By; OYEWALE OYELOLA
Destiny can never be changed, it can only be delayed! That’s the reality of the member representing Ekiti/Irepodun/Isin/and Oke-Ero federal constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon Raheem Olawuyi Ajuloopin. He is indeed fortunate and a blessed man with his rising profile in the green chamber within five years.
It is hard to believe that the successful business mogul turned politician is now a third term lawmaker just within the space of five years. It looks strange, but Almighty God in His infinite mercy decided to compensate him for lost years. Lost years? Yes, it’s lost years in service to the good people of Ekiti/Irepodun/Isin/and Oke-Ero federal constituency in Kwara State. Ajuloopin has been seeking opportunity to represent his people since 1999.
Although, I may not be close to him for some reasons but I’ve been familiar with his political activities since inception. I got to know him while staying with my Uncle in Iyana-Apaja, Lagos through the late Omu-aran Philanthropist, Tejumola Abolarinwa (Tejumola Onirin). The late Business Mogul provided necessary support for Ajuloopin to emerge winner during the 1999 general elections but he couldn’t make it to the green chamber.
It’s therefore not surprising when he started taking gaint steps to deliver dividends of democracy across the four local government areas in his constituency after winning bye-election in 2018.
For the records, the victory of Hon Raheem Olawuyi during November 17, 2018 bye-election represents a watershed in Kwara”s political history. His victory energized and gave OTOGE movement gladiators courage to work assiduously for victory during the 2019 general elections. The All Progressives Congress, APC, defeated Senator Bukola Saraki led Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, by clearing all elective positions (35-0).
The 58 year-old lawmaker who is now the Chairman, House Committee on Emergency and Disaster Preparedness, has delivered quality representation by dutifully carrying out his legislative functions to the benefit of his constituents.
The Lawmaker’s unprecedented achievements could be attributed to his preparation, planning and political will to deliver.
Fortunately, I graced the inauguration of the Constituency Central Working Committee (CCWC) to serve as bridge between him and the constituents.
The progressive minded lawmaker, while inaugurating the committee in July 2019 expressed his resolve to fulfill campaign promises by harvesting feedback from the grassroot. He stuck to that promise.
Hon Olawuyi while inaugurating the 42-member committee said the CCWC aims at reinforcing the firm resolve to deliver key components of his legislative agenda.
He explained that the committee will serve as Think-Tank to collate feedbacks and engage with stakeholders including community leaders, contractors and other groups.
His words: ”This Committee has three mandates; scrutiny, synthesis and synergy of ideas, programmes, projects and projections for Ekiti/Irepodun/Isin/Oke-ero Federal Constituency. I will be counting on you to work in concert with Liaison Officers, Elders, Leaders and other stakeholders in the Constituency to achieve all we have set out in our action plan.”
No wonder, Ajuloopin has been able to spread to every ward and local government area in his Federal constituency. He has introduced bills to attract development, create job opportunities and ensure federal government presence in his constituency.
The APC lawmaker sponsored the Federal College of Education, Omu-Aran Kwara State (Establishment) Bill (Irepodun local government) which was passed by both House of Representatives and Senate during the 9th National Assembly. He also sponsored bills for establishment of the Food Processing and Preservation Center, Osi Ekiti (Ekiti local government) and School of Midwifery Ayedun (Oke-ero local government).
Ajuloopin has implemented many impactful projects and programmes in education, health, agriculture, human capital development and social welfare to improve well being of his people.
Apart from that, he provided sustainable empowerment for Youths through AJULOOPIN DIGITAL EMPOWERMENT PROGRAMME where hundreds of constituents and other Kwarans got laptops, digital gadgets, start-up funds and registration of businesses with the CAC.
Fortunately, we met at the National Merit House on Thursday, November 16, 2023, where we spoke extensively. It was a worthy conversation where he disabused my mind on public perception on his personality. He is indeed accommodating, friendly, lively and passionate about anything kwara. I wish him more impactful years in the service to his people and Nigeria as a whole.
Oyewale is the Managing Editor FactualTimes and Lecturer at Department of Mass Communication, Federal Polytechnic, Ado-Ekiti. He writes from Abuja.
