Author name: Quadril

Hon. Naheem Alani Oyewumi, popularly known as BALOO, has renewed his ambition to serve in the Osun State House of Assembly, positioning his years of grassroots mobilisation, community leadership and entrepreneurship as part of his credentials for public office.

 

Born on April 2, 1990, into the famous family of the late Chief Yusuf Oyedeji Oyewumi and the late Madam Silifatu Atoke Oyewumi of Ekundayo Compound, Ara, Egbedore Local Government Area of Osun State, Naheem has built a career spanning entrepreneurship, agriculture, student activism and grassroots politics.

 

His political aspiration comes against the backdrop of increasing calls for greater youth participation in Nigeria’s political process, particularly at the grassroots level.

 

Oyewumi began his education at Young Tajudeen Primary School, Ara, before proceeding to Seventh-Day Adventist Grammar School, Ede.

 

He later obtained a National Diploma in Surveying and Geo-Informatics from the Federal Polytechnic, Ede, before studying Urban and Regional Planning at Osun State University, where he obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in 2018.

 

Beyond his formal education, Naheem developed practical skills in Plaster of Paris (POP) installation and tiling, experience which later contributed to the establishment of BALOO P.O.P. and Building Industry.

 

According to him, the business has provided opportunities for more than 20 young people, with some of those trained eventually establishing businesses of their own.

 

His entrepreneurial activities also extend to agriculture through BALOO Agro and Building Enterprises, located along the Ara-Ejigbo-Osogbo axis.

 

The enterprise provides agricultural services, including the sale of agricultural chemicals and training for farmers, reflecting his interest in combining business development with grassroots economic empowerment.

 

Naheem’s involvement in leadership began during his student years.

 

At the Federal Polytechnic, Ede, he served on the Students’ Union Judicial Council and participated actively in the Students’ Union Government.

 

He later continued his involvement in student politics at Osun State University, where he sought to contribute to the development of the Urban and Regional Planning Students Association.

 

His leadership activities subsequently extended to the community, where he was elected President of the Ara Students Prosperity and Development Forum.

 

The position provided him with another platform to engage with issues concerning students and indigenes of Ara and further strengthened his interest in public service.

 

His entry into mainstream politics dates back to 2018, when he became involved in grassroots political mobilisation and later served as the Local Secretary of the Action Democratic Party.

 

In 2023, he contested for a seat in the Osun State House of Assembly on the platform of the Labour Party.

 

During the same election cycle, he also served as Coordinator of the Obidient Movement in Egbedore Local Government Area.

 

Although he did not secure the Assembly seat in the 2023 election, Naheem remained active in political and community engagements.

 

He has now sought a fresh opportunity under the platform of the African Democratic Congress, continuing his pursuit of a seat in the Osun State House of Assembly.

 

His political journey, which has moved from student unionism and community leadership to grassroots mobilisation and electoral contests, has become a major part of his argument for seeking legislative office.

 

With his experience in entrepreneurship, agriculture and community leadership, Oyewumi is seeking to present himself as a candidate capable of combining political representation with initiatives focused on youth development, skills acquisition and grassroots economic opportunities.

 

He is married to Olori Naimot Abimbola Oyewumi.