Tag: ADELEKE

The first civilian governor of Osun State (1992-1993), Senator Isiaka Adetunji Adeleke, is a good team player in politics. A rallying point for various classes of people in Osun State and beyond. He has over the years, remained with his people, through the thick and thin, offering them his wide shoulders to lean on. He identifies with their yearnings and aspirations and offering solutions to their problems. Senator Adeleke political structure has remained solid ever since. His kind gestures cut across tribe, creed, religion and sex. He is for all. No wonder, all are for him as demonstrated in the massive votes he got during the March 28, 2015 Senatorial election in Osun West District, thus returning to the Senate as a ranking Senator with intimidating credentials.

What is working for “Serubawon”? What are his magic wands? This could be premised on his various seen and unseen positive contributions to individuals and communities since he was elected the first executive governor of Osun State in 1992 at the young age of 35. Such were the spontaneous nostalgic recollections of a large number of people in Osun West District of Otunba Isiaka Adeleke contributions to their well being as evidence during the 2015 Senatorial campaigns. They were true testimonies, coming from grassroot people twenty-two years, after he left office as governor.

Senator Isiaka Adeleke is going back to the Senate, with dignity and very sense of commitment and dedication, to join forces with other distinguished Senators to salvage our dear country from various political and economic ills, that has plagued it for so many years. The Asiwaju of Edeland, has determined to throw himself seriously into the tasks ahead. He intends to use his God-given robust talents, native wisdom and charismatic virtues, that has over the years, endeared him to the people with a view to breaking new grounds in the red chamber.

Realizing, that the tasks ahead are not easy ones, the first executive governor of Osun State, has resolved to assert and exert himself fully, in fulfilling the cardinal policies of CHANGE, that has brought the All Progressive Congress (APC) to power at Federal and State levels. He is desirous in the pursuit of those things, that will enable Nigeria, returns to her position of eminence as obtained in the past. He is prepared and passionate to forge co-operation with all and sundry in areas of common political interests, with the aim of strengthening multilateral understanding for the emergence of a strong platform, that will help in moving Nigeria forward and for the All Progressive Congress, to fulfill its various promises to Nigerians and the international community. It is a challenge, which Senator Adeleke said, all noble men and women in All Progressive Congress, should commit themselves to without fail.

In the 8th Senate, Senator Adeleke would be a ranking member, who was also an elected governor in 1992, while most of other returning and fresh Senators were still cutting their teeth and learning the rope in the political firmament. He has contemporaries in this regard in the 8th Senate, in the likes of Senator Kabir Gaya of Kano State and Bukar Abba of Yobe State. The National Chairman of APC, Chief John Odige Oyegun and Dr. Ogbonaya Onu were also his contemporary governors in 1992. This infers, that Senator Isiaka Adeleke, is a senior ranking Senator, perfectly entitled to be given prominence of place in the affairs of the 8th Senate. It is his inalienable right to be accorded such respect and recognition. This is an unassailable fact. In Osun politics, he is primus interpares. First among equals. He should be deferred to as the political leader in Osun State.

He should henceforth assert himself fully as such, because he has paid his political dues over the years,  particularly at a time Nigeria went through political turbulence in the Babangida/Abacha years. Asiwaju Isiaka Adeleke, enjoins all members of All Progressives Congress to ensure, that they do everything possible to provide selfless services for the benefits of Nigerian at home and in diaspora.

It is a challenge, he said, which the Senators should always bear in mind and work to achieve. Senator Isiaka Adeleke is of the opinion, that the tasks ahead are tough and the road may be rough. He believes, that with God, nothing is impossible, for those with strong political will and love of the fatherland at their hearts. Adeleke is confident, that this resolve could be achieved, by members of APC, doing those things, that will enable Nigerians trust in them in their quest for a better life, which they richly deserve. He advised distinguished Senators to promote those bonds, that will hold them together as members of one family, while they draw closer to the executive arm of government to fashion out laws and programme, that are of immense values to the common people back at home.

Senator Isiaka Adeleke, is also of the opinion, that gone are the days, when politicians and political office seekers, could use their political parties as toilet papers and discard them. APC, he said is supreme, even than the President. Hence, the need for absolute loyalty to the party as a unit chairman of any political party is powerful than a local government chairman. History, according to him, will not forgive members who abadon the set goals of APC in making life more abundant for the less privileged Nigerians, who are living below the poverty line for no fault of their own, other than inept and purposelss leadership in the past.

