Tag: Akinyemi

Olajide Akinyemi is a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ekiti State. In this interview with ODUNAYO OGUNMOLA, the governorship aspirant unfolds his agenda for the Fountain of knowledge.

Why do you want to govern Ekiti?
I have sat down to analyse government policy directions over the years, for both the federal and Ekiti State governments and have come to the conclusion that if we do not chart a new course for economic reconstruction, we are finished. I am very passionate about providing this new direction. I am prepared to lead an economic reconstruction programme, through education, agriculture and tourism development. I plan to reduce unemployment by creating integrated agricultural settlements. This will in turn bring about agro-industrial revolution in Ekiti State and there will be job for all those who are willing to work. We have drifted as a people for too long from those things the average Ekiti man, woman or youth was known for; Ekiti was known for enterprise, resilience, integrity. Today, where are all these values and virtues? I am prepared to bring them back. We now need someone who can think outside the box; take the risk and do the unusual. Education should be positioned as a key factor in our quest for meaningful development. I am willing to make education exportable in Ekiti State. We must be known for something productive; the change must start from the minds of the people; the people must identify that there is a missing gap. These are some of those things that compelled me into pursuing a vision to change the face of things in Ekiti State. If you look at the youths of nowadays, how many of them are gainfully employed? Most of them have chosen politics as a profession. Ironically, most of our privileged political leaders continue to encourage this kind of lifestyle, as if it is the best we deserve. We must put a stop to this negative orientation. Politics will be better played when the active politicians are employed and productive.
Do you have the experience to manage a complex state like Ekiti?
I have military training. I was a cadet, in fact the second-in-command, during my school days at the Yaba College of Technology. I have been in the Ekiti State Civil Service. I am an entrepreneur and also a politician. So, I don’t think we can find a more suitable man for the highest office in Ekiti State. I am home-grown and a thorough-bred person. I am the credible alternative that we have at this time. As I said earlier, change must begin in the mindset of the people. The way things are now, our people are earnestly seeking for change.
Tell us about your background?
I am from Ikole Local Government Area. I hold a Higher National Diploma (HND) in Business Administration and Management from the Yaba College of Technology, a Post Graduate Diploma in Financial Management and a Master’s degree in Business Administration and management from University of Ado Ekiti, now Ekiti State University (EKSU). I previously worked with the Ekiti State civil service; precisely the Ministry of Finance and Budget. I am a business administrator, entrepreneur and agricultural consultant on large scale farming. I am very passionate about individuals being self-reliant and working hard to recreate same economic independence in others. I believe that everybody should be able live a good life, by enjoying the basic necessities of life. This passion for self-reliance drove me into the agriculture sector in 2004. Between 2004 and now, I have been able to recreate and mentor over hundreds of youths, directly and indirectly, in different segments of agriculture, including fish farming/processing, poultry/meat production, snail farming, irrigation systems development for arable and perennial crops farming.
How long have you been in politics?
I grew up in a political family; my dad, Dr. Albert Olajide Akinyemi once contested the governorship election in the old Ondo State on the platform of the defunct Social Democratic Party (SDP). I learnt a lot during that period. Since 1998, I have been politically active in Ekiti. I have been in politics for quite some time and I have acquired a lot of experience over the years.
But, your critics say you are not on ground…
It depends on who is making the criticism. I am a home-bred politician and I have always stayed in touch with the people. I am very much on ground, doing what is expected of me.
Are you not bothered about the long list of aspirants in your party?
If all the aspirants play by the rules, there will be no cause for concern. The battle should be taken to the grassroots; they should present their programmes to the party executives and respect party supremacy. In a nutshell, I am not concerned about the long list of aspirants. When the time comes, men will be separated from boys.
In your view, what are the major problems of Ekiti and how can they be solved?
Poverty is the main problem in Ekiti. The lack of human capital development contributes to the poverty level; people are poor and hungry. The national economy is also not helping matters. In times like this, people need to seek alternative ways of making ends meet. The government alone cannot solve these economic woes. There is a need for the organised private sector to be brought in to access the intervention programmes of the Federal Government and other international agencies in the area of agriculture. We must find a way to harness the potentials of the solid minerals and the education sectors in future. These would help to increase internally generated revenue and the gross domestic product (GDP) of the state.