WHY KOLADE AKINJO IS STUPID By Samuel Agboola

Drawing from the knowledge of different meanings in Advanced English studies, one can conveniently assert that stupidity is capable of different meanings, one of which is the ‘Writer’s Exclusive Meaning’.

It will therefore not be out of place, to posit my meaning of the word ‘STUPIDITY’, Viz; A clear departure from the status quo.

Expectedly at this Juncture, a level of curiosity should be crystallizing in the minds of my readers as to why I think Hon. Kolade Victor Akinjo of Ilaje/Ese-Odo federal Constituency is stupid.

Yes, he is stupid because his tenure as the representative of the people of Ilaje/Ese-Odo is a clear departure from the conventional ‘Business As Usual’.

From the inception of the fourth Republic of our nascent democracy in Nigeria, the people of Ilaje/Ese-Odo Federal constituency have given four persons the uncommon privileges of representing them in the national assembly, through the ballot. From the late Olukunle Mafo, to the late T.O.B Obolo, to Agboola Ajayi (the incumbent deputy governor), and then the late Nomiye Raphael.

Records of individual stewardship have however proven that in service to the people in representative legislature and maximum welfarism, the halfway tenure of Hon. Kolade Victor Akinjo stands out in excellence.

He is not only outstanding in unhindered access at all times, he also stands out in his ‘ever listening’ and receptive style of leadership. His humility and calmness in addressing issues is another reason why he is different.

Again, apart from the conventional empowerment programs common to his colleagues, Akinjo has taken an outstanding step further, in liberating his constituents by investing in their education, through several scholarships and educational support programs.

In terms of infrastructural development, he has constructed foot bridges in almost 20 communities in both Ilaje and Ese-Odo local governments to ease intra and inter community movements for his people and make commercial activities more viable towards boosting the economy of his constituency. Akinjo has been paying and still pays the WAEC enrollment fees for students in Ilaje/Ese-Odo federal constituency.

In agreement with the philosophies of Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Chief Adekunle Ajasin and Dr. Olusegun Mimiko, cemented together by the common advocacy for inclusive growth through democratisation of access to Education, Healthcare and other fundamentals of sustainable livelihood, Akinjo has argued and sponsored several bills on the floor of the green chamber for the benefit of his constituents. This has added more colours to his glamour as a true legislative champion of the common man.

He has demonstrated his love for his people and how much he prioritizes their needs through his water provision scheme – moving 54 thousand litres of drinkable water to the door steps of individual households in his constituency on daily basis. These and many more are the visible reasons why Hon. Kolade Victor Akinjo stands out as a clear departure from the status quo in the history of representative democracy in Ilaje/Ese-Odo federal constituency.

Don’t get me wrong, I am not composing a ‘praise and worship lines’, but I am simply writing as a responsible citizen whose eyes have seen the benefits of responsible, unusual, dynamic and epitomic representation in a representative who has established himself as a worthy point of reference to many others.

It is therefore save to conclude at this juncture, that he is not only stupid, but his stupidity is a celebrated one that has brought sustainable change and development to his people. Beyond the realms of pettiness in politics, Hon. Akinjo has justified and is ably justifying the trust and confidence invested in him by the good people of Ilaje/Ese-Odo federal constituency. For me, one good turn does not always deserve another, but should be a stepping stone to greater heights.