By Omobolaji Adekunle
The Local Government Pensioners Association of Nigeria (LOGPAN), Ogun State branch has unanimously elected Pastor Benedict Atanda Ademoye as new state chairman of the Association after the demise of the late Chairman, Chief Sikiru Akangbe Ayilara JP.
This took place at the Association Secretariat during an emergency meeting conveyed by the Vice Chairman, Deaconess (Mrs) Oreoluwa Adeola Aranju,
Members of the executive who worked with the late Chairman were stepped down, and new members were elected.
Moving the motion to elect Pastor Benedict Ademoye as the Chairman, Chief A. Madamidola of Abeokuta North LGA said, “We don’t need to bother ourselves. Chief Ayilara has shown us and chosen his successor for us in the person of Pastor Benedict Atanda Ademoye.
“I hereby move that we should elect him to continue the good work of Chief Ayilara.
“I believe all of us are witnesses to the fact that he had chosen Pastor Ademoye as our next Chairman,” Chief Madamidola stated.
“Ademoye is an humble person and his humbleness is what took him to the position,” Madamilola added.
The executive members (34) at the meeting from all local governments resolved and unanimously elected Pastor Ademoye as the successor of Chief Sikiru Ayilara.
Speaking, the duo of the Vice Chairman, Deaconess Aranju and the Secretary, Chief Awojobi corroborated the general viewpoints that Pastor Ademoye was the consensus new Chairman of LOGPAN.
Responding, the new LOGPAN Chairman, Pastor Benedict Atanda Ademoye expressed appreciation for the executive members’ support and cooperation for deeming it fit to elect him to replace the late Chairman.
“In fact, this is amazing. I thank all of you for your relentless efforts at seeing that LOGPAN remains on the path of glory. You have indeed been loyal to Chief Ayilara for him to take this association to this level. It wasn’t an easy task.
“I have been close to Chief Ayilara in the last thirty-one years. In those years, Chief Ayilara would visit me in office, watch my work, and offer advice on areas that needed improvement.
“Since you have unanimously agreed to elect me as the LOGPAN new Chairman, I wouldn’t disappoint LOGPAN. I will rather promise you that I will adhere strictly to the unanimous decision of the house. Thank you all.”
The former General Secretary of the Association, Chief Biliaminu Ayinla Adejobi also tasked the new chairman to do as the former chairman, Chief Ayinlara did before his demise.
“I expect the new chairman to do beyond of Chief Ayilara, because Chief Ayilara took it on himself to be a good leader; who is always led to help anybody who is in difficulty.
“The new chairman we have is somebody I know that has the same privilege to be a good leader because I have worked with him for some years before I retired in local government, and we want him to go beyond Chief Ayilara as he worked tirelessly for the welfare of local government pensioners.”