Fianna Fáil’s Nigerian local election candidate in Mulhuddart got a boost at his official campaign launch last weekend – thanks to the Minister for Finance.
Addressing guests at the event in the constituency’s area of Clonee, Minister Brian Lenihan – Fianna Fáil TD for Dublin West – called on supporters to give Idowu Olafimihan their No 1 vote in the local elections on Friday 5 June.
Olafimihan used the occasion to highlight his priorities should he be elected Coun-cillor. He has promised to work consistently to encourage immigrants to integrate in Ireland as a way of building a stronger society.
“One of the areas in which engagement can happen is the political process. Everyone lawfully resident in Ireland, of whatever nationality, can vote in the local elections,” he told Metro Éireann.
“Giving a person a vote increases their stake in the community, increases their sense of responsibility for their fellows and gives a sense of belonging.”
On why he decided to run for election, Olafimihan – who is battling for votes against two other Nigerian candidates in Mulhuddart, Fine Gael’s Adeola Ogunsina and independent candidate Ignatius Okafor – said his quest for public office comes from his burning desire “to contribute more to Irish society, and I wish to encourage others in a similar situation to do so.”
He continued: “My family, friends and associates, in helping me to seek public office, have had to engage in the wider community much more than they ever have before.”
Olafimihan said he believes this development is a positive one which needs to be celebrated. “This country needs positive developments to overcome the problems it faces.”
The Fianna Fáil candidate added that his in-depth knowledge of the problems facing the Mulhuddart constituency would also help him in finding solutions for them.
In addition, he has vowed to work hard to ensure that more schools are provided in the area, so that every local child may secure a place at the right time.
As a businessman with interests in retail security, Olafimihan said he would work to stop the increasing anti-social behaviour in the community by lobbying for the installation of Garda CCTV cameras throughout Dublin 15.
