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 called on Governor Seyi Makinde to resign immediately, alleging that his recent remarks on state security exposed incompetence and an inability to lead.
Governor Makinde, speaking during his acceptance speech as the Presidential candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) in Ibadan on Saturday, lamented that he could do little to rescue abducted school children and residents in Oriire Local Government Area due to all security structures being under federal control.
Reacting, APC State Publicity Secretary, Olawale Sadare, described the governor’s comments as “the height of cluelessness, insincerity, and criminal ineptitude,” warning that such disclosures reflect a dangerous trend among parochial leaders.
Sadare said, “Engr. Seyi Makinde could not find any fault in the nation’s Constitution, yet he swore twice to protect lives and properties of Oyo people. He has long enjoyed the powers of his office, controlling resources and people without challenge, but now faces a serious test, exposing incompetence, cluelessness, and ego.”
He added, “Instead of addressing security challenges, Makinde is exploiting the situation to push a mirage he calls a presidential ambition in 2027. His insensitive comments once again reveal hypocrisy. It is time he quit the office of the governor, having admitted he lacks the capacity to secure the state.”
The APC also recalled that previous governors, including Alhaji Lam Adesina, Senator Rashidi Ladoja, Chief Adebayo Alao-Akala, and the late Sen. Abiola Ajimobi, operated under the same constitutional provisions without similar security failures. Sadare particularly praised Ajimobi for establishing a Security Trust Fund to ensure funding and stakeholder involvement in security, in contrast to the current administration.
“Makinde’s presidential ambition is dead on arrival. Our concern is the continued loss, deprivation, and mismanagement the people of Oyo may suffer in the remaining year of his tenure. The state deserves a team player, a sincere and humble governor — qualities Makinde has failed to demonstrate in seven years. He should apologise and step down,” Sadare concluded.
Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, on Saturday emerged as the presidential candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) for the 2027 general election following the conclusion of the party’s presidential nomination process.
Makinde emerged through consensus and affirmation by party delegates during the exercise, in what party leaders described as a demonstration of unity and confidence in his leadership ahead of the next general elections.
The governor was presented with his Certificate of Return by the National Chairman of the APM, Alhaji Yusuf Dantali, during a ceremony held in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, amid cheers from party faithful, delegates and supporters drawn from different parts of the country.
Speaking during the presentation, Dantali said Makinde possesses the leadership qualities, administrative experience and vision required to steer the country towards sustainable growth and national development.
He urged party members across the federation to close ranks and intensify grassroots mobilisation to ensure victory for the party in the 2027 presidential election.
The APM national chairman maintained that the party remained committed to presenting Nigerians with what he described as a credible alternative capable of addressing the country’s economic, security and governance challenges.
According to him, the emergence of Makinde as the party’s flag bearer marked the beginning of a new political movement aimed at restoring hope and strengthening democratic governance in the country.
In his acceptance speech, Governor Makinde expressed appreciation to the leadership of the party and delegates for the confidence reposed in him, pledging to work with stakeholders across political, ethnic and religious divides to advance the party’s vision for national transformation.
The governor assured party supporters of his commitment to inclusive leadership, promising to prioritise policies that would improve economic prosperity, strengthen institutions and enhance the welfare of Nigerians if elected.
Five key members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State have been appointed to the party’s campaign committee for the 2026 governorship re-election of Governor Abiodun Oyebanji in Ekiti State.
The Oyo APC leaders on the list include the party’s governorship candidate, Sharafadeen Abiodun Alli, former Senate leader Teslim Folarin, Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Sunday Dare, Zacch Adedeji, and Remi Oseni.
The list, signed by the party’s National Secretary, Sen. Ajibola Basiru, reflects the APC’s strategy of deploying experienced political figures with strong grassroots networks to ensure a successful re-election campaign in Ekiti.
“These appointments recognise their political experience and commitment to advancing the party’s agenda,” the source within the party said.
The APC committee is expected to coordinate campaign activities, voter engagement, and messaging, positioning the party for a strong showing in the 2026 governorship election.
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