Osun West: Akogun Lere Oyewumi’s Reality, by Sarafa Ibrahim

Every election circle is accompanied by promises from politicians jostling for the mandate of the people. The 2023 general election, especially in the Osun West Senatorial District, is no exception. Of a particular interest is Akogun (Dr) Olalere Oyewumi Kamorudeen who, as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), reinforced assurances of better delivery of dividends of democracy for constituents through effective representation.

Anchored on a six-point agenda, Dr. Oyewumi’s plan showed us what commitment to service can look like as a better service for the people of Osun West senatorial district was loud and clear. It was too good to be real, and that raised skepticism in the minds of some people. And you can hardly blamed them because the past was too disappointing to inspire any hope of a true representative.

From 1999 when democracy was restored as a form of government in Nigeria, Osun West Senatorial District has not seen as much impact on representation as could be said of elsewhere and some had thought the situation will not change anytime soon. That, of course was the extent of the drain hopes that was manifest in the build-up of the 2023 election to the Osun West Senatorial District seat.

With days soon turning to weeks and weeks to months, Dr. Oyewumi is demonstrating to the people of Osun West Senatorial District what is possible with the right leadership. In less than three months of getting into the red chamber, Dr. Oyewumi facilitated construction of Oriolowo-Agbele and Fojugbaji Adediti roads in Iwo local government. The two roads have since been delivered and put in use by residents and motorists

By the time he marked six months in Office, Dr. Oyewumi left no one in doubt that a new dawn is indeed here for the people of Osun West Senatorial district. Not only did Dr. Oyewumi ensures that the voices of constituents are heard at the upper legislative chamber but also counted. Dr. Oyewumi canvasses motions that echo prevailing challenges and workable remedies, and in terms of bills, he has been able to push forward legislations that will address age-long distortion.

In an unprecedented move, Dr. Oyewumi distributed a total of 120 motorcycles to constituents across the senatorial district to enhance mobility, especially for those engaged in farming activities. Not done, Dr. Oyewumi handed out 500 bags of fertilizers to farmers to boost outputs in the district. And more, provided a N50 million cash grant to women, youths, artisans, and yraders in the 10 local governments that made up the district.

It did not, however, stop there as Dr. Oyewumi sponsored training and empowerment of youth and women in the district. Essential tools like sewing machines were distributed to the trained youths, while persons living with disabilities were handed with wheelchairs and other aid devices. Beneficiaries also drew from a pool of N25 million cash grant provided by Dr. Oyewumi to ease their path on the journey to prosperity.

Not so long ago, Dr. Oyewumi came to the succour of the people of Ikire, Apomu and Gbongan, on the devastating flooding incident experienced. He not only provided immediate support to the affected but also facilitated a long-term solution to the problem. In Ikire, for example, Dr. Oyewumi mobilised one of the top construction firm around, Kopek construction, to build the waterway along the popular Naira & Kobo junction, so as to channel water to the gullies and bring an end to the incessant flooding usually experienced on the Ikire-Ibadan road, as well as the communities around.

The Ilesa-Ibadan Express Road, a major travel route in the district, is somehow motorable now, all due to the intervention of Dr. Oyewumi, who facilitated the fixing of the damaged spots. Recently, Dr. Oyewumi unveiled a series of road construction projects in some local governments in the Osun West district to facilitate ease in the movement of people and goods. In Ayidere local government, Dr. Oyewumi’s intervention will bring the Bovas-Araromi junction road back to life as it is undergoing construction now.

For Ayedaade local government, the Oba Solomon Babayemi/Obada Road to Wakajaye junction in Gbongan is getting a new look courtesy of Dr. Oyewumi’s intervention while in Isokan local government, the Abiri Ikoyi to Total Road Construction facilitated by the federal lawmaker will enhance trade and life of the people. The story is not any different for the people of Ede as the Ogberin-Fed Poly Ede South campus road is undergoing a complete overhaul just as the Oke Ola Oluofinrin/Anajere road in Ikire, Irewole local government is receiving renewal through the intervention of Dr. Oyewumi.

And, to say, he is barely 14 monthly in the office, will mesmerises even the worst critic of Dr. Oyewumi, when the catalogue of what he has done is put into perspective. Lest I forget, Dr. Oyewumi has facilitated, within the period of being in office, the installation of transformers in communities requiring it for their power supply. A typical example was the installation of three 500KVA transformers in some communities in Irewole local government. In days to come, there is certainty of the installation of a new batch of transformers in Iwo, Ede, and other places in the senatorial district to boost power supply to homes of constituents.

As for solar-powered streetlights, Dr. Oyewumi has done well. Communities in places like Telemu, Ola-Oluwa local government, to mention a few, have benefited the installation of solar-powered streetlights in recent times to illuminate them at night and enhance security. Oh, I almost forgot, Dr. Oyewumi has dozens of constituents studying in different higher institutions in Osun state or elsewhere benefiting from a modest scholarship scheme.

Overall, I think it is fair to conclude that Dr. Oyewumi’s reality in Osun West Senatorial District is quite a reflection of the expectations of the people. While he still has nearly three years to serve out his first four year term, he has been able to show a serious commitment to improve not just the lives of constituents through impactful interventions, but also transform Osun west senatorial district for the better. And, that is a good thing to relish, and one can be certain that he will not depart from this path of effective representation.

• Sarafa Ibrahim writes from Iwo, Osun West Senatorial District.