 1990 to1995. Here again, his gifted mind which was in sync with his hands pulled him through. In 1996, Kasimu returned home to study Business Administration in Auchi Polytechnic but had to leave in 1997 having gotten admission into the prestigious Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma to study Law. In a span of 6 years, he obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Law (LL.B) in 2002. Having completed his undergraduate pedagogy from AAU Ekpoma, he moved to the Nigerian Law School, Lagos Campus in 2003 before being called to Bar in 2004. From 2004 to 2005 Kasimu served as a Corps member in the National Youth Service Corps scheme where he was drafted to the Ministry of Justice in Jalingo, Taraba state.

 WORK HISTORY

As a young graduate who just served in the NYSC scheme, Kasimu wanted a taste of what it felt like to start from the scratch instead of simply seeking for an established law firm to start practice from. This he achieved when in 2006 he together with some friends set up a Partnership Firm called The Lawmark where he was as Associate Counsel. This quickly grew his experience and practice in the law profession until the year 2008 when he became a Partner at The Lawminners (Barristers & Solicitors) till 2020 before setting up Kay & Kay Legal in 2021 where he currently practices as a senior Partner.

 Kasimu’s Practice Area includes Corporate Law, Litigation, Conveyancing, Real Estate, Arbitration, Company Law and Immigration Law.

 

 

MARRIAGE

In 2009, Kasimu met Winifred at the wedding ceremony of his friend _Sir Hassan Abiri. From here a relationship was nurtured and this metamorphosed into the eventual nuptial union of Kasimu and Winifred in 2013 as man and wife and 9 years on, the marriage is waxing stronger with 2 kids.

  PHILANTHROPY

Barr. Kasimu Otono is heavily influenced by the father’s grooming. While growing up, he had a father in Alhaji Chief Sadiku who would go out of his way to ensure that neighbors had food on their table. His father did a lot for his immediate, extended family, neighbors and community. Today, Kasimu seem to have worn the kingly crown of philanthropy. He is heavily involved in volunteer works and charitable acts in view of alleviating the suffering of people around him. Kasimu dreams of a society where man is truly independent by being able to afford certain basic needs. The striking part about his magnanimity however is the fact that he does not want such activities of his that make life easier for the poor televised because he believes in dignity even for the poor.

“Anything I have, I can share with people as long as there is a need for it. That’s how I’ve been and it’s really not a big deal.” He says.

 

WHY POLITICS?

Kasimu’s engagement in politics is inspired by the simple fact that most good natured people who truly mean well for the socio-economic growth of the society are not actively involved due to apathy for politics as some call it a dirty game. He would ask, “if politics which happens to be the most powerful platform for development is a dirty game, when will it become a clean game when those who have the potential for positive change are shying away?”

He believes that as far as those who have the capacity to work are missing the opportunity to take the baton of development from those who are only involved for selfish personal gains, the society shall perpetually retrogress and people will barely survive as things go from bad to worse.

“My mission as a Legislator/Federal Law Maker is clear; to liberate the people of Etsako Federal Constituency and give them hope for the better days they truly deserve.” He says. Kasimu is of the opinion that the business of purposeful leadership is not rocket science. For example, when asked what he would do first in view of helping to improve the economy of the people of Etsako if given the opportunity, he says he will move motions and sponsors bills into laws that will enable the Executive facilitate creation of requisite infrastructure for the steady supply of electricity as electricity is the power for immediate catapulting of any economy from zero to lofty heights. “Ensure that there’s reasonable availability of power supply and watch how business will thrive amidst new ones sprouting up as a result. Certain areas of the economy need not too much work to get them running automatically. Small and Medium Businesses need light. Once that is provided, you will be marveled at how quickly youths will get engaged in doing one profitable business or the other to the point of giving back to society in ways that will further empower those who empowerment had not reached.”  He posited.

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Kasimu is passionate about constant provision of electricity but pained that decades upon decades on, electricity which is one of the most basic needs of man is still a luxury in Etsako Federal Constituency. He believes that Purposeful leadership should ensure that people are able to run their businesses at less cost by ensuring that there is light to prevent the unnecessary over dependence on fossil fuel which on the one hand is unhealthy and unsustainable and on the other has greatly influenced the incessant spate of inflation in the entire country.

“There are finances for constituency projects. These funds are meant for the development of infrastructure necessary for development. Ordinarily things should become better if these funds are properly channeled but the reverse is the case. As a young person, I want to ensure that this politics of self advancement is jettisoned for politics of all inclusive governance by ensuring that all the wards, communities and so on are touched with developmental projects that will illuminate our people and places.

 I see myself as a bridge between the young and the aged. Being a youth offers the opportunity for the younger generations to reach out to me with useful criticisms while the aged can hold me accountable or offer useful guidance because I’m positive that together we can all do better for the society.”

He states that enabling laws that will kick into motion developmental projects would quickly develop Etsako geometrically and hammers on the issue of capacity building for the youths. Kasimu knows too well that no society develops beyond the capacity of its people and is emphatic on the need to ensure that platforms necessary for capacity development are not only created through the empowerment of enacted enabling laws but more so, such platforms are given the needed resources (human and material) to thrive.

The young barrister believes that aside enacting laws, his youthful energy will be directed at negotiating with appropriate authorities to bring about the needed development and is positive that 4 years is enough to make tangible impact and is calling on the good people of Etsako Federal Constituency to jettison politics of stomach infrastructure and throw their weight in for him by supporting, nominating and voting him under the canopy of the All Progressive Congress as a Representative whose aim is simple; to liberate the people and give hope of truly better days.

Once given the chance, Barr. Kasimu Otono believes he will be rewarded with another term because the reward for a job well done is more work.

 

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