Destiny can never be changed it can only be delayed! That’s the reality of the member, representing Ekiti/Irepodun/Isin/and Oke-Ero federal constituency, Kwara state in House of Representatives, Hon Raheem Olawuyi Ajuloopin. He is fortunate and a blessed man with his rising profile in the green chamber within five years.
The business mogul cum politician is a third term lawmaker just within space of five years. It looks strange but God decided to compensate him for lost years. Lost years? Yes, it’s lost years in service to his constituents. Ajuloopin has been seeking opportunity to represent his people since 1999.
I knew him while staying with my uncle in Iyana-Apaja, Lagos through late Omu-aran Philanthropist Tejumola Abolarinwa (Tejumola Onirin). The late business mogul provided necessary support for Ajuloopin to emerge winner during the 1999 elections but he couldn’t make it to the green chamber.
It’s therefore not surprising when he started taking giant steps to deliver dividends of democracy across four local government areas in his constituency after winning bye-election in 2018.
For records, the victory of Ajuloopin during the November 17, 2018 bye-election marked the watershed in Kwara’s political history. It energised and gave Otoge movement gladiators courage to work assiduously for victory during the 2019 elections. The All Progressives Congress, APC, defeated Senator Bukola Saraki led PDP by clearing all elective positions (35-0).
The 58-year-old House Committee Chairman on Emergency and Disaster Preparedness has delivered quality representation by dutifully carrying out his legislative functions to the benefit of his constituents.
The lawmaker’s achievements could be attributed to his preparation, planning and political will to deliver. Fortunately, I graced the inauguration of the Constituency Central Working Committee (CCWC) to serve as bridge between him and the constituents.
The progressive minded lawmaker while inaugurating the committee in July 2019 expressed his resolve to fulfill campaign promises by harvesting feedback from the grassroots. Inaugurating the 42-member committee, Ajuloopin said the CCWC aims at reinforcing the resolve to deliver key components of his legislative agenda.
He explained that the committee will serve as Think-Tank to collate feedbacks and engage with stakeholders including community leaders, contractors and other groups.
”This committee has three mandates; scrutiny, synthesis and synergy of ideas, programmes, projects and projections for Ekiti/Irepodun/Is in/Oke-ero federal constituency. I will be counting on you to work in concert with liaison officers, elders, leaders and other stakeholders in to achieve all we have set out in our action plan.”
No wonder, Ajuloopin has been able to spread to every ward and local government area across his constituency. He has introduced bills to attract development, create jobs and federal presence to his constituency.
The APC lawmaker sponsored the Federal College of Education, Omu-Aran Kwara State (Establishment) Bill (Irepodun local government) which was passed by both House of Representatives and Senate during 9th National Assembly. He also sponsored bills for establishment of the Food Processing and Preservation Center, Osi Ekiti and School of Midwifery Ayedun.
Ajuloopin has implemented many impactful projects and programmes in education, health, agriculture, human capital development and social welfare to improve well being of his constituents.
Also, he provided sustainable empowerment for Youths through Ajuloopin Digital Empowerment Programme where hundreds of constituents and other Kwarans got laptops, gadgets, start-up funds and registration of business with the CAC.
Fortunately, we met at National Merit House Abuja on November 16, 2023 where he disabused my mind on public perception of his personality. He is indeed accommodating, friendly and lively. I wish him more impactful years in the service of his people and Nigeria as a whole.
Oyelola, managing editor FactualTimes and lecturer, Department of Mass Communication, Federal Polytechnic Ado-Ekiti, writes from Abuja.
