Iwoland politicians, from First Republic till date, are moderate, and are conscious of where they come from. They cherish their names and believe that money is not everything.
Mark my word, I am not saying that our Iwoland political leaders are saints and hate money. No ! But when you compare ours with with their colleagues elsewhere (within Nigerian context), you would agree with me Iwoland breeds of politicians are near saints.
Let us briefly X-ray some of our political leaders.
The Late Prince Tiamiyu Alade LAMUYE began his political career in 1951/1952 by contesting and winning a councillorship seat at the newly created All Purposes (Iwo) District Council.
In 1959, Lamuye was elected as Hon. Member of House of Representatives.
On the 1st October, 1960, he was elevated. He became Nigeria’s Junior Minister (Minister of State) in the Federal Ministry of Finance. He served in that capacity till 15th January, 1966 when First Republic was sacked by military junta.
The new Military Government probed the political leaders it had earlier toppled. The Iwo Prince was probed like his peers, but the Federal Government said he was clean.
Subsequently, the Western Regional Government, under the governorship of Colonel Adeyinka ADEBAYO, made him a Regional Minister (1967-1971).
Between 1981 and 1983, Lamuye was appointed a director of Nigeria Airways by President Shehu