- By Rasaq Kareem ‘Segun
It is rare to have a good representative of impeccable character and integrity personified like Hon. Ajibade Sunday Owolabi as the first Executive Chairman of a newly created council like ours (Okemesi/Ido LCDA).
Hon. Ajibade Sunday Owolabi, a teacher turned politician had represented his constituency, Ekiti West constituency II, comprising Okemesi and Ido-Ile in the State House of Assembly between 2007 to 2011. This same constituency has now eventually became Okemesi/Ido Ile LCDA as at today!
Hon. Ajibade’s outstanding performance then earned him the confidence reposed on him by his constituent and subsequently his election to steer the ship of the new LCDA as the first Executive Chairman. Again, his outstanding performance in this new office deepened the trust his people had in him and the reason he was considered for another term of office by consensus.
As a first termer in office, the following projects were executed under his supervision:
1. Re-construction of damaged box culvert at Okerena street, Okemesi-Ekiti
2. Construction of 600 Meters line drainage with three culverts at Oke-okuta, in Okemesi-Ekiti
3.Construction of 200 Meters line drainage at Ido-Ile .
4. Construction of 30 open market stalls at a new market site in Ido-Ile.
5. Construction of abbatoir in Okemesi (ongoing)
6. Construction of office complex at the LCDA permanent site. The building contained fourteen offices, each with ante room and toilet facilities up to roofing level.
7. Borehole sank at the permanent site of the LCDA.
8. Empowerment to farmers – Knapsack sprayers, Herbicides and cutlasses were distributed to thirty farmers in each ward at the beginning of year 2022 planting season.
9. Distribution of gas cylinders to ten women in each ward.
10. Raising of 1,500 hybrid oilpalm seedlings which will be sold to farmers at subsidised rate
11. Cultivation of 2 acres of hybrid Maize Inter cropped with hybrid cassava.
12. Repair and refurbishing of two out of the three nonfunctional vehicles inherited from the parent council (Ekiti west).
13. Grading of roads in Okemesi and Ido-Ile (including farm settlements)
14. Purchase of a laptop for a JAMB free coaching center at Okemesi and JAMB forms for some brilliant but indigent students in Okemesi and Ido-Ile.
15. Construction of box culvert at ogunna street, ldo-Ile.
16. Purchase of 50 plastic chairs for the LCDA registry
17. Purchase of 4 motorcycles for police, Amotekun, local vigilante and the 4th one for tracing electricity faults at Ido-Ile.
18. Repair of failed portions of roads with hardcore stones and laterite(Okemesi/Itawure road and Okemesi/Esa Oke road).
20. Installation of solar bore hole at Odowo, street, Okemesi Ekiti.
21.Purchase of office furnitures, 2 laptop computers plasma televisions Dstv etc.
22. Fumigation of the LCDA temporary secretariat and Owa Ooye palace, Okemesi-Ekiti.
In this his second journey as the Executive chairman of the LCDA, he has promised to consolidate on his past achievements and work in tandem with Mr Governor’s six point developmental agenda which are:
1. Youths development and job creation
2. Human capital development
3. Agriculture and rural development
4. Infrastructure and industrialization
5. Art, Culture and Tourism
6. Good governance.
Hon. Ajibade attributed his achievements in his first term to God and the indefatigable and integrity personified Governor, His Excellency Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji (the BAO), the executive governor of Ekiti State who graciously empowered the local government and LCDA by releasing funds for various developmental projects.
As Hon. Ajibade’s second journey in the administration of our LCDA begins, let us all support him with our prayers, constructive criticisms and useful suggestions that will enable our LCDA to stand out among the comity of local governments/LCDAs.
