‘LEKAN AFOLABI: A PROSPERITY ICON IN IFELODUN, BORIPE, ODO OTIN FEDERAL CONSTITUENCY.
By Abeegunde.
There is a popular saying in Nigeria that, “There is light at the end of tunnel”. This is apt with the experience of the good people of IBO federal constituency with the election of Hon. Olalekan Afolabi – a two term member of the state of Osun House of Assembly, who was elected into the House of Representatives during the last general election is indeed a blessing to our federal constituency. I can say without contradiction that, we never had it so good, this time we made the best choice.
Hon. Abdul Rasheed Olalekan Afolabi was sworn in as a Member of the 9th House of Representatives on the 11th of June 2019. A month after, he appointed close to 70 Aides (to dwarf the celebrated appointment made earlier by one of his colleague) to be working with him directly with effect from 1st August, 2019, since then, the appointed aides have been collecting their salaries non-stop for the last 5 months. This is unprecedented in the politics of our constituency for a man to take that large number off the streets at a go.
The prosperity icon in Ifelodun, Boripe, Odo-Otin Federal Constituency is the only federal lawmaker from Osun with the record of highest number of bills moved and sponsored within few months in the House.
The icon moved a motion on Rising Population without Corresponding Planning. The motion looks into how Nigeria population growing rapidly without corresponding growth in socio-economic development, and increasing population without corresponding increase in the means of subsistence; one that is capable of breeding poverty, diseases, unemployment and other social ills.
Hon.Afolabi not only move the motion on Rising Population without Corresponding Planning, he put machinery in motion and has trained several youths on different skills to eradicate poverty in his constituency.
Some of the initiatives so far include but not limited to;
Training of selected Youths on digital literacy and marketing skills in October, 2019.
Training of selected youths on tie and die, bead making and head tie in November, 2019
Training of selected youth and women on effect of biosafety in our farms in December, 2019
Training of selected youth and women on marketing tools and how to monitor business budget and several others initiatives that gear towards alleviating poverty in the land.
Also, Hon.Afolabi contributed robustly to the debate on Finance Bill and the 2020 Budget.
On health sector, Hon. Afolabi popularly called Asoju Rere moved motion on the floor of the House for the upgrading and rehabilitation of UCI Ibadan, Okuku Health Centre. This he did for the improved healthcare delivery to the people of his federal constituency. One thing that is very close the heart of this Ikirun born politician is the welfare of his people, who he has swore to protect and work for at all time.
On road infrastructure, he noted that the government of President Muhammadu Buhari prioritizes the transportation sector of the country and because of this, he moved a motion on the need to complete Ikirun – Eko Ende, Oree to Ogbomoso federal road, which will in turn ease the movement of people across the constituency to the neighbouring Oyo state.
The solution to Nigeria unemployment challenges lies in standard education curriculum. We have millions of youths that cannot be employed because they don’t have skills; the required skills, because they are not trained for skills, or lack of good education.
To nip this in the bud, Hon. Rasheed Afolabi sponsored a Bill for the Establishment of Federal College of Education Technical, in Ikirun.
He always ensures physical presence and contributions to all communities Days in Ifelodun/Boripe/Odo-Otin Federal Constituency from Iragbiji to Inisha, Oyan, Iree, Faaji, Iba among others. Ask anybody from IBO federal constituency and the consensus is that the people has got one of their own in the green chamber of National Assembly. While, I am using this opportunity to commend him, I urge him not to relent and to always serve our people to the best of his ability.
Indeed, Hon. Laken Afolabi, you’re a blessing and prosperity icon to the people of Ifelodun, Boripe, Odo-Otin Federal Constituency.
May God continuing to bless and strengthen you for the tasks ahead.
Abeegunde is the Deputy Coordinator, Progressives e-Group.