Like good agricultural experts, the Senator is of the view, that APC members should remove all “weeds”, which may impede its growth, and if necessary apply ‘fertilizer’ to enable the party blossom and bear bountiful fruits. APC, Senator Adeleke stated, has a rosy future beckoning at it, if only its members will shelve selfish interest and self-aggrandizement. Left to Otunba Adeleke, the APC has called for CHANGE. It has got it. It remains for its members, to give poor Nigerians positive changes, that will put in the back-burner, the attitude of a few super-rich, that lord it over them. Poor Nigerians whose hope is fading, whose pain is excruciating.

For Senator Adeleke, twenty-four hours are not enough for all those who are now saddled with the responsibilities of running Nigeria affairs at various levels, if they must be seen, to have learnt from the experience of other parties, that fell by the wayside in the 2015 general election. With benefits of hindsight, Senator Adeleke is of the conviction, that Nigeria electorates are a lot wiser and ready to show any unperforming President, Governors, Senators, members of the other legislatures and Local Government Chairman, the way out with their votes, without batting an eyelid. All elected senators Asiwaju Isiaka Adeleke affirms, should identify closely with their constituencies as a matter of duty. In the 8th Senate, Senator Isiaka Adeleke is itching to re-introduce his earlier bill on criminal justice, such as parole, plea bargain among others. The bill was sent to the ‘cooler’ after his exist from the Senate in 2011.

Senator Isiaka Adeleke says what he means, and means what he says. Therefore, APC members should be like him and be above board, in the rebuilding process of Nigeria and her failed infrastructures. Senator Isiaka Adeleke is ready to discharge his duties at the 8the SENATE, as a mirror of highest standard for humanitarian services. The politician of note is optimistic that, APC would succeed as it cannot afford to disappoint the teeming Nigerians, who believe in it. Members, he said, should stand firm, and say NO to those things that may tend to divide them and deliver the goals and objective of APC to their countrymen and women.

The first executive governor of Osun State, is back in the SENATE, to exhibit the true virtues of OMOLUABI, which Osun State is noted for. We wish him and other distinguished Senators, God’s abiding grace in the discharge of their onerous duties. We count on them to give Nigerians a new lease of life. Four years is a very short period. It is a day away.

Former Osun State Governor Isiaka Adeleke is 60 today. Olumide Lawal extols the virtues of the grassroots politician who is seeking re-election into the Senate on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Senator Isiaka Adetunji Alani Adeleke was born on January 15, 1955 in the coal city of Enugu, Enugu State to late Senator Raji Ayoola Adeleke and Madam Esther Adeleke, both of blessed memory

During the civil war (1967 – 1970), the young Isiaka Adeleke was forced to leave Christ Church School, Enugu to complete his primary education at Alafia Institute, Mokola, Ibadan, Oyo State. He later attended Ogbomoso Grammar School for his secondary  education, which he completed in flying colours. A man with love for his hometown Ede, Adeleke was employed as a Rate clerk in the then Ede District Council, under the supervision of the late Alhaji Abubakar Adeyemi Alowolodu. This experience enabled Senator Isiaka Adeleke to have a very close rapport with the grassroot people, thus firing his interest in philanthropy and large-heartedness for the less priviledged. His meagre salary of N40 (then twenty pounds), was always made available for those in need to help themselves, without complaining.

The quest for higher education took him to the United States of America, where through doggedness,  hardwork and studiousness, obtained a Master’s Degree in Criminal Jurisprudence and Public Administration. This prepared him for future higher public service.

No man in Nigeria’s march to democracy has attracted more glamour. None is more  charismatic than the first elected civilian governor of Osun State (1992 – 1993). He exudes admirable ai, that arouse extreme emotions in friends and foes alike. Isiaka Adeleke electrifies any gathering he finds himself, becoming the cynosure of all eyes. It is God’s doing.

Urbane, upwardly mobile and brightly decorated in every phase of political authority. This profile of courage like an abstract force has settled at the heart of Osun State and held it in thrall. He walked the precipe without caving in. He traverses the political landscape like a Colossus.

