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Oyo 2019: Why Senator Buhari is The Preferred Choice || By. Abdulwahab Adegoke
THE scramble for the number one man in Oyo state has started and a lot of contenders are throwing their hats into the ring for the contest. Though many are yet to declare their intention but already there are about 30 people in the race from the ruling All Progressives Congress, (APC), while PDP and other parties too have numbers of aspirants .
In a time like this, both pretenders and serious contenders will be moving round to convince people , pasting posters and seeking for people’s support, but one thing that is certain is that only one person will emerge and I wish the next governor is Distinguished Senator Abdulfatai Omotayo Buhari
My choice of Fatai Buhari as a preferred candidate and the most competent man to succeed Ajimobi is buoyed by the fact that he has demonstrated his genuine passion in serving the people. He has been tested and trusted and it won’t be out of place to entrust him with the number one position in the state because he will do well.
Apart from adequate representation and contributions on the floor of the house as a member of the the National Assembly, Buhari while at the lower chamber of the National Assembly set an unprecedented record of achievements in Nigeria politics through some of his activities which include: donation of cars for commercial purposes to 47 members of his constituency and organizations, payment of WAEC for students in all secondary schools in Ogbomoso South and Oriire Federal constituency, provision of loan facilities for petty traders and business women, donation of educational supports for students and Bursary award to students in tertiary institution, secure Federal Job for many members of his constituency and many others.
His tenure at the ministry of Water Resources where he served as Special Adviser to the Governor and Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy matter where he served as a commissioner also witnessed some level of improvement. As a commissioner, he ensure that payment of primary school teacher’s salary did not exceed 26th of every month, he made it possible by arranging with banks to release the fund for payment of salary as and when due and retrieve it as soon as the allocation from the Federal Government is released for the state. Many council chairmen, politicians and even technocrats will not forget his contribution to their success stories through prompt response to their demands and support for their council .
Fatai Buhari score card at the Senate in the last three years is another fantastic attestation to his credibility as a politicians who is passionate about his people and the growth of Nigeria at large. He is one of the 10 Senators with the highest numbers of motions and bills, his intellectual contributions to issues at the plenary are always apt and given adequate consideration. For instance, the motion on public debate for president, and governors will go a long way in reshaping the political development of Nigeria.
Another significant bill which is ongoing is that of Establishment of University of Agricultural Technology in Oke Ogun. The bill if sail through will hasten the development of the region and make Oyo state another food basket of the nation. He is also working on making Ikere Gorge dam to function to his capacity, rehabilitation of Oyo-Iseyin road, Okeho- Iseyin road and many others.
His two major empowerment programs are not only the best in term of numbers of items distributed but they were empowerment programs with the largest number of beneficiaries in the history of Nigeria. No fewer than 2,000 people benefited at each program; this asides the one he has been doing without making noise.
For instance , in November, the lawmaker paid WAEC Fees of about 6,000 pupils of secondary schools in his constituency, and also donated mini bus for Federation of Oyo State Student Union and built ICT centres in schools across the 13 local governments in Ogbomoso and Oke Ogun. He has facilitated trainings, skill acquisitions and financed over 3,000 artisans and school leavers and job seekers.
The lawmaker is humble and highly principled, he doesn’t underrates anybody. He is a man loved by the people and his humility and kindness was attested to by many traditional rulers, civil servants and many others. Governor Abiola Ajimobi, last month in Iseyin during the empowerment program held at NYSC camp said, “since I have been meeting people as a governor, I have never seen a humble man like Fatai Buhari, he is humble and hardworking”. The governor said further “it will not be out of place to say Senator Buhari is the best Senator Oyo state ever produced, I was once a senator too and I never did something like this while at the Senate “.
Ajimobi’s statement is an automatic endorsement for Senator Buhari gubernatorial ambition, APC chairman, Chief Akin Oke and other stakeholders who spoke at the program also joined Ajimobi in eulogizing and commending the efforts of Senator Buhari in alleviating the suffering of the masses and contributing to the development of the state, all these statements testify to the claim that the Ogbomoso born Senator is a competent person who will not betray the confidence reposed in him by the electorate .
During his visit to the APC secretariat in November 2017 to declare his intention, he was commended by the party echelon for his support for the party.
“Apart from his regular donations for the party he is also responsive to any request from us . It shows he is a party man and the party is enjoying him and I believe will enjoy him better if given the opportunity to serve in a higher position”, said one of the party chiefs in his comment .
Apart from his wealth of experience and entrepreneur background, the Senator is highly connected at the National level and he has a blueprint for the development of Oyo state. Part of his agenda include: qualitative education, good health care delivery, infrastructural development, youth empowerment, job creations, and many others.
