ABIDEMI GBENGA OGUNKANMI: REDEFINING POLITICAL LEADERSHIP IN AYEDIRE
By Fatai Akanji
A Leader is incomplete or not fulfilled if he has not through his leadership achieved three things for his people. These three things are the Personal and Collective Development of his people, Purpose-Driven Commitment And Excellence in Service Delivery.
It is of no understatement that a leader who has not been able to achieve all of these three key things has not met the standards and might be deemed incompetent to hold a leadership position. But in the case of Abidemi Gbenga Ogunkanmi, the member representing Ayedire Constituency in the State of Osun House of Assembly, it is the case of pragmatic, people oriented, purpose driven, selflesss commitment to the development of humanity and prosperity of the community which he serves putting the state in the larger perspective.
Since his assumption of office on the 9th of June, 2019 and his eventual emergence as the Deputy Chief Whip of the 7th Osun Assembly, Ogunkanmi has remained focused, determined and goal getting to ensure that his official duties, keeping the interest of his constituents dear to heart as well as working for the continued success of the All Progressives Congress APC at home and in the larger spectrum; Osun West Senatorial District.
To have an interface with the people that brought him to power, one of the things did when he assumed office was to open a consistuency office employing a manager as well as a secretary receiving remuneration.
He also gave out 20 entrance forms to willing people into Technical college Iwo, with all fees paid for 3years. Also, an Inter Schools’ competition was organized among all the schools in Ayedire both public and private and the succesful students at each categories who will be awarded at the proposed town hall meeting thst coming up this month.
Let me emphasis on the 3 years scholarship for 20 students Technical college Iwo, he will spend more than a million naira on the scholarship, indeed he a great leader who value education, and ready to spend what it takes to scure quality education in his concituency.
Currently, Ogunkanmi is proposing a townhall meeting where all and sundry can relate with him and tell him where they think he can affect them positively. He also provided Flat screen television with financial supports for many people of Ayedire.
According to the lawmaker, all these are from salaries and other allowances as members of Osun Assembly do not collect Constituency project allowance. He also supports sports especially at the grassroots level. One of such is taking it upon himself to glorify a sister who did so well as an athlete and won a gold medal at an international competition by making sure she was presented to the members of the house of assembly as well as the Governor of Osun State.
There are have also been Jersey and financial supports for football teams, schools inter-house sports, on Saturday Counts (OTC) Football Club, of a well-known youth group in Ileogbo, was branded with new playing jerseys fulfilling the sub-section 4 of the first item in his manifesto, which sees to promotion of sports and encouragement of talents among our youths.
Hon. Ogunkanmi stresses that the gesture is just a starter in that line, as this will cut across every part of the consistuency soon.
In another news, the actualisation of items 6, 7 and 8 of the manifesto is in top gear as all is set and all that is needed has being put in place.
The Deputy Chief Whip, promises to live up to his people’s expectations, and that his office is opened to people that are willing to add value as he is available for pieces of advice and positive suggestions.
Of note is Hon. Ogunkanmi’s assistance to more than 10 students in Ayedire state Constituency in securing admission to Osun College of Health Technology, Ilesha, Osun State Polytechnic, Iree among others.
There is also the facilitation for 3 indigents of his constituency to enroll in the Nigeria police force alongside other sundry people empowerment and social intervention initiatives.
The parliamentarian played an expected role in making sure the Governor gave his consent to selfless service of Engr. Tj in reconstructing Ileogbo to Iwo road,a geture which efforts are in pipeline to lead to the rehabilitation of Ileogbo to Gbongan road as a compensation by the state government.
So far, the lawmaker has been able to attract to his people, numerous and far reaching projects as well as initiatives to better the lives of his constituents. It must be noted that lawmakers do not have the powers to execute projects but can only recommend and supervise what the executive does in the best interest of their people.
Despite this, Ogunkanmi since his days as private sector person to a council chair has remained a trailblazer, Leader per Excellence and a committed progressive to the core.
Indeed, the people of Ayedire should expect more from the pathfinder and dogged goal getter who has so far distinguished himself in the realm of local, state and national politics.
