Before he was appointed as commissioner in 2019 by Governor Seyi Makinde, Prof. Afonja was among the aspirants eyeing the Ogbomoso North/Ogbomoso South/Orire federal constituency seat in the house of representatives.

The PDP chieftain in Ogbomoso, in partnership with Baba Kuete, an On Air Personality at Parrot FM, Ogbomoso, distributed food items and cash to the disabled, widows, elderly, drivers and the needy.

Afonja informed that the gesture  was just a normal thing for him as he has always embarked on such even before he joined active politics.

”It is just a style of telling those who are well-to-do to also feel encouraged to assist people. If we don’t do, nobody would do it. We have got to assist our people. The harsh economy is biting harder. The little trades some of them are involved are gone. We just have to start somewhere. Nothing is too small.

”Forget the fact that I now reside outside the shores of this country, I grew up here. I know how people look to the festive periods like Eid-l-fitri, Eid-l-Kabir, Christmas, Easter and New Year. But for quite some time now, things haven’t been easy. In fact, those who have things to do are not encouraged because of the downturn. So, I felt we needed to put smiles on their faces,” he said.

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The state’s Commissioner for Public Works, Infrastructure and Transport, Prof. Raphael Afonja, who stated this while speaking shortly after the day’s meeting of the State Executive Council, said that shop owners who will be affected by demolitions at the different locations would be considered for shop allocations when the new terminal is ready.

He stated that the bus terminals, also to be known as transport interchanges, will not only address problems associated with transportation in Ibadan, the state capital, they will also address security issues.

A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Seyi Makinde, Mr. Taiwo Adisa, quoted the commissioner as saying that the four Ultra-Modern Bus Terminals would redefine the skyline of the State capital, enhance security and the quality of life in the transport sector.

According to him, the Bus Terminals would incorporate Restaurants, Shops, Automated Teller Machine (ATM) galleries and Café, among others.

Afonja said: “The State Executive Council today (Tuesday) approved the award of the contract for the construction of four ultra-modern bus terminals that will include galleries for Automated Teller Machines, restaurants and shops.

“The purpose is also to collapse the transport units into bus terminals, beautify the skyline and also for security purpose. As you can see, the terminals are strategically located.

“They will also help the operations of the big buses that will soon start operation in the state. The four terminals combine the major inter-state transport units and that is why we are focusing on them.

“The state government has also upgraded the Fire Department to an Agency.”

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The governor also ordered the immediate reduction of the daily levy to be paid by commercial cyclists from N200 to N100 per day.

The State’s Commissioner for Public Works, Infrastructure and Transport, Prof Raphael Afonja, who made the disclosure while addressing newsmen in Ibadan added that Governor Makinde does not want to add to the burden of the people of the state.

The Commissioner stated that in order to control crimes being associated with motorcyclists and the influx of commercial motorcyclists into Oyo State, the government will, in due course, issue Riders’ Card to all registered commercial motorcyclists in the state.

He noted that this will enable the government to differentiate registered commercial motorcyclists from criminal elements, who are using motorcycles to operate.

“We have concluded that, due to what happened in Lagos State, which has led to an influx of people moving from Lagos into Oyo State, there is a need to have Okada Riders’ Card to identify people coming into the state.

“So, in collaboration with the revenue collector for the state and FRSC and the unions, we will start this to gather information on those who are engaging in commercial or private cycling businesses in the state. This is possible through profiling. The security agencies are in need of these pieces of information”, he said.

Afonja explained that the Riders’ Cards would afford the government the opportunity to have a database of the riders across the state, saying: “So, this registration of motorcyclists through the Riders’ Cards will be a database for us to know who is who; who owns what; who they are, where they live and the rest. We will also add their BVN to know who they really are.

“Recently, you may have heard about snatching of bikes and robberies using motorcycles. That is why we are trying to make sure that all motorcycles in Oyo State are properly registered. We will ensure they do what is needful to make sure they obey the law.

The commissioner added that Governor Makinde ordered the immediate reduction of the daily levy charge on commercial motorcyclists and tricyclists in the state from N200 to N100 to ameliorate the suffering of the riders.

