OYO CENTRAL: Sen Yunus Akintunde Visits Olubadan, Appreciates Monarch’s Prayer, Support
OYO CENTRAL: Sen Yunus Akintunde Visits Olubadan, Appreciates Monarch’s Prayer, Support.
By Afeez Bello.
As part of his efforts to sustain harmonious relationship with traditional institution, engender quality representation and promote socioeconomic development in his Oyo Central Senatorial District, Dr Yunus Akintunde has, yesterday, July 14 paid homage to His Imperial Majesty, Oba Mahud Lekan Balogun, the Olubadan of Ibadanland, in his palace situated at Alarere Area, in Ibadan.
Speaking on behalf of the former Senator of the 4th Assembly, Oba Balogun, the Ekeerin Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Amidu Ajibade saluted Dr Akintunde’s resilience and described Oyo central senator as a kindhearted man of faith.”Prior to his emergence, I organized a meeting in my house in which all the Baales in Oluyole Local Government attended. They appreciated and rallied around him. Yunus is someone that is kind hearted. He knows what’s right because of his vast experience in politics. You are showing the capacity of becoming a Governor. Kabiyiesi said whatever you lay your hands upon, it will surely come to pass. You’ve our support”, Oba Ajibade assured.
In his remarks, Senator Akintunde hailed the royal father and said that,”Kabiesi! the whole of Your Imperial Majesty’s life has been of service to humanity. The outflow, by our perception, is higher than the inflow, that means you spent from reserves due to the fact that you take care of people.This is not my first time of coming here. I am not a visitor. 24 yrs ago we were the ones pasting the posters when our Kabiesi wanted to become a senator then. I was part of his team.
He continued,”I also greet our High Chief, Amidu Ajibade, who worked for us when I was planning to become a senator. We are here to report to you regarding Ibadan-Oyo-Ogbmoso road which the Ibadan-Oyo section has completed but needs rehabilitation while 52KM Oyo- Ogbomoso section of it has been supported by NNPC Tax Credit but not completed yet, and Ibadan–Ife–Ilesa road project in order to eradicate the inconveniences being experienced by Nigerians plying these roads. This is part of the reasons I am seeking for the support of Olubadan in order to revitalize these projects and ensure they are completed.
Sen. Akintunde stated that,”Kabiyesi is from Lagelu Local Government and His Majesty resides in Egbeda Local Government. both LGA’s fall within Oyo Central Senatorial District, so, we strongly count on you, Sir, and if we’re talking about first class Oba that is very influential, Olubadan comes first. May God spare his lives and may you live beyond our expectations.
“The palace of Alaafin, Orilegbon of Ile-Igbon, Bashorun who represents the Alaafin of today fall within my Senatorial District at the same time. The most significant thing is that Kabiesi was a senator and he has represented his people and served effectively. I need his wisdom, mentorship and direction. I need him to correct my errors and I have to be reporting back to him not only as Olubadan but as someone that has served in that capacity before. That’s why I decided that before I visit any Oba I have to visit His Majesty first. Traditional rulers are the interface between those of us representing the people. If I want to address the people of Ibadan today, if Olubadan ordered that people should not come, they will not show up, same as Alaafin in Oyo.
“There’s a part of the issue we normally have, the communal issue is always there and the best way to rectify it is meeting the people by using the window of traditional institution. It will complement my job. I have reported to him on Ibadan-Oyo-Ogbomoso and Ilorin road; Ibadan-Ife-Ilesha and Akure road. Kabiesi has graciously approved my report that whenever I need his support from the traditional council they would be readily available.
Speaking on the state of emergency on food security declared by the Federal Government under the watch of President Tinubu Tinubu, Dr Akintunde noted that,”it is not complex, and that’s why the President first addressed the issue of energy. If you don’t have energy security, it’s difficult to have food security. It’s very simple because you can’t ask people to produce and they can’t preserve their farm product. That’s why you see the issue of buy over, for instance, Cassava is not selling again, let’s mop up Garri from the market, let’s store it and release it when there is scarcity. That’s a way of addressing food security but it is complementary. You’ve to address energy, poverty by the time you’re addressing food security as well. So energy security and food security go together and I am sure that that’s why Mr. President first addressed the issue of energy and I want to advise further that the government should look towards providing subsidies on electricity especially on industrial and production sectors. It’s been done everywhere, in United Kingdom, for instance, if you’re producing and your consumption is 5000 per month the government will approach you and request to pay 3000 for you but not on domestic consumption but on industrial and commercial consumption.
In his response, Oba Balogun thanked Dr Akintunde for the visit and prayed for the lawmaker’s success.
While giving vote of thanks, APC Oyo Central Senatorial Chairman, Hon Oyebamiji Joshua Atiku, On behalf of Sen. Akintunde and All Progressives Congress(APC), said,”We appreciate our royal fathers for their kind hospitality and immense supports. We thank Your Imperial Majesty, Oba Lekan Balogun for your mentorship, patronship and prayers. May your reign continue to witness more development.
On Dr Akintunde’s entourage were Alhaji Abdul-Rosheed Yinka Folarin, Hon Abiola Ambali, Hon. Biliaminu Ogundele, Hon. Femi Akintunde, Alhaji Wasiu Koleoso, Hon Abdul-Rasaq AbdulGaneey(Mr GRA), Alhaji Waheed Olawale among others.
