Profile of Senator Ganiyu Olanrewaju Solomon
A graduate of Political Science from the University of Lagos (UNILAG), Senator Ganiyu Olarenwaju Solomon was born on December 19, 1959 to the family of Alhaji Rafiu Ishola and Alhaja Idiat Abike Solomon (Nee Oluwa).
A quintessential chip off the old block, his father, Alhaji Rafiu Ishola Solomon, had wielded considerable influence in Lagos politics being a politician whose career spanned the pre independence era to the late 80’s. The late politician, who cut his political teeth in Ikorodu area of the state as a councilor in the 40s, later grew stronger to become one of the few shot callers in the state’s body polity.
Solomon would later take after his father, both in business and politics. He joined the family property and general merchandising business before venturing into politics. He commenced his life of service to his people when he was appointed a member of the Mushin Local Government Education Authority in the early 90’s. He also particularly prides himself on his membership of the implementation Committee on War Against Indiscipline and Corruption also in the early 90’s.
His first entry into politics was during the transition programme of late General Sani Abacha in 1997 when he contested election into the Lagos State House of Assembly to represent Mushin 2 on the platform of Democratic Party of Nigeria (DPN) and won in a landslide victory. Unfortunately like we all know that era was short lived.
Upon the nation’s return to democracy in 1999, Solomon aligned with the progressives who had formed Alliance for Democracy (AD) in the South-west region of the country. As a pioneer member of the party, he contested and won election as Chairman of Mushin Local Government Area of Lagos State where he displayed quality delivery of good governance at the grassroots level.
By 2003, following his outstanding performance his people encouraged him to moved up the ladder and he contested election into the House of Representatives where he represented Mushin 1 Federal Constituency for Four years.
Again, by the following election year, 2007 to be precise, Solomon graduated to the Senate where he represented the largest district in Lagos State and indeed Nigeria-Lagos West (with 12 districts). He had barely settled down in the Senate, when he was handed the responsibility of overseeing the Senate Committee on Capital Market. This responsibility, though huge, had brought to fore, the ingenuity and intelligence of the lawmaker, who despite the many crises that plagued the market, came out untainted.
In the run-up to the April 2011 elections, Solomon was unopposed in his bid to seek re-election in his party, the Action Congress of Nigeria. Factors responsible for this were not far-fetched. He had upped the status of his party as well as improved his rating as an individual. He was, unsurprisingly reelected on 9 April, 2011 and is presently the Senate Minority Whip, another responsibility he has discharged creditably for the minority parties in the Senate.
His legislative agenda and interests include, Poverty alleviation, Social Security, Education, Employment Generation, Security and Providing Legislative Framework for meeting the MDG’S.
Solomon has continued to sustain the philanthropic legacies of his late father through his GOS Foundation. The Foundation has over the years provided assistance in skills acquisition, educational development, micro-credit, health care and poverty alleviation to Lagosians irrespective of political leanings.
A devout Muslim, humanitarian, and philanthropist, Solomon has received several awards, both home and abroad on account of his contributions to the nation and humanity.
He is married to Mrs. Aderonke Solomon and their union is blessed with children.
According to he boss of Lagos Comedy News, Sen. GOS is very humble, down-to-earth and very responsible man.
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