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Because of the free lifestyle of many young people who lived on Lagos Island in those days which often made them to derail, many people didn’t think much of Koro. But Koro struggled in life to make it to the very top of his career from been a Lagos LG boss, to Commissioner, to a Senator, Ambassador and now a Minister Musiliu Obanikoro was appointed and sworn in as Minister of State Federal Ministry of Defence by President Goodluck Jonathan in March 2014. He is a long standing member of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).
But not much is known about his pedigree, which has made him a role model for thousands of Youths in and around the Lagos Island where he grew up. Many of them see KORO as a good example of someone who struggled in life to make it to the top. This is because many of Koro’s agemates and classmates had dropped off school due to a lot of distractions. Musiliu Obanikoro, popularly known as “Koro”, was born in Lagos, Nigeria. He is from the Obanikoro (Ajayi – Bembe) family of Lagos, Idoluwole (Ojo LG) and the Eletu – Odibo (Oshobile) family of Lagos.
Koro lost his father, Yekini Onikoro, during his teenage years on November 25, 1976, and he was raised by his illiterate mother Ejide Onikoro. Having to fend for himself by hawking newspapers and Akpoti (stools) on the streets of Lagos, he successfully completed his primary and secondary school education at the St. Patrick Catholic school Idumagbo, Lagos and Ahmadiya College (currently Anwaru Islam), Agege, Lagos.
Immediately after secondary school, Koro worked briefly with the Lagos State Health Management Board before joining the Union Bank of Nigeria as a Clerical Officer. After a year and half, Koro gained admission into Texas Southern University (TSU) USA, where he obtained his Bachelor of Science Degree in Public Affairs (Concentration in Criminal Justice) and his Master’s Degree in Public Administration.
After TSU, Koro worked with the Houston Adult Probation Department for several years before joining the New York City Department of Social Services as a social worker at the Little flower Children Service Agency. After two years, he became the Head of the Adolescent Department. Koro has always had a passion for public service and the welfare of the general public. Realizing that his qualifications, passion, and energy would better serve his countrymen in Nigeria, he seized the opportunity introduced by then Military Head of State Gen. Ibrahim Babangida’s Transition program to return home. Upon his return, Koro entered the election for the office of Chairman, Lagos Island Government.
Koro was unsuccessful in his attempt; however his journey in public service and his contributions to the development of a better Nigeria had only just begun. Today, only very few practising politicians can beat Koro to it when you check out their profile. He has served both in Legislative and Executive arm of government and in an Ambassadorial capacity. Now he is a serving Minister.
His political career is as follows:
•Contested Chairman Lagos Island Local Government, 1990
•Won general election but was denied victory. His opponent was sworn-in as Chairman
•Challenged mandate in court successfully (judgment was not enforced or executed)
•Elected Lagos State Deputy Chairman National Republic Convention (NRC), 1992 – 1993
•Appointed Director, Lagos State Bulk Purchasing Corporation (LASBULK) by Gov. Micheal Otedola, 1992 – 1994
•Appointed Member, Lagos State Football Association, 1993 – 1995
•Elected Chairman, Lagos Island Local Government under Grassroots Democratic Movement (GDM) party, 1997 – 1998
·Won by largest margin in the state.
·Coined the nick name “Koro Ibo”
·Created salary accounts for LG employees (Prior to his tenure, LG employees received their salaries in cash)
•Built the police station in Jankara Market
•Upgraded and maintained high-class Onikan swimming pool (now defunct)
Appointed Lagos State Commissioner for Home Affairs and Culture by Governor Bola Tinubu, 1999 – 2003
Elected Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria representing Lagos Central under Alliance for Democracy (AD) Party, 2003 – 2007
·Marine & Transport
Switched Political Party from AD to the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), 2004
Elected PDP Gubernatorial Candidate for Lagos State Governorship election 2007
·Lost general election to Governor Babatunde Fashola (Action Congress, AC)
Appointed Nigerian Ambassador to Ghana by President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, 2008 – 2012
·Created and established Nigeria/Ghana Chamber of Commerce
·Built a state-of-the-art Embassy
·Facilitated mass entry of Nigerian businesses into Ghana
·Nigerian business investment and trade in Ghana grew from $600Million to $4Billion
·Significant improvement of bilateral relations between Ghana and Nigeria
·Played key role in Ghana presidential election in 2008, which to led to the emergence of minority party candidate John Ata Mills as President of Ghana
Appointed Chairman Industrial Training Fund (ITF) by President Goodluck Jonathan, 2013 – 2014.
Appointed Honourable Minister of State for Defence of the Federal Republic of Nigeria by President Goodluck Jonathan, 2014 – to Present
Koro is happily married to a pretty woman, Alhaja Omolola who is a successful Lagos businesswoman, and they are blessed with 4 lovely children: Babajide, Gbolahan, Monisola, and Olamiju, as well as 6 grandchildren.
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