Politics
APC Convention: Ex-Oyo LG Vice-chairman, ‘Socrates’ joins race for national secretary post
Former vice-chairman of Aare Latoosa Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Oyo state, Monsuru Adeyemo, better known as ‘Socrates’, has joined the race to emerge as the National Secretary of Nigeria’s ruling party, the All Progressives Congress, (APC), at the national convention scheduled for March 26.
The ex- students’ union leader, who made the declaration in a statement on Sunday in Ibadan, the Oyo state capital, noted that, as a young politician, his intention was not to incite the sentiment of age discrimination against the ‘older generation’, but to render, as usual, selfless service to the party, by fostering unity among party faithful and contribute his own quota to the progress of the APC, at all strata.
He, however, appealed to the governors elected on the platform of the APC, in the South-West zone and other critical stakeholders to micro zone the position to Oyo-State, stressing that such a key position would bring the pacesetter state back to progressive path, come 2023.
The statement further read, “As we all know, our great party, APC represents the greatest omen for genuine change in this country, and as a true progressive and patriot, who is strongly determined to render selfless service, at any stratum of our great party, APC, I, Monsuru ‘Tunde Adeyemo popularly known as ‘Socrates”, courageously, come forward, today, to make a bold step. I mean, to volunteer myself, to serve, as the National Secretary of our great party, APC. This is in the best interest of our great party, APC, advancement of our zone, Southwest and progress of our state, Oyo.
“As the motto of our great party, APC emphasizes it, if the mandate is given, I will ensure justice, build peace and foster unity among the party faithful, locally, regionally and nationally, even, beyond.
“If the mandate is given, I promise to contribute my own quota. Yes, under the general direction of our National Chairman, to efficiently, build on the numerous achievements that have been recorded by our founding fathers, and current Caretaker Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee(CECPC).
“Under the general direction of our National Chairman through my watch, if the mandate is given, the secretariat of our great party, APC, will be strengthened, more than ever before, to effectively, collaborate with all Chapters of APC, throughout, the Federal Republic of Nigeria and beyond.
“If the mandate is given, the secretariat under the general direction of our National Chairman through my watch, will not only work assiduously, to retain all the elective offices, in all tiers of government, won by our great party in the last elections but, also, the secretariat will passionately, mobilise enmass and strategically canvass electorates, to win more positions, at all levels and across the country.
“Under the general direction of our National Chairman through my watch, the secretariat will, precisely, prove and reprove it that APC is truly a great party built on the genuine concepts of progressivism- politics in favour of modern method, new idea and positive change.
“As a young politician, I am not in the race to incite the sentiment of age discrimination against the ‘older generation politicians’, but I am, boldly marching forward, to serve in this capacity, because as a foundation member of our great party, APC, I have always been at front line of rendering selfless service to our great party, fostering unity among party faithful and contributing my own quota to the progress of our great party, at all strata.
“As the “National Secretary’ office has been zoned to Southwest, I want to humbly appeal to all our critical stakeholders in Yorubaland to micro zone it to Oyo-State, as we need such a key position to bring the pacesetter state back to progressive path, come 2023.
“And if, peradventure, it is zoned to Oyo State, I want to, also, humbly, appeal to all our leaders and elders in Oyo-State to consider me as their consensus candidate for the office of the ‘National Secretary’ and I promise never to let you down, if the opportunity to serve is given.
“Without trying to sound immodest, as a former gallant student union leader, in the country, eloquent political communicator and active young politician, I am confident to say it categorically that I have all what it takes- ‘Competence, Capacity, Charisma, Doggedness and Valour’ – to productively serve in this capacity and I will definitely make you all proud, by His Grace”, the statement concluded.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State has criticized the alleged forceful conversion of public reading and learning facilities in Dugbe, Ibadan, into shopping malls and lock-up shops by the state government, describing the development as shameful, ill-conceived, and unacceptable.
In a statement released over the weekend by its Publicity Secretary, Olawale Sadare, and made available to journalists in Ibadan, the APC also raised concerns about the alleged sale of the modern motor park facility at Wema Area on New Ife Road, Ibadan, built during the administration of the late Senator Abiola Ajimobi.
According to the party, the motor park has been sold to a pastor who presides over a popular church near the facility.
Residents of Ibadan, the state capital, were reportedly stunned when they noticed the sudden erection of massive private business complexes within the premises of the Oyo State Library Board.
The facilities, built by the defunct Western Region government, had served as public libraries and archives for decades, benefitting students, researchers, and tourists until recently.