He said: “This press conference is being held in response to the recent pronouncement by the Ministry of Finance and the Oyo State Board of Internal Revenue regarding the state revenue that we have been collecting from tricycles and motorcycle riders in the state.

“From the information that was passed down to us by the Ministry of Finance and BIR, we were told that it was agreed upon that the consultant was to collect 200 Naira as a daily collection from these commercial bikers including tricycles and motorcycles.

“Upon escalating this issue to the governor, Engineer Seyi Makinde, we found out he was not in support of this increase in the revenue collection from N100 to N200. So, I want to apologise to the unions and other stakeholders who are affected by the increment.

“The governor has instructed me to pass this information on that his goal is to ensure that people’s money remain in their pockets to take care of their families. So, he has gracefully reduced this fee from N200 to N100.

“He also believes that this change will trickle down to the people who are in the markets and will help people and their families.

“In addition to that, we have met with those in the quarries to include the union people. They are excited, understanding that the fact that the governor has listening ears. The governor met with them physically. He understands their cry and he has assured them of his support.”

Professor Afonja added that the revenue collectors would be at every park from tomorrow morning [Friday], urging the commercial motorcyclists and tricyclists to cooperate with them.

“Moving forward, commercial motorcyclists and tricyclists will be paying 100 Naira to a revenue consultant daily and this will commence tomorrow morning (Friday)”

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The State Commissioner for Public Works and Infrastructure, Prof. Rapheal Afonja  on Monday hinted at his office in Ibadan.

Governor Seyi Makinde has recently said the administration was compiling list of non-performing contractors in the State as he lamented the agony being experienced by the people living in the affected areas where road construction works were ongoing.

According to  Afonja , “we have got complaints across the State about pace and quality of work done by these contractors, His Excellency the governor also inspects the pace of work during the day and even in the night, I can tell you now that soon, termination notice will soon be given to four non-performing contractors.

“Complaints have come across the State and when we came on board, we had to do a contract review and we realized that the quality of work done by some of these contractors were low, we also realized that most of the agreements have also relapsed and none of them had performance bond in their files, the performance bond is a way to tell a contractor that if you don’t do a good job, you will be penalized.

“So we gave them time, which is the past five months which was to see if they could impress the government, we gave them our standard, our requirements, some of them have not lived up to it while some have, so with the approval of the governor, the next step is to issue termination notice to some of them.”

Among the contracts inherited by the present administration and are still ongoing as at time of this report is the dualization of Idi-Ape-Basorun-Akobo-Odogbo Barracks road in Ibadan and dualization of saki township along Oke-Ogun Poly-Ilesha-Ibariba road in Saki.

Others are Eleyele Junction-Akufo-Ido-Eruwa road, reconstruction of Moniya-Iseyin road and Agodi-Gate-Old Ife Road, Adegbayi in Ibadan.

Meanwhile the State government has said that the introduction of a new Park Management system in the State was aimed to plug holes in the income of of the State and not for political reasons.

The Commissioner for Public Works and Infrastructure, Prof Raphael Afonja said this while answering questions from journalists who were at his office after the inauguration of Park Managers for public motor parks in the State on Monday.

The Commissioner asserted that the people of Oyo State were happy that leaks in the State’s income were plugged while individuals appointed would work with trusted consultancy firm to generate income for the State, using technology to monitor activities and accountability of all players while all funds generated would go into the State coffers.

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The State Commissioner for Works and Transport, Prof Raphael Afonja said this while on traffic study within Ibadan, the state capital on Wednesday alongside some law enforcement and traffic agencies where he hinted that the purpose of the tour was to meet with relevant stakeholders within the major highways whose daily activities directly or indirectly impacted on the traffic situation in the State in order to channel a good course on how to achieve a common goal.

“Ibadan metropolis has been faced with lots of bottle necks when it comes to traffic and we are here to do a traffic study, there is need for enforcement and sustainability of the enforcement.

“The people who are driving recklessly or engaging in double parking on our local roads will be apprehended and this will be followed with legal trial which might lead to seizure of their vehicles, we want free flow of traffic on our roads and we do not want people encroaching on the main road.

