EKITI 2018: IT IS IKERE'S TIME

  
By Amuda Emmanuel

Ikere Ekiti is one of the largest towns in Ekiti State and it is also the gateway to the state.
Ikere Ekiti is situated between two state capitals. The two state capitals are Akure in Ondo State and Ado - Ekiti in Ekiti State respectively.
.
Ikere Ekiti is renowned and has a major landmark in the Southern Senatorial District of Ekiti State. It is a fact that, it is well-known by everyone that this aforementioned zone has failed to produce any indigene to occupy the office of the Governor since its creation in the year 1996.

Ekiti State comprises sixteen(16) local government areas; Ekiti North and Central Senatorial Districts share ten(10) out of these local government areas while the South Senatorial District comprises only six(6) local governments thus making the largest of the whole pack. It is quite unfortunate that despite the largeness and voting strength of the South Senatorial District, no Ekiti South(lkere) person has become Ekiti governor since its creation as a state.

However, all political parties are agitating and seeking for the way through which the next state governor will emerge from the south and It is not new to all, that the two zones (Ekiti Central and North) has been controlling the power and affairs of the state for the past 18 years now.. The name of the past governors and their zones include:
Otunba Niyi Adebayo (Ekiti Central, 1999-2003);
Mr Ayodele Fayose (Ekiti Central,2003 -2006);
Engr Segun Oni (Ekiti North, 2007-2010);
Dr Kayode Fayemi (Ekiti North, 2010-2014);
Mr Ayodele Fayose (Ekiti Central,2014 till date).

With Mr Ayodele Fayose being the current governor, we believe that there is no better time for Ekiti South Senatorial District to display its capability and prowess in matters of political governance in the state aside now. It is worthy of note that zoning of the presidential office and that of the governor is not found in any part of Nigerian constitution. We can't eliminate the fact that some political parties in Nigeria evidently state this to ensure equity in the distribution of powers.
I refer to the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) constitution, Article 7 subsection 2(c) which states that, in pursuance of the principle of Equity, Justice and Fairness, the party shall adhere to the policy of " Rotation" and "Zoning" of party and public offices and it shall be enforced by the appropriate executive committee at all levels(PDP constitution, 1999 amended).

In view of this, Ikere being a part of South Senatorial District of the state joins the race of those agitating for the office of the governor. Some of the Ikere indigenes who are fit to occupy the seat of the state's governor are: Dr kolapo Olusola, the present Deputy Governor of the state; two former Deputy Governors of the state, Surveyor Abiodun Aluko and Chief Adebisi Omoyeni; Former Ikere local government Chairman, Otunba Bisi Aloba; Former Commissioners of the state, Chief Sesan Fatoba and Honourable Funminyi Afuye; the son of the former governor of Old Ondo state, Mr Muyiwa Olumilua; the managing partner of consulting options limited, Mr. Kola Alabi and Austria based medical practitioner, Dr Oluwole Oluyede.

