Politics
Professor Afonja on the path of history
In the history of every great nation, there are always great people and in the history of great people, there are always exceptional few, those whose lives and action shape the destiny of the people, those who have an indomitable spirit to develop and contribute passionately to improve the people’s lives . Among such few is Professor Raphael Afonja.
Born in the 70s to the family of Dr. and Mrs Afonja of Adesiyan Compound, Isale Afon, Ogbomoso North Local Government Area of Oyo state.
When a man’s every faction leads to success, he becomes an enigma, a figure to be wondered at and an uncommon spectacle in a common world. The young Afonja, who grew up in Kaduna started his success story with a brilliant academic career at Hope Primary School before attending Barewa College, Zaria, and Unity School Ejigbo, Osun State.
Not done yet with his pursuit, Raphael Afonja attended the City University of New York, Long Island University, University of North Dakota, and Eastern New Mexico University where he obtained degrees in Computer Science (A.Sc.), Applied and Theoretical Physics (B.Sc.), Engineering Science (B.Sc., Mechanical), Environmental Science (M.Sc.), Information Science (Ph.D., coursework), Civil Engineering (Ph.D.), and he is currently pursuing a Master of Business Administration.
Afonja is a Registered Civil Engineer with the Council for the Regulation of Engineering, Nigeria (COREN), a member of American Society of Civil Engineers, a member of Nigeria Society of Engineers, ha Registered Environmental Professional with the National Registry of Environmental Professionals, a Certified Environmental Professional with the Academy Board of Certified Environmental Professional, and a Certified Environmental and Safety Compliance Officer.
Taking his destiny in his hands, he served as an infantryman/Water Treatment Specialist in the United States Army before becoming a Professor of Engineering at City University of New York. He also served as an Airman with the United States Air Force, where he managed and led the Engineering planning function team.
As a cerebral and highly respected scholar, his professional job experience include, Dean of Faculty at SOWELA Technical Community College, Senior Research Engineer and Consultant with City of Grand Forks, North Dakota. He also worked as a Research Scientist with City University of New York, a Visiting Professor at the University of North Dakota, then went on to lecture as a Professor at SOWELA Technical Community College. He was accepted as a Fulbright Scholar at Lagos State University and he has presented and published thirteen research papers while in academia.
The passion to serve and see real changes in the lives of his people inspired him to establish ICARE, a Nonprofit Organization in the US and Nigeria, whose mission focuses on Women Empowerment, Medical Outreach, Education, and Food Security. He is the Chairman of Gamut Engineering and Technology Services and aspired for Federal House of Representatives (Ogbomoso North/ Ogbomoso South/Orire Federal Constituency) in the last election under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Recently, the Executive Governor of Oyo state, Engr. Seyi Makinde appointed him as the state Commissioner for Works and Transport.
According to Afonja, his mission in life is to see a developed and secured Oyo State with good Social Welfare System for all citizens. As a farm owner, he believes building new and maintaining solid infrastructures in Oyo State will boost economy for all sectors, most especially stakeholders such as farmers. He believes that attracting investors and partnering with private industries for all sectors will also provide employment opportunities for the youths.
The Ogbomoso born-Professor of Engineering reiterated that his vision for Oyo state aligns with that of the state governor, Engineer Seyi Makinde,
Professor Raphael Afonja is happily married and blessed with children.
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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