By Adekunle Adegboyega
As political campaign activities begin to gather momentum ahead of the 2027 general elections, conversations across Lagelu Local Government are increasingly tilting in one direction. In markets, mosques, churches, and community meetings, one name continues to surface: Arc. Hassan Olawale Giwa. For many electorates in Lagelu, the yearning is not borne out of rhetoric, but out of a track record of service, humility, and consistent community engagement.
The foundation of that yearning lies in his humanitarian work. As the Founder of the Hassan Olawale Giwa (HOG) Foundation, Arc Giwa has built a reputation for putting people first, long before politics entered the conversation. The foundation has become a household name in Lagelu for its consistent intervention in education, health, youth empowerment, and support for vulnerable families.
In the area of education, he has distributed school bags and books to hundreds of students. Hundreds of beneficiaries have also had their school fees, WAEC, NECO and JAMB forms, and learning materials paid for. He believes that no child should drop out of school because of money. For parents struggling with economic hardship, the foundation has provided a bridge that many believed was impossible.
Beyond educational support, the foundation has organised free medical outreaches where residents have benefited from free health checks, eye tests, provision of glasses, and distribution of drugs. In communities where access to healthcare is a challenge, these outreaches have been described as lifesaving. During COVID-19, he distributed thousands of nose masks to protect residents. He also donated a generator to a general hospital to improve healthcare services.
Youth empowerment is another pillar where Arc Giwa’s impact is visible. Understanding that Lagelu has a large population of young people, the HOG Foundation has sponsored vocational training, ICT skill acquisition, and small business grants. Many beneficiaries are now self-employed tailors, barbers, caterers, and phone technicians who proudly attribute their start-up capital to the foundation.
The foundation has also supported women in trade and artisanship. Market women and widows have received cash grants and food palliatives during festive periods. For many, it was the first time they felt directly remembered by a leader without being asked for a voter’s card.
What sets Arc Giwa apart, however, is not just what he gives, but how he relates with the people. His relationship with traditional rulers across Lagelu is built on respect and consultation. He is a frequent guest at palaces, not only during festive periods but also to seek counsel and royal blessings before embarking on any community project.
Arc Giwa is a strong advocate of collaboration with Obas and Baales in Lagelu and across Ibadan because he understands the value of tradition and identifies with them. That approach has earned him the trust of the custodians of culture and has strengthened peace in many communities.
His relationship with religious leaders is equally strong. Both Christian and Muslim clerics in Lagelu speak of Arc Giwa as a bridge-builder. He identifies with them without discrimination.
Arc Hassan Giwa’s accessibility has also made him one of the most approachable public figures in Lagelu. Market leaders and community heads speak highly of him, and the feedback is consistent: he listens.
His love for youths is perhaps the most talked-about quality. Arc Giwa believes that the future of Lagelu rests on the capacity of its young people. He regularly mentors students, supports football tournaments, and sponsors school activities. To him, investing in a young person is investing in the entire community.
Many youths in Lagelu now see him as a role model who proves that success can be used to lift others. Through the HOG Foundation, he has created platforms for young people to learn digital skills, entrepreneurship, and leadership. The message he passes is simple: “No youth should be left behind.”
Politically, this grassroots connection is why electorates are yearning for him. They argue that Lagelu needs a representative who already understands the terrain, who has walked the streets, and who has solved problems without holding public office. They see in him a leader whose service predates ambition.
Electorates also point to his professional background as an architect as an added advantage. They believe his training gives him the capacity to think about infrastructure, urban planning, and sustainable development for Lagelu. From road networks to community halls and youth centres, they expect a leader who can translate vision into structure.
Ultimately, the yearning for Arc Hassan Olawale Giwa in Lagelu is about trust. It is about a man who has served quietly, built bridges across traditional, religious, and community lines, and empowered the next generation without fanfare. As 2027 approaches, many Lagelu electorates believe that the time has come to move him from the foundation to the frontline of governance.
For them, supporting Arc Giwa is not just about electing a candidate. It is about rewarding consistency, rewarding service, and choosing a leader who has already demonstrated what he can do with little, and who they believe can do far more with the mandate of the people. In Lagelu today, that hope is growing louder by the day.