These contestants are well educated, intelligent, prudent and frequently versed in Ekiti dialect. Below are the profiles of the contestants
DR. KOLAPO OLUBUNMI OLUSOLA ELEKA was born in ikere Ekiti to the family of Elder and Deaconess Olusola Ojo Eleka, Eleka’s compound in Ikere-Ekiti. He started his educational pursuit at St. Mathew’s Primary School, Ikere-Ekiti between 1972 to 1978 and had his secondary school education at Annunciation School, Ikere-Ekiti between 1978 to 1983 where he recorded outstanding performances as an award and prize winning best student throughout his sojourn in the schools. The same feat was achieved in his first degree five-year University Education at Obafemi Awolowo University between 1984 to 1989. He obtained an M.Sc. degree in Construction Technology from Department of Building, University of Lagos in 1993 and a PhD in Building Structures from Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife in 2005.
Before he was nominated and elected as deputy governor of Ekiti State in 2014, Dr. Kolapo Olusola was an accomplished lecturer in the Department of Building, Obafemi Awolowo University, for the past twenty-three (23) years. At the postgraduate level, he has successfully supervised two PhD, two M.Phil and nine M.Sc. students all in the field of Building Structures within the past nine years after obtaining his PhD degree. He has severally served as External examiner in many Universities within the country. His research interests are mainly in the field of Alternative Building Materials Development for Housing Construction, Construction Technology and Structural Mechanics.
Professionally, Dr. Kolapo Olusola- Eleka is an accomplished Registered Builder who had previously held very important positions at state and National levels
(Osun State N.I.O.B. – Nigerian Institute of Building – Chairman 2006-2009; At National level – Registrar of N.I.O.B., 2007-2009, Research Secretary 2009 – 2011 and Member, National Council of NIOB, 2006 – 2011; Examiner, NIOB 1998-2002; 2006 – 2011).
Dr. Kolapo Olusola is an ordained Pastor in Christ Apostolic Church Worldwide and he is happily married to Mrs.Janet Olusola and blessed with children.
.
SURVEYOR JACOB ABIODUN ALUKO was born in Ikere Ekiti on Christmas day, 25th December 1948. He started his education at St John's Primary school, Are, Ikere Ekiti and had his secondary school education at Annunciation Secondary School, Ikere Ekiti between 1966 to 1970 and he made grade 1. He proceeded to the University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University Ile Ife) between 1972 to 1976 where he studied Geology and Applied Geophysics and he made Second Class Upper Division. He proceeded to the Federal School of Surveying, Oyo in 1978 and graduated with First Class/Distinction in 1980 and obtained Post Graduate/Professional Diploma in Surveying and Mapping. He studied Computer Science at Workman Computer College, affiliated with Ekiti State University and obtained Post Graduate Diploma (PGD) in Computer Applications Specializing in Auto CAD in 1992. He also attended University of Ado - Ekiti (now Ekiti State University) for a Master degree in Environmental Management between 2003 to 2005 and Workshop on Public Policy Formulation at University of Ibadan in 2005. He also attended RECTAS at Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife in 2004 for Post Graduate Certificate (PGC) in Geographic Information System (GIS). He served NYSC at Industrial Development Center, Owerri, Imo State between 1976 to 1977. He qualified as a professional Surveyor and became a Licensed Surveyor in 1983 at one sitting (the first to achieve this feat). He returned to Ondo State Housing Corporation in Akure and promoted to become the head of department of surveying in Housing Corporation,Akure. He registered by SURCON to practice surveying and mapping throughout Nigeria in 1983, registered by the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyor, London (RICS) in 1984, registered by the UNDP in 1988 as a Project Development Consultant (PDC) in Engineering and Environmental Studies.
Abiodun Aluko popularly known as" Olu-Omo" of Ikere land joined the struggle for the creation of Ekiti State in 1987 under the chairmanship of Chief Deji Fasuan. He joined politics formally in 1988 and elected as the State Treasurer of the Peoples Front of Nigeria (PFN) under the national leadership of General Shehu Musa Yar'Adua in 1990. He Contested as the Chairmanship candidate of National Republic Convention (NRC) of Ikere Local Government in 1990 and lose to Chief Dayo Okondo under the Social Democratic Party (SDP). He was elected as the Ikere Local Government Chairman of National Republican Convention (NRC) in 1993. He was elected as the Ikere Local Government Chairman of United Nigeria Peoples Congress (UNPC), a political party during the Abacha regime in 1996. He was elected in 1999 as an Ex-Officio member of the state executive of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). He was nominated as the running mate to the PDP gubernatorial candidate of Mr Ayodele Fayose in 2003 and was elected as the Deputy Governor of Ekiti State in 2003 and he was illegally impeached as the Deputy Governor on 27th September, 2005 by the Ekiti State House of Assembly due to political differences with the Governor, and the impeachment was reversed and annulled by the same state House of Assembly in April 2007. He was appointed as member of governing council at Bayero University, Kano in 2009 and re-appointed as a member governing Council at Bayero University, Kano in 2012. He contested the Ekiti State governorship seat in 2014 under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). He married to Pastor (Mrs) Beatrice Aduke Aluko and blessed with wonderful children.

