Hon. Olaide Akinremi: Keeping a date with the next level
By Akeem Adebiyi
Really, he stunned the keen watchers of democracy and political observers when he emerged as the only elected federal lawmaker to represent Ibadan North Federal constituency at the green chamber in Ibadan city in the 2019 Federal elections. They were quite taken aback owing to their perception of him as a greenhorn in the Oyo state body polity.
The elites know him as a frontline business magnate, a philanthropist and a great social pest. Of essence, he is well connected across the globe having some of his business interests overseas, most especially, Liberia, Canada and U.S.A. respectively. Indeed, he has friends in almost all the stations in Oyo-state and beyond. So, his foray into politics in Nigeria is still strange to the bewildered populace.
However, little did they realise that he has been an active player behind the scene for almost one and a half decades ago. To wit, he had played major roles at electing some governors and law-makers in Oyo-Sate via heavy personal financial contributions. Beyond Nigeria’s shores, he had played similar supportive roles. For instance, he is still an household name in Liberia where he participated actively well in the electioneering processes over years.
Of significance, he was one of the few big personalities that ensured the emergence of George Weah as the current President of Liberia. Could such a man be regarded as a greenhorn in politics?
His sterling performance as the law maker representing Ibadan North Federal constituency in the green chamber are quite encouraging. His sphere of influence transcended Ibadan North, but, the whole Ibadan land and beyond. His empowerment programmes are far reaching, covering the artisans, clerics, traders, royal fathers, students and politicians, just to mention a few. He is reputed to be the only federal lawmaker in Oyo State who has exceeded the statutory records of empowering his constituents through trainings-viz; seminars and workshops, medical outreach and cash donations, among others. Then, his impacts on education and electricity projects are widely acknowledged. On education, he built new classrooms and renovated the existing ones in the sizeable number of schools in Ibadan North local government not to talk of academic scholarships as granted the indigent students and laboratory equipment for a good number of secondary schools in the constituency. It is no gainsaying that his habitual philanthropic gestures must have prepared him for this superlative performances in the art of governance and service to mankind.
The party leaders and members alike, of APC in Ibadan North local government branch alike had never regretted entrusting him twice with the tickets of the party. Albeit, his outstanding performances during his first tenure in office actually earned him the well deserved second term ticket. No better candidate was available to deny him this chance. Hon. Olaide Akinremi’s popularity rating among his colleagues in the green chamber is reasonably high. Aside from being a detribalised Nigerian, his social inclinations cuts across all the geo-political zones in Nigeria and beyond. This earned him the membership of the National caretaker of the APC sometime two years ago. He played significant roles,by dint of his designation as the Director of operations, at repositioning the party for its eventual victory at this year’s elections .
Hence, he is richly endowed and imbued with the zest and ethos deserving of a competent and intelligent public administrator.
He holds Master’s degree in Public sector management and earned his first degree in Public administration. As a first timer in the house, he was entrusted to head the house committee on Science and Research institutes as the Chairman. Also, he is the chairman, House Adhoc committee on purchase, use of arms and ammunitions by the military and paramilitary outfits in Nigeria. These feats are hardly accomplished by the first comers in the house of representatives. Perhaps his academic credentials or his good human relations worked wonders for him.
No doubt, the progressive minds in the green chamber are tipping him for a principal position in the in the incoming dispensation ostensibly due to his good leadership traits and level headedness. Without mincing words, an achiever of his kind deserves a better deal.
But, one can be consoled with the popular saying, “no position is too big or too small when service to humanity beckons.”
There is no iota of doubt, based on his competence and ability, he shall deliver on any mandate assigned to him in the green chamber. In this circumstance, the hightened speculation to the effect that the position of Deputy speakership in the 10th Federal House of Representatives may be zoned to the South West has already been tilted in his favour as a suitable occupier.
Beyond this favourable and wonderful offer, he has another superlative offer in his home state of Oyo. Several groups and individuals, including traditional rulers are vouching for his qualification and suitability as a Gubernatorial candidate against all odds in the year 2027, God sparing our lives. Their recommendation was predicated on Hon. Olaide Akinremi’s wonderful performances in politics and governance, his winning aura, financial war chest, urbane nature, humility and high popularity rating among the citizens.
There is no doubt asserting that he earned this good recommendation through hardwork, accessibility and humaness. Nothing good is easily come by, it is of no use deceiving ourselves. Left, right and centre, he is favored to occupy a prominent position in the incoming and next political dispensations. The sacred truth that he won his second term elections with ease, attests to the incontrovertible postulate that he has been tested, trusted and guaranteed.
Consensus of opinions points in favour of infusion of fresh blood into the leadership position in Oyo state. Yes, young and dynamic personage is required to govern Oyo-State in 2027. At this juncture, politicians across political divides are ready to jetsion the ambitions of some perennial gubernatorial candidates and seasonal politicians. Parading such old cargoes for electoral contests may amount to reversal of fortunes in the contemporary dynamic world. It is even inimical to the traditional interests of the progressive politics for which APC is well noted.
Akeem Adebiyi, akeemadebiyi2015 @gmail.com, a public analyst and social commentators writes from Ibadan.