Senator Isiaka Adeleke is a celebration of antonyms, who uses his wining spirit and streak to emerge the custodian of people sovereignty between 1992 and 1993. Nothing, therefore could stop an idea, which time has come ‘THE GUV’, as he is fondly called by his admirers, also arrive the scene with intimidating credentials – youthful, vivacious, witty and a scion of a distinguished political family, elegantly backed up by hard earned monstrous wealth and a galaxy of eminent friends, who were always there for him at his points of need.

Through hardwork, the grace of God and sheer luck, Isiaka Adeleke and his brother Dr. Adedeji Adeleke, set up many business ventures, which today has become a conglomerate, among which is the Adeleke University, Ede, an institution of yesterday, today and tomorrow. Who then, is querying the political authority of Otunba Isiaka Adeleke and his impact on socio-economic development of his fatherland and indeed, Osun State? Because, here is a man, who has given so much to life, asking for little, and indeed offering his wide shoulders for all to lean on. A rare quality, that has stood him out as first among equals. The man of the people in its true sense of it. A politician of note, who has corned many hunours both at home and abroad. They are too numerous to mention.

While in office as the first executive governor of Osun State, Senator Isiaka Adeleke achieved the creation of a zone for Ede, which today encompasses, Ede South, Ede North, Egbedore and Ejigbo L.G Areas with Ede as the headquarters. He took Osun State on global reckoning, having put in place, one of the best civil service in Nigeria and this has impacted positively on successive administration in the state. With lean resources during his tenure as governor, he facilitated many infrastructural developments in the nooks and crannies of Osun, inclusive of a buoyant economy for the private sector, a norm that was acknowledged by all and sundry, many years after he left office.

To Asiwaju of Edeland, civility is something that cannot be faked, as it is a frame of the mind, that can be cultivated with patience and discipline. Senator Isiaka Adeleke, therefore sees all Ede people and indeed those of Osun West District as his mentors and benefactors, to whom he owes a world of gratitude at all times and will do all within his capability, to promote those things that unite them rather than those that divide.

At 60, Senator Isiaka Adeleke would rather want his people to let them discuss issues that help the less priviledged, which is a way for great people to understand themselves, their characters and values. The greatest birthday gift his people of Osun West District could offer him,is their votes for a return to the Senate, to enable him continue to make life more abundant for them, through well-meaning developmental programme and projects, in addition to the federal government getting the 260 chibok girls liberated.

Be it recalled, that his tenure in the Senate between 2007 and 2011, brought a lot of visible welfare programmes to the people of Osun West District, as evidenced in awards of scholarship to indigent students, comprehensive health centres, I.C.T Library at Federal Polytechnic, Ede, motorized bore-holes in different locations in the Osun West senatorial district, various empowerment programmes for artisans in form of Okada motocycles; Saloon cars, hairdresser salon equipment among others.

In 1992 as the governor of Osun State, Senator Isiaka Adeleke partially solved the water problem in Ejigbo, Iwo, Orile-Owu, Ikoyi and Apomu by putting up mini-water schemes. This is in addition to the up-grade of satellite campuses of Ibadan polytechnic at Iree and Esa-oke to full-fledged polytechnic and College of Technology respectively, while not losing sight of his establishment of the Radio and television stations that are today Osun Broadcasting Corporation with various annexes. The cooperative College Odeomu, was also the brain-child of Senator Isiaka Adeleke as the governor of Osun State.

On coming to office as the governor in 1992, he filled the the vacant Oluwo of Iwo stool, which has been a subject of contention for many years. He gave Iwo people an Oba that made Iwo to grow in leaps and bound.

Having performed so well as a governor, Ede community on January 1, 1994, conferred on him, the prestigious title of theAsiwaju of Edeland (leader of all). He was able to secure appointments for Ede indigenes in the private and public sectors. In Ejigbo, Oba Oyeyode Oyesosin made him the Otunba of Ejigbo, At Ikirun, he is the Oga ‘Nla and at Iree, the Ajagunla. Otunba Isiaka Adeleke’s experience in the Senate between 2007 and 2011 has given him broader focus and clearer vision, which he intends to articulate the more for the benefits of the people of Osun West District on his return to the senate in June, 2015.

The first executive governor of Osun State, as an elder statesman, represents the rare breed of principled and committed politicians, who seeks the good of his people through humanitarian gestures and philanthropic disposition to all and sundry, without let or hindrance, is legendary.

To Isiaka Adeleke, our youths should not allow themselves to be used to destroy lives and properties. They should not allow themselves to make our nation volatile and unstable, because at the end of the day, no gains are recorded.