By Thalis Apalowo
Kòselèrí is a Yoruba word used to describe an unprecedented event. When a situation that has never been experienced by the people is brought to light, they call it; Kòselèrí!
This is the story of Akoko North East/North West Federal constituency in Ondo state where there is rotation of ‘chop make I chop’ representation.
In 2019, when it seems like there won’t be a shift in the political ideas in Akoko North East/North West Federal constituency, a Tech expert, Hon. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo showed up to promise the people effective representation if given a chance.
Like it has been in the past, the people have trusted many with their mandate yet had always been getting back mixed results.
The people, at the end of every four years were sure of what to expect from their representatives and were fixed at this spot until they decided to try Hon. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo as their representative in 2019.
Hon. Tunji-Ojo was sure of what he’s going to the Green chamber to do and immediately he was sworn in, he started lobbying to ensure the fears of his people are defeated.
His first major breakthrough came when he led other ‘first term lawmakers’ to deliver Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila as the Speaker of the House of representatives.
With his feets established in the house, he got nominated by the Speaker as the Chairman, house committee on NDDC and he has been able to fight hard to ensure the regional body is rid of the corruption that has plagued it for a long period of time. The Niger Delta region itself was thirsty for true development and it has been able to secure a strong voice in Hon. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo.
BTO, as fondly called started implementing his plans to provide effective representation for his people with no sector left behind.
INFRASTRUCTURAL DEVELOPMENTS
In the area of infrastructural development, BTO has been very clear about opening up the constituency to investors.
Under two years, he has influenced the construction of many strategic roads in the constituency. The constituency shares boundaries with Ekiti and Kogi states and before 2019, these major roads in Akokoland were in a pathetic condition.
The conditions of the roads have restricted economic development in the constituency. Ikare Akoko, which was once regarded as the Commercial hub of Ondo state, has lost its place.
Akoko people who are farmers were finding it difficult to transport their farm produce to the markets in the country. This has led to serious loss for the farmers.
As a business executive who understands the importance of road networks, BTO facilitated the construction of the following roads under two years
•Owatumise road to Ugbe Akoko
•Oyinmo road in Ikare Akoko
•Akunnu-Ajowa road
•Federal Technical road, Ikare
•Okeagbe Akoko township Road
•Ase Akoko Road
•Irun Akoko township Road
•Arigidi-Okeagbe Akoko road
•Arigidi-Iye Akoko road
There are other road projects like the Agbo-Okela Road to Oscars road, Okeagbe Akoko – Afin Akoko – Ese Akoko – Ogbagi Akoko – Irun Akoko Roads, Ogbagi Akoko township Road, that are ongoing and will soon be completed.
BTO donated 500KV transformer to NTA Ilepa Ikare-Akoko as part of his efforts to boost information and communication for the local constituents.
EDUCATION AND EMPOWERMENTS
According to BTO, “education is the most important tool to end terrorism”. He has therefore set out to ensure quality education in Akoko North East/North West.
In this process, he has facilitated the construction of modern classrooms in public schools to provide a conducive environment for learning. He also donated educational materials to all public secondary schools in the constituency.
He has been committed to the payment of indigent students’ school fees; the fatherless students, in the constituency a recent beneficiaries.
The uncommon lawmaker has so far approved and distributed more than 1000 UTME forms for students seeking admission into tertiary institutions and as well enrolled hundreds of students in computer training in the area.
More than 6000 youths had been empowered with skills to become self employed while a new skill acquisition center has been approved for Ogbagi Akoko with construction at an advanced stage.
Easily accessible micro-credit grants have been distributed to hundreds of market women in the constituency to empower the women and to help improve the economy.
HEALTH
The touching story of the pregnant woman who died because of the unavailability of an ambulance exposed that there was an urgent need to intervene and BTO did not waste more time to come in.
He immediately donated 14 ambulances and Mobile clinics to all the health centers in the constituency for quick response to any health challenges.
Hospitals in his constituency were also equipped with multimillion naira modern health equipment by Hon. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo.
Recently, an experienced team of medical personnel just concluded a 8-day medical/Surgical outreach across many towns in the constituency.
Many persons were tested and treated. Those who needed surgery were taken to the theater. These were done at no cost as Hon. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo fully sponsored the outreach to help salvage his people from the inability to enjoy free health care services.
JOB OPPORTUNITIES
Under two years, BTO has been able to influence employment for hundreds of constituent members in ministries, boards, military, paramilitary and other places.
SECURITY
With insecurity eating deep into the society, BTO responded by organizing a security summit which brought together all stakeholders in the constituency to highlight what is needed to rescue the situation.
Insecurity has turned the Akoko highways to a home for bandits and kidnappers, with the people not been able to sleep conveniently.
To ensure this is solved, BTO donated patrol vehicles to security operatives to aid their prompt response to called upon.
OTHERS
Traditional rulers were not left out in all of these as BTO donated two 18-seater buses to the council of traditional rulers in each of the local government areas in his constituency.
When COVID-19 pandemic invaded Nigeria in 2020 and led to a lockdown, BTO donated food items to all communities in his constituency and beyond, with the oil producing areas in Ondo state not left out.
BTO brought representative very close to the people with regular engagement with the people. Unlike before, Abuja was brought to the doorstep of the people of the constituency. The people regularly come with problems facing their community and BTO will always ensure that they do not leave without a smile on their faces.
These interventions are impacts of a representative with an uncommon foresight who is liberating his people from underdevelopment.
The fears of the people has been defeated and they are not ready to release BTO to other people outside the constituency yet as they are calling for an historical second term in office for him.
Monarchs, Community/Political leaders and other stakeholders have publicly endorsed BTO’s second term even before completing two out of the four years in his first term.
These events are unprecedented and the people are right, therefore to call it Kòselèrí!