“But we need to take the sensitization to them first and as well provide the needed control mechanism, which is why we are planning on installing more traffic lights at these particular areas.”

According to him, areas that were prone to vehicular gridlock such as Felele and Challenge area would be installed with the traffic control equipment in order to further reduce the menace in such areas, adding that there would also be road markings in order to prevent encroachment from one lane to another as he described this as the major cause of many accidents on the major roads.

Afonja indicated that the sensitization which took place at different interchanges within Ibadan such as Bus-Stop Gate, Mokola, Dugbe, and Eleyele interchange would be followed by strict enforcement and sanctions.

He added that the enforcement was not meant to cause pain or hardship to anyone but to bring respite to road users and also improve the economy of the State.

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Prof. Afonja disclosed this while speaking with newsmen after an inspection of the Oyo-Iseyin road for a detailed assessment necessitated by the rising complaints from the public.

The Commissioner noted that  it was impossible for the State to fix the road because of paucity of funds,  saying that the federal government has declared that it has stopped reimbursing States for such purpose.

“We are currently working on the Moniya-Iseyin road which also needs prompt attention, on Iseyin-Oyo road, we have been monitoring public outcry on this road and the State does not have much financial muscle to embark on reconstruction of Oyo-Iseyin road now. Our concern is on Moniya-Iseyin road.

“The federal government recently announced that it was not refunding States that constructed federal roads, you know Oyo State had done that and we have not been refunded yet, so we cannot expend fund on that road.

“We can only work on having a more efforts on lobbying to attract federal government attention to the road among other federal roads in the State for maintenance and reconstruction,” he said.

He asserted  that the State government would open a channel of communication with the federal government to ensure that roads in Oyo State make the priority list of those the Federal Government intended to fix soon.

He added that the State would also reach out to the State representatives at the National Assembly to ensure that they guarantee that some of the federal roads that were death traps were added to the priority list of the federal government.

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The state  Commissioner for Works and Transport, Prof. Raphael Afonja, also disclosed that efforts were ongoing by the government to ease movement of people and goods in and outside the State to create a haven for investors and business interests as well as farmers to grow.

“The Seyi-Makinde led administration is keen on making sure that our roads are good and safe and that every necessary facility is in place when it comes to the safety of our roads.

“This administration shall not wait till people suffer before we take proactive steps to provide good governance especially in the area of public infrastructures. You are in the knowing about the way the governor revoked the contract on Iseyin-Moniya road and immediately invited the general public to bid on the new contract. That is how a responsive government works.”

He added that the Governor believed in the security of lives and properties of the people and that the progress of any society depended on infrastructures which made the Governor takes it seriously to make sure that the infrastructural development of the State is at the front line.

“Every road project, bridges, and anything rated infrastructure will be completed so as to make life conducive for everyone in the State, while lives and properties of the people are also secured”.

Afonja disclosed further that the present administration would engage local contractors in the execution of all State projects in order to build wealth in the State and also improve the economic condition of the people, saying that the priority of the Ministry of Works and Transport is to make sure that every project relating to public works, infrastructures and transportation had good quality.

“We will police every contractor to make sure that the quality of work done is not compromised.”

In his address to the Staff of the Ministry, the Commissioner, however charged each to play their roles so as to achieve effectiveness and productivity, adding that efforts were ongoing to make the working environment conducive for all and assuring them that the Ministry would transform from analog way of business transaction to digital, as new ideas, innovations and technology would be incorporated.

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The Ogbomoso-born Professor of Engineering said this on Thursday during an interview with Mega Icon Magazine in Ibadan, the state capital.

According to Afonja, he joined the political sphere of Nigeria having served the people in the United States in different capacities, and saw the need to come home and give back to his people.

He added that the passion to serve and see real changes in the lives of his people inspired him to aspire 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).

“I put in a lot of effort, sacrifices and  I was told to step down, of which I did with no regrets”.

Speaking further, the mitigation specialist, Afonja said, ” I believe I have served the people in the United States in different capacities, although I have gained a lot and the country has afforded me many opportunities. I saw the  need to come back to Nigeria and serve  my father land and give back to my people. I believe in service to humanity.