CHIEF JEREMIAH ADEBISI OMOYENI was born in Ikere Ekiti to the family of Late Gabriel Omoyeni and Mrs Bosede Omoyeni at oisa Ayelegun compound, Odo Oja, Ikere Ekiti on 16th January,1958. He started his education pursuit at Holy Trinity Primary School, Odo Oja, Ikere Ekiti between 1964 and 1969,then St Benedict Modern School,Ikere Ekiti between 1970 and 1971 and had his secondary school education at Amoye Grammar School,Ikere Ekiti between 1971 and 1975. He went to the St.John Mary's TeachersTraining College, Owo in Ondo State between 1976 and 1977.
He proceeded to University of Ife in 1979 (now Obafemi Awolowo University) to study Demography but after a session he crossed into the University of Lagos,Akoka, Lagos State where he graduated in Insurance with First Class Honour and he was awarded Federal Government Merit/Scholarship as the best student in Insurance and Actuarial Sciences Department in 1981. Chief Bisi
Omoyeni also had two additional postgraduate degrees. He went to the University of Lagos to obtain Masters in Banking and Finance (MBF) and International Law and Relation in 1991 and 1993 respectively.
Bisi Omoyeni has continued to excel in all his endeavors. He had his first work experience in life as a tangible teacher at both St. Michael primary school, Ise–Ekiti and L.A primary school, Ilawe-Ekiti.
As a youth corps member with the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation(NNPC) Lagos, he demonstrated remarkably as an astute Administrator and professional.
However, he lectured at the Polytechnic Ibadan, immediately after the National Service for a brief period before his foray into the private sector, where he made his mark as a banker of repute.
A distinguished banker, Bisi Omoyeni cut his professional teeth with Hogg Robinson Nigeria Ltd, Lagos where he started as a broker. he moved to Continental Loss Adjusters, Lagos where, he was the manager and later joined the service of Wema Bank in 1987 as Assistance Manager II, Assistant Manager I between1988 to1989, Manager II between1989 to1991, Manager I between April 1,1991 to March 31,1991, Senior Manager II between1992 to1993, Senior Manager I between1993 to1994 ,Principal Manager II between1994 to1996, Principal manager between 1996 to1997 ,Assistant General Manager between1997 to1998, General Manager (Admin) between1998 to1999, Executive Director (Resource Management Service) between 1999 to 2002, Executive Director (Investing and International Banking) between 2002 to 2003, Executive Director (Investment Banking and Public Sector) between 2003 to 2004, Executive Director (Retail Banking) between 2004 to 2005,With a leave of absence, he was nominated as the Ekiti State Deputy Governor between October 4,2005 to December 6, 2005, Managing Director (Chief Executive Officer) between 2005 to 2008. He contested 2014 governorship seat in Ekiti State under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party. He is happily married and the marriage is blessed with God.

OTUNBA ADEBISI ALOBA was born in Ikere Ekiti on the 15th August 1960. He started his elementary school at L.A Primary School, Ikere between 1968 to 1974 and had his secondary school education at Amoye Grammar School,Ikere Ekiti between 1974 to 1979. Then, he moved to Oyemekun Grammar School, Akure in Ondo State between 1974 to 1979. He proceeded to the University of Ilorin, Kwara State between 1980 to 1985 where he graduated in Electrical Engineering. He had his NYSC at Delta Steel in Warri, Delta State as instrument Engineer between 1985 to 1986. He joined NAFCON Onne, PortHarcourt as Instrumental Electrical Engineer between 1986 to 1988. He later moved to Ozone Nigeria Ltd between 1988 to 1991. He was Chairman of Abas Engineering Works between 1991 to 1993 and Chairman of Spring Aluminium Nigeria Ltd between from 2008 till date. He joined politics by contesting the Chairmanship position for Ikere Local Government under the CNC platform. He won and served his people between 1997 to 1998. He was later appointed as the chairman of Governing Council of the Federal College of Education(Technical) Bichi, Kano State between 2005 to 2007.He is happily married with good Children.