I want to concluded by urging the people of Oyo state to always consider Senator Buhari as the next governor of the state/ He is a selfless leader, a defender of the masses who has demonstrated his genuine intention to move the state forward and an highly connected politician who will use his contacts and links both within and outside Nigeria to develop human capacity, hasten infrastructural development and promote unity and progress in Oyo state .
Abdulwahab Adegoke, writes from Saki, Oyo State.
Suspected kidnappers on Wednesday night shot a tomato farmer, Daniel Adesida, and abducted his wife during an attack on their residence along Oda Road in Akure, the Ondo State capital.
The incident reportedly occurred around 8:45 p.m., when the gunmen invaded the residence and attempted to whisk away the farmer’s wife.
Sources said Adesida sustained a gunshot injury to his right hand while trying to resist the attackers, who eventually escaped with his wife.
Confirming the incident, the Police Public Relations Officer of the Ondo State Command, Abayomi Jimoh, said police operatives swiftly responded after receiving a distress call.
According to him, officers mobilised to the scene, rescued the injured victim and ensured he received medical attention.
“Upon receiving the distress call, police operatives swiftly mobilised to the scene, ensured the injured victim was rescued and taken to the police clinic for medical attention, and secured the area,” Jimoh said.
He added that the Commissioner of Police in the state, Adebowale Lawal, had ordered an immediate manhunt for the fleeing suspects.
“The Commissioner of Police has ordered intensified patrols, bush combing operations and intelligence gathering within the affected area and adjoining communities with a view to apprehending the fleeing suspects,” he stated.
Jimoh assured residents that efforts were ongoing to rescue the abducted woman and bring the perpetrators to justice.
He also urged members of the public to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious movements or individuals to the nearest police station.
Three workers of a concrete block factory were on Friday morning abducted in the Olojuoro area of Oluyole Local Government Area, Oyo State.
The victims were said to be staff of a concrete block industry owned by Prince Jelili Oyetunde, located within the council area.
Sources told our correspondent that the workers — identified as Adekola Muidini Asanti, Yinka and Saheed — were kidnapped at gunpoint inside a nearby canteen where they had gone to take breakfast before resuming work for the day.
Speaking with journalists on Saturday, the factory owner, Prince Oyetunde, said Closed Circuit Television footage captured the moment the assailants carried out the abduction.
He alleged that the suspected abductors are Baale Alimi Yusuf, Tunde Lawal, Saheed Olawoyin, Ibrahim Shittu and Sule Adigun.
Oyetunde further alleged that one of the suspects carted away a bag belonging to the factory manager during the operation.
He added that both he and the suspected abductors were scheduled to appear before the Oyo State Anti-Land Grabbing Agency next Wednesday, March 4, over a related dispute.
The businessman disclosed that the incident had been reported to the police.
According to him, the Divisional Police Officer in charge of Sanyo Police Station confirmed that the abductors allegedly took the victims to the station and were instructed to release them.
He, however, lamented that the whereabouts of the workers had remained unknown since they reportedly left the station.
“We have visited police stations within Oluyole Local Government and made announcements on different radio stations, but as of this morning, their whereabouts remain unknown,” Oyetunde said.
The Nigeria Union of Journalists has been thrown into mourning following the death of seven journalists in a fatal road accident in Gombe State.
The journalists reportedly died on Monday while returning from the wedding ceremony of a colleague held in Kaltungo Local Government Area of the state.
Findings revealed that the accident occurred after a tyre burst on the bus conveying the journalists, leading to a loss of control and a fatal crash.
Confirming the incident, the Gombe State Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps, Samson Kaura, said seven persons died in the crash, while four others sustained varying degrees of injuries.
Kaura added that the injured victims were rescued from the scene and taken to medical facilities for treatment.
The Director-General, Government House Press and Media Affairs, Ismaila Misili, also confirmed the death toll, describing the incident as tragic and devastating to the state’s media community.
Reacting, the National President of the NUJ, Alhassan Yahya, in a statement, expressed deep sorrow over the deaths, describing the incident as a huge loss to the journalism profession in Gombe State and Nigeria at large.
Yahya said the deceased journalists were dedicated professionals who served the public with courage, integrity and professionalism.
“They were committed practitioners who served the public with courage, integrity and professionalism. Their loss has left an irreplaceable void in our noble profession,” he said.
The NUJ president also expressed the union’s solidarity with the families of the deceased and members of the Gombe State media community.
“We pray that Almighty God grants eternal rest to the souls of the departed and gives their loved ones the fortitude to bear this painful loss,” he added.
Yahya, speaking on behalf of the National Executive Council and journalists across the country, extended condolences to the Gombe State Council of the NUJ, as well as friends and colleagues of the victims.
He further said the tragic incident highlighted the need for improved road safety measures and responsible driving to prevent avoidable loss of lives, especially among journalists who frequently travel in the course of their duties.
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