Nothing can be truer than the saying that the reward for good work is more work. Reason why those who excel in small tasks are often rewarded with big ones and upon the success on those, the tasks or responsibilities become bigger and bigger. With their diligence and commitment, they attract more responsibilities, yet they succeed in all, which is why they are called achievers.
And that aptly describes the personae of Senator Abiodun Olujimi, who started from a humble beginning as a journalist, yet diligent enough to make the desired impacts in the society and with deep sense of commitment, climbed several steps, leaving indelible marks until she gets to the hallowed chamber as a Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Biodun Olujimi had her early education at our Lady of Apostles, Ibadan, Oyo State. She went ahead to obtain a Diploma in Journalism from the Nigerian Institute of Journalism. But she did not stop at that; in her quest for more knowledge, she preceded further to get a degree in Political Science and a postgraduate degree in Public Relations and Marketing from the University of Abuja. She also holds a certificate in IT with emphasis on web Development from the Michigan State University.
Born to a photographer father and seamstress mother on the 25th of December, 1958, from Omuo-Ekiti in Ekiti East Local Government Area of Ekiti State, Olujimi came up the hard way, out of a hard-working lower class family in a Nigeria that did not create opportunities for kids like her. Little wonder she has made it her life’s task fighting for lower class families.
This fight started while working as a broadcaster and journalist, Biodun, as she is fondly called by her friends and associates, was able to relate with a multitude of families on issues that have hindered their progress. These issues range from basic healthcare to security. Today, as much as Nigeria has grown in leaps and bounds, Biodun realises that the “fight” continues.
Her story is that of rising from grass to grace; she worked hard to get to the top. Biodun got her first job at the young age of fourteen, as a shop assistant in a fabric shop in Lagos. She started saving to return to school as well as assist her parents with the school bills for seven siblings. This meant that Biodun worked at different times with the Nigerian Tribune, Nigerian Posts and Telecommunication, Nigerian Television Authority, the Delta Steel Company, Ovwian Aladja, Reflex Concept and DBN Television.
Biodun Olujimi began her political career in 1997 as the National Publicity Secretary of the now defunct National Centre Party of Nigeria (NCPN). Upon the dissolution of NCPN, Biodun joined the All Peoples Congress and eventually became the National Publicity Secretary.
She later joined the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in 2002 and has attained great heights in her political career. She was appointed Special Assistant to the Executive Governor of Ekiti State in 2003 and was later elected to the Federal House of Assembly. In 2005, she became the Deputy Governor of Ekiti State under Governor Ayo Fayose. Following from this Mrs. Olujimi became Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure in Ekiti State under Governor Segun Oni as well as Director of Women Affairs, Goodluck-Sambo Campaign Organisation at the 2011 General Election.
Mrs. Biodun Christine Olujimi, was nominated onto the Board of the Nigerian Communications Commission by President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan in late 2011, where she meritoriously served the nation, using her knowledge and experience in advising the leading telecom regulatory body in Africa. She is widely credited for the original thinking, political courage, and relentless persistence in her drive to ensure governance is cascaded to the grass-root.
Biodun and her husband Chief Ariyo Olujimi, have been married for 32 years and their marriage is blessed with children and grand-children. In the 2015 elections, she contested for the Ekiti South Senatorial District and won under the platform of the PDP.
Though currently a Senator, Olujimi remains an icon of the Nigerian telecommunications industry; her dedication to the telecom sector and the ICT industry in general as board member of the NCC whilst the board lasted, did not go unnoticed. Unassuming and very approachable, if we have more of people like Senator Olujimi overseeing the ICT industry, it could go a long way in achieving the growth and penetration the citizenry desire and crave for.