MR KOLAWOLA OLADIPUPO ALABI (KA) was born on the 23rd of November 1970 in Lagos to Chief S.S Alabi(The Eminiwa of Afao) Ikere Ekiti and Mrs Bosede Florence Alabi (Nee Adu Adebayo of Odo Oja Ikere Ekiti). He started his primary school education in Omoleye Children School, Ikorodu, Lagos State and secondary school at Federal Government College, Idoani in Ondo State. He went to the Federal Polytechnic Ado Ekiti, Ekiti State before relocating to USA and completing his University education at the University of Maryland where he studied Information System Management. Kola Alabi had Masters in International Affairs and Diplomacy from the Prestigious University of Buckingham,USA. Kola Alabi currently serves on the board of many companies and he is currently the Managing Partner at Alok Consulting Options Ltd. He is happily married with good Children.

CHIEF SESAN FATOBA was born in Ikere Ekiti and had his Primary and Secondary schools in Ikere and Akure respectively. He attended University of Ife now Obafemi Awolowo Universiity Ile Ife between 1970 to 1974 where he bagged Bachelor of Science in Chemistry. He proceeded for Post graduate Diploma in Public Administration (PGDPA) between 1984 to 1985. He proceeded to Strathclychde University, Glasgow, Scotland in 1987 to study Certificate in Financial Planning and also studied to have L.L.B (Hons) from the University of Ado Ekiti in 2002 and Nigerian Law School in 2004. His carrier spanned between 1974 to 1995: Ministry of Finance and Budget between 1992 to 1993, Director General (Permanent Secretary) Office Establishment and Trainning 1994, Director General (Permanent Secretary) Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Co-operatives in 1995. He was appointed as Ekiti State Commissioner for Commerce and Industry between 1999 to 2003 and also, was appointed into Ekiti State Civil Service Commission between 2011 and 2014. He is happily married with good children.

MR OLUMUYIWA MICHEAL OLUMILUA was born on 23rd January,1969 to the family of Evangelist Bamidele Isola Olumilua, the former governor of Old Ondo State and Mrs Theresa Gbesi Olumilua in Ikoyi, Lagos State. He started his primary education at St Charles Hultz School,Ottawa, Canada then proceeded to United Nations International School, Manhattan, New York. After a stint at Our Lady of Apostles School, Herbert Macaulay,Yaba, Lagos State, he finished his primary school education at Omolere Nursery and Primary School,Akure, Ondo State. He had his Secondary Education in the Federal Government College Idoani, Ondo State and Mary Immaculate Grammar School, Ado Ekiti. He proceeded to the University of Lagos for Tertiary Education.He obtained Bachelor of Science(Hons) in Estate Management in 1990. He proceeded to Ondo State University Ado Ekiti (now Ekiti State University) to get Master degree in Business Administration Specialising in Finance in 1998. He had his NYSC at Sokoto State with Adegboye and Partners, Estate Surveyors and Valuers. He later joined Alonge Ogunmoyero and Co in Awolowo way, Ikeja in Lagos State as an Estate Surveyor. Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Keshlink Investment Ltd, Vice Chairman, Friends and Partners Ltd and Principal Partner at Muyiwa Olumilua and Associate, a firm of Estate Surveyors, Facility Managers and Auctioneers. He is currently the President,Certified Institute of Auctioneers, Nigeria (Abuja Chapter). He was appointed as a Senior Special Assistant to the governor of Ekiti State on project monitoring between 2010 to 2012 and Senior Assistant to the governor of Ekiti State on Inter governmental relations between 2012 to 2014. He was appointed as an UNESCO Ambassador in 2016. He is happily married with children.
.
HONOURABLE FUNMINYI EBENEZER AFUYE was born on 11th July, 1956. He began his elementary education at St John's Primary School, Araromi, Ikere Ekiti between 1962 to 1967 and LA Primary School Afao, Ikere Ekiti in the year 1968. He proceeded to Annunciation School, Ikere Ekiti for his secondary education between 1969 to 1973. Then, to University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University) between 1976 to 1980 where be bagged a degree in Political Science. He proceeded to University of Lagos for his Masters of Science in International relations between 1981 to 1982. He later went back to University of Lagos where he graduated with a degree in Law between 1988 to 1994 and went to the Nigeria Law School between 1994 to 1995. On Job history, he worked as a Clerk in the Federal Office of Statistics Ibadan between 1974 to 1976 and Ondo State Ministry of Finance and Economic development in 1976. He had his NYSC between 1980 to 1981. He served as a class teacher under Lagos State School Management Board between 1981 to 1983. He worked with the Bank of Creecht and Commerce(BCCT) which was later named African International Bank (AIB) between 1983 to 1990. He moved to Equitorial trust Bank (ETB) as Operation Manager at Head Office Branch between 1990 to 1992. Senior Manager at First African Trust Bank Ltd between 1992 to 1995. He founded his Private legal firm named Funminyi Afuye and Co between 1995 till date.
He was elected as a member of Ekiti State House of Assembly between 2007 to 2011 where he served as House leader and leader of government business. He was appointed as Ekiti State Commissioner for Information and Civic Orientation between 2011 to 2013 and Ekiti State Commissioner for integration and intergovernment affairs between 2013 to 2014. He is happily married with children

