Kolawole Ajibade Oyekan is a scion of the Adeyinka Oyekan dynasty, Amiable, friendly and a passionate politician, he is a delight to speak with.
An interview with him at the secretariat of the Kolawole Ajibade Oyekan Foundation at EhinIga, behind the palace of Oba of Lagos, in Isale Eko, revealed a young man who sees giving back to the people a passion. In this exclusive interview with our correspondent, he declared that as a grandson of the immediate past Oba of Lagos, Kabiyesi Adeyinka Oyekan, he must at all times strive to protect the name and royal institution and that he ventured into politics to support his people for improved welfare.
Can we meet you?
Thank you. I am Prince Taiwo Ajibade Oyekan, deputy leader of Lagos Island Local Government and founder of Ajibade Oyekan Foundation.
What is the driving force behind the massive empowerment you do for your constituents?
As a legislator who is saddled with the responsibility of making bye laws and legislating in the council on issues affecting the people at the grassroot, l feel it is incumbent on me to continue to assist the executive in improving the welfare of the constituents of my ward.
On why l decided to embark on empowerment of the constituents of my ward by empowering young and old artisans with sewing machines, hair dressing, barbing and shoe making equipment, including sinking of boreholes and scholarship to indigent students, I have passion for service to humanity and as the grandson of late Oba Oyekan of Lagos and the first among that lineage to go into politics l vowed not to tarnish the name of the royal family.
With the current economic situation in the country, what’s your plan for the people in your ward?
Interestingly, to cushion the effect of economic hardship in the land which is global, and as a disciple of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, l am about to spend N10 million which l have saved from my salaries and impress as a council legislative; from my foundation and personal businesses, by giving out N25,000 to 400 vulnerable persons beyond political party affiliation to complement the effort of the federal, state and my local government.
With the massive empowerment you are doing, do you intend to vie for higher political office?
Although, l have higher political ambition but politics is not a “do or die” to me. My main aim is to service my people and contribute my quota to service to humanity.
What’s your advice to your people in view of the current hardship in the land?
My advice to my constituents in Ward C, Lagos Island Local Government, l urge them to be patient and believe in the President, Governor Sanwo-Olu and my humble self in the delivery of dividends of democracy to them, and be peaceful at all times for better things to come.
My plans for Sports in Lagos state – Hon. Lekan Fatodu, Chairman, Sports Council
The newly appointed Chairman of the Lagos state Sports Council, Hon Lekan Fatodu has disclosed that rejuvenation of sports in the schools and awakening of unknown sports remain his topmost priorities.
The UNILAG graduate, who has equally acquired more academic laurels in IVY Colleges across the world promised to continue to engage stakeholders in the sporting world for development.
He spoke exclusively at a chanced meeting with our correspondent, and commended Governor for the condense repose in him for appointing him.
According to him “our plan essentially is focused on the rejuvenation of school and community sports also known as grassroots sports, encourage mass participation in the less known sports and also create a level playing field for all sporting activities to thrive thereby developing new sports talents in diverse sports and nurturing them for self development and economic growth”