When Adeleke Took Osun West Senatorial District By Storm
By Olumide Lawal
Ede, the country home of Senator Isiaka Adeleke, the First Executive Governor of Osun State, was on Sunday, June 26, 2016 turned to a ‘Mecca’ of sort. The ancient city became the political hot spot of Osun State, as politicians of note, party faithful in Osun All Progressive Congress came in their hundreds to partake of Adeleke’s 2016 empowerment programme for the people of Osun West Senatorial District.
The flamboyant and charismatic politician was at hand, warmly to receive guests, low and mighty, all of whom he accorded recognition. A situation, that made all of them feel a sense of belonging. It was indeed a payback day for the Senator, because not only did the programme enjoy massive turn-out from the people of Osun West Senatorial District, well –wishers as well came from Osun Central and Osun East Senatorial Districts to partake of Adeleke moment of glory.
Just as it was in 2011, when he lost the Senatorial election to Mudashiru Hussein and he magnanimously threw his doors open to distribute materials to his constituents, to the surprise of many people, so it was in 2016. He is the first Senator in Osun ever to embark on massive empowerment programme to improve the living conditions of the members of the public from Osun West District.
The APC family in Osun in its entirety, able led by Prince Gbenga Famodun, State Chairman were there in solidarity with Senator Adeleke, who moved by the show of solidarity moved from tent to tent to throw banters and exchange of greeting with the eminent personalities Dr. Peter Babalola, Mr Ayo Afolabi, Hon. Wale Afolabi, the Speaker Osun House of Assembly Najeem Salam and the Secretary to The State Government, Alh. Moshood Adeotu,.
The programme commenced with the senatorial meeting of Osun West District, where members renewed their pledge for the APC in Osun, to wax stronger and grow in leaps and bounds. Various speakers called on those with the means to extend hands of fellowship to the less privileged in the society, with a view to taking some burden off the neck of the government. They all commended the effort of Adeleke for always being there for his people since his days as governor. Adeleke, whom they referred to as a super-senator, was also described by some top-notch of APC in Osun State, as a crowd puller any day, but who will never lose his cool, but remains humble and dedicated to Almighty Allah, his Creator. At a point during the ceremony, while waiting for the State Governor to come, who in anyway kept the enthusiastic audience waiting for hours, cultural displays took place to kill boredom and it was a spectacular display by the different cultural group, as Fadeyi Oloro gave his best to entertain the guests.
On display for distribution were motorcycles, sewing machine, two 18 seater buses, deep freezers and other working tools. They were given out, to carefully chosen APC members in the district by a committee saddled with the responsibility. Before the items were given away, Adeleke gave a re-assuring message of hope to all. He said, it is in his blood veins to relate to the less-priviledged members of the society since his school days. According to him, those who are blessed and have extra, should not wait a second further to assist those in need, affirming that we brought nothing to this world and we would leave without anything.
He urged his constituents to be self-reliant and embrace entrepreneurship, to lift them up to self-sufficiency.
Adeleke said, in his magnanimous style, he would continue to identify with the yearnings and aspiration of his constituents who feel more, the pinch of the harsh economic downturn in the country. He is optimistic, that sooner than later, there will be light at the end of the tunnel. He called on the people of Osun State in general, to give unalloyed support to the various reform programmes of President Muhammed Buhari, whom he said meant well for the country.
Senator Adeleke used the occasion to appeal to APC members to guard their loins and prevent any divisive tendencies that could weaken their rank and file.
The Chairman of Senate Committee on Capital Market said, his two Bills on Criminal Justice and parole among others, are been vigourously pursued, while he would gear up efforts in the National Assembly through zonal intervention fund to improve on deplorable condition of some of the federal roads in the Osun West District. In addition to this, Senator Adeleke stressed, that motions will be moved, compelling the executive arm of the government to attend to some of the federal roads in the district as a matter for urgent attention.
Senator Adeleke promised the gathering, that more school leavers shall be afforded the opportunity of jobs within available vacancies at various federal agencies. He was however emphatic, that the jobs are just not there for the asking. He used the occasion to call for absolute religious tolerance among different faiths in the state, as they are all brothers and sister in a united family. Senator Adeleke, said more than ever before, is the time to embrace peace and concord in Osun State, so as to complement the efforts of Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola in moving the state forward. He promised, that the empowerment programme is in phases and that those who could not benefit now will be taken care of in subsequent exercises.
At a stage during the event, the escastic crowd went into dancing and singing, proclaiming Senator Adeleke as a grassroot politician of no mean repute, who continues to touch their lives positively without any string attached. They chorused: “Isiaka Adeleke continue with your good work, you started over twenty-three years ago without relenting. We are solidly for you. You are indeed The Erinlomo of Osun Politics”. A fanatical supporter of Isiaka Adeleke pointedly said “Serubawon, you are a politician with milk of human kindness in his your face”. Wont you come back and use your red biro?
– Lawal is Special Adviser (Media and Public Affairs) to Senator Adeleke