“When I visited back in 2007 , I saw the struggle that people were going through but at that moment I thought it was not the right time to come back home. I needed time and it should be a gradual process. I want to be very sure that it was  time to leave the States and come back to Nigeria. By the year 2016 after I lost my mother, I came home to bury my mother, and that was a turning point for me. I sensed that some of the people that came for the funeral were struggling, and when I visited our Community in Ogbomosho I got a firsthand of what poverty was like.

“That drew more of my empathy towards the people around me and  I saw the need to come home and give back, but I soon realized that I need a platform to do so. One of the things that came to mind was to partake in politics,  when it comes to  policy making and not just talking about things  but coming up with what I like to call actionable ideas, what can we do to help the people and that was why I started my non-profit organization – ICARE. Our organization focuses on women empowerment, food security, education, and medical outreach. I felt like those four major areas overlap in so many ways. Like I said earlier what motivated me is my empathy for the people”.

He continued, “I believe that government does not only create jobs,  especially when it comes to tackling  unemployment but  create the environment that allows businesses  and investors to thrive. Since I am now part of the system I can engage people effectively by creating avenues that will bring them some kind of relieve.  In the US I have worked at the Federal, State  and Local level, so I feel like with all of the experiences and skills that I have gathered over time, I can add value when given the opportunity to be part of the government.

” I am glad to be part of the executive government of our great state, and this will give me the opportunity to have an impact in line with the vision of our amiable governor, His Excellency, Engineer Oluwaseyi Makinde in taking the people of Oyo state out of poverty.

“I felt the need to serve and I just can sit back and be given people money all the time without looking at other platforms to reach the masses.

“Recently,  I  came up with this plan to build a cashew processing plant in Ogbomoso, and this plant from my business plan will bring about 1000 jobs for our people. One of the things I found out is that people coming from Vietnam and Indian  do come to buy our cashew nuts and the only time when people make money is that period when they harvest cashew, after the season is over, that will be the end of the opportunity for them to make money.

“If you go  to Vietnam or India you will  find their people working  all year round because they are the one processing it and selling it but  in our own case once the harvest is done that is  the end , so there are many things I have been working on even before I was nominated  for commissioner in Oyo  state, I have been thinking about ways through which  we can come with actionable ideas that will create jobs for our people.

“I am not a political jobber, I have my job as a professor, but I want to use my influence and wealth of experience to contribute to the development and growth of my fatherland”, the Commissioner nominee said.

Prof. Afonja, however promised to apply his intellect, expertise, skills, experience and energy towards achieving the vision of the Governor Seyi Makinde led administration.

The post Why I Joined Politics, Oyo Commissioner Designate, Afonja Explains first appeared on MegaIcon Magazine.

The post Why I Joined Politics, Oyo Commissioner Designate, Afonja Explains appeared first on MegaIcon Magazine.

Confirming this, a close source to Governor Makinde  who confided in our reporter also submitted: ” The last three commissioner nominees screened and confirmed by the State House of Assembly are also from Oyo state. Considering  the  formidable track record and CVs of our nominees, they are successful  individuals in their chosen careers, both  in the private and public sectors.  No doubt, they will assist the governor to deliver on all his promises”.

The governor had earlier sent the  names of the commissioner nominees to the State House of Assembly which was  read at the plenary by the Speaker, Hon. Adebo Ogundoyin on Monday.

Contained in a message sent to the State House of Assembly, the commissioner-nominees are Prof. Raphael Afonja, Alhaja Fausat Sanni and a 27 year old  Seun Fakorede.

Meanwhile, the Oyo State House of Assembly on Thursday  screened and unanimously confirmed the three additional commissioner-nominees.

While thanking Governor Makinde for the opportunity which they described as a call to serve the people of Oyo State, the designated commissioners promised to contribute their quota to the advancement of the state.

Though, the portfolio each commissioner would occupy remains unknown at this time, but the source  predicted that,  based on the nominees’ backgrounds, antecedents, educational and professional experiences, Prof Afonja is likely to be given charge of the Works and Transport Ministry, Alhaja Sanni  (Ministry of Women Affairs and  Fakorede (Ministry of Youth and Sports) respectively.

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