The Chairman of Oluyole Local Government Area of Oyo State, Prince Ayodeji Abass-Aleshinloye, supervised the distribution of free exercise books to primary school pupils, instructional materials to teachers, empowerment of farmers with shelling machines and other farm implements and the unveiling of drugs for health centres in the local government at the weekend to mark his 100 days in office.
The council chief also inaugurated a recreation and literary garden constructed within the premises of the council’s headquarters.
He told reporters that the garden was meant to encourage recreational activities and encourage children to read, pointing out that a monthly reading competition would soon hold in the garden. “This is part of the innovative approaches we are taking to develop education in Oluyole Local Government Area,” he said.
Abass-Aleshinloye also inaugurated a corporate car park at New Garage and a borehole provided for the people of Babalola Estate, Odo-Ona Elewe Ibadan. He went round Orita-Challenge, Arapaja Road and Odo-Ona Elewe areas to assess the progress of the ongoing road projects in the council area under the World Bank-assisted programme of the state government.
The Chief of Staff to Oyo State Governor, Dr Gbade Ojo, who attended the event, commended Aleshinloye for his ingenious approach to governance. He said he was impressed at what the council boss achieved within 100 days.
In a chat with reporters, he described Aleshinloye as a seasoned local government administrator.
“My appeal to him is that he must not rest on his oars based on what he has achieved within 100 days in a journey of three years. I advise other local government chairmen to take a cue from him.” Ojo said.
He also congratulated Governor Abiola Ajimobi on identifying a “good material” in making Aleshinloye a caretaker chairman before his eventual election.
The council chief said the journey has been taxing but that the support he enjoys from his team mates, management and members of staff of the council has been one of the secrets of his successes.
He recalled that upon assumption of office, he met six months’ unpaid salaries, adding that with the assistance of Governor Ajimobi, he has been able to reduce it to two months which he promised would be cleared soon.
He revealed that “the council engages in routine immunisation and environmental sanitation” adding that his administration has “sustained peace and peaceful co-existence of all tribes in the council area and provided logistic support for security operatives”.
Aleshinloye also revealed that the administration has resuscitated funds for community development and market associations, adding that women empowerment has taken a priority position in his administration.
He promised that, apart from the favourable working conditions being focused upon by his administration, the next 100 days would witness provision of more basic amenities such as public and school toilets and rehabilitation of schools. According to him, the refurbished health centre would be inaugurated soon.