DOCTOR OLUWOLE OLUYEDE was born in June 1964 to the family of the late Chief Folarin Joseph Oluyede, a retired teacher and seasoned politician, and late Chief Mrs. Grace Ayodele Oluyede (nee Gbadebo), also a teacher who retired as a school headmistress in 1994.
Wole Oluyede started his primary education at Emmanuel Primary School, Ado Ekiti in 1970, subsequently gaining admission into Christ School, Ado Ekiti in 1974 for his secondary education. He later attended the Federal School of Arts and Science Ondo, Ondo State, for his A” Levels, where he studied for a year before being admitted into the University of Ilorin in 1980 to study Medicine.
Wole Oluyede started his Career from his medical training in the University of Ilorin, Wole has risen in the past three decades to become a consummate medical practitioner with far-reaching international experience and sought after specializations in North America, the Caribbean and Australia. Earlier, after graduating with a MBBS degree from Ilorin in 1986, he had his Internship training at the State Hospital Akure between 1986 and 1987, and proceeded on the mandatory National Youth Service Corps at the Neuro Psychiatric Hospital Yaba Lagos in 1988.
Subsequently, Wole did his residency training at the Neuro Psychiatric Hospital, Aro, Abeokuta and had working stints at the Comprehensive Health Centre, Emure-Ekiti, the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) and a number of private hospitals in Akure and Lagos. Cutting his teeth early as a medical professional and entrepreneur, Dr. Oluyede opened the Bethany Clinic, at the age of 27, at Agege Pen Cinema in Lagos; thereafter opening another clinic at Iju Agege, before moving the practice to Abesan Estate in Ipaja, Lagos in 1994. He remained in private medical practice till he left for the United States of America in 2001.
In the U.S, Wole went through a residency program at Upstate University, Syracuse, New York State. Not only did the Canadian Medical board certify Wole afterwards, he also practiced Rural Emergency Medicine for about three years in the Caribbean, before leaving for Australia in 2006, where he received certification as a Fellow of the Australian Royal College of General Practitioner. While the government of Prince Edward Island invited him to work in Canada in 2008, he still maintained professional practice in Australia, where he was regularly on work call, at least four times every other year. He eventually left Canada for Australia in 2011, where he now owns a practice. Beyond medical practice, Wole Oluyede has also made remarkable entrepreneurial success as a businessman with significant interests in the hotel/hospitality and mining sectors in Australia, Nigeria and South Africa. He is happily married with good children.

The profiles of these candidates attest to their capability of occupying the governorship office. On behalf of Ikere, I write this expressing, the heart- cry of the entire Ikere community on this matter.