“It is a sad reality that the buildings which used to serve as public libraries and archives in Dugbe axis of Ibadan have now paved the way for the development of commercial and business structures,” Sadare said.
“The implication is that education and research development have been relegated to the background in the state by an administration that has done little to address the poor reading culture among young students.”
The APC expressed alarm over what it termed the erosion of public heritage under Governor Seyi Makinde’s administration, alleging that public properties are being sold or leased to private individuals and groups under questionable circumstances.
“How can a government wake up one day and convert public reading facilities and archives into lock-up shops in the name of making money, thereby subjecting society to the dangers of illiteracy and ignorance?” the statement queried.
The party also cited other instances of alleged mismanagement of public assets, including the concession of OYSADEP Guest House in Saki and Agbowo Shopping Complex in Ibadan, warning that the trend poses a serious threat to the state’s socio-economic development.
“Sad enough, the ignoble activities of the governor and a few other characters around him as they involve mismanagement of land and other resources belonging to the state have paved the way for a surge in land grabbing cases in most parts of the state capital. There are many cases involving appointees of the governor, PDP lawmakers, local government officials, and party chieftains,” the statement added.
The APC called on well-meaning individuals and stakeholders in the state to demand accountability from the Makinde administration and halt what it described as the systematic erosion of public resources and heritage.
Over 300 constituents of Akinyele/Lagelu Federal Constituency in Oyo State benefitted from a skill acquisition and empowerment programme organized by their representative in the National Assembly, Hon. Akinmoyede Olafisoye.
The event, held at Faith Joe Event Centre, Alegongo, Akobo, Ibadan, aimed to address the challenges of unemployment and economic hardship by equipping participants with practical skills and financial support.
The programme focused on empowering youths, students, and unemployed graduates to become self-reliant. Each participant was provided with a certificate, a Point of Sale (POS) terminal, an umbrella, and ₦100,000 as a startup grant to kickstart their businesses.
The tools and financial aid were designed to enable beneficiaries to establish sustainable sources of income.
Participants received comprehensive training, gaining hands-on experience to ensure they could effectively utilize the tools provided. The POS machines were configured with the personal details of the recipients, ensuring proper use and discouraging unauthorized transfers.
Addressing the participants, Akinmoyede who is the Chairman House Committee on Nigeria/ Mexico Parliamentary Friendship enjoined the beneficiaries to explore the opportunity for their benefit by ensuring that they use the machines for the purpose it was meant for.
He added that all the machines have been configured with the documents of individual beneficiaries which will make it very difficult to transfer to another person.
In his goodwill message, the Oyo Central Senatorial chairman of APC, Hon. Joshua Oyebamiji said comparing what the lawmaker has been doing in the area of dishing out empowerment and palliatives to his constituents, it is difficult to tag him a first-timer at the national assembly.
While appreciating Akinmoyede for his gesture at the event, former APC Deputy State Chairman, Alhaji Isiaka Alimi, Hon. Fatai Awoyoola, and Hon. Akinbode Emmanuel said they were yet to discover the magic wand being used by the lawmaker for his constant and habitual empowerment programmes.
Some of the beneficiaries who spoke at the end of the training, Afolabi Kuburat, Akinropo Akindotun, Ajala Abisade Iyabo, and Grace Anuoluwapo Ayinde lauded the lawmaker for giving them the opportunity to be self-reliant at this time when Nigerians are facing economic hardship.
The House of Representatives member representing Akinyele/Lagelu federal constituency Oyo State, Hon. Prince Akinmoyede Olafisoye Wasiu has initiated another skill acquisition and capacity-building training for no fewer than 300 members of his constituency.
The initiative which is being organized in partnership with Federal Cooperative College, Ibadan is part of a strategic effort by the lawmaker to foster rural development of cooperative for their economic emancipation and break the shackles of poverty so as to alleviate the impact of the high cost of living among the people in Akinyele/Lagelu federal constituency he represents.
The training programme is coming up on Monday 18th November, 2024 at Faith Joe Event Centre hall. Alegongo, Ibadan by 8.00am.
A statement issued by the Special Assistant on Media to the lawmaker, Alimi Abdullahi stated that the capacity-building is designed to equip participants with essential entrepreneurial skills with a view to building sustainable livelihoods and improve the quality of lives of the people of Akinyele/Lagelu federal constituency.
All the participants for the training are expected to be at the venue by 8am so as not to miss any part of the training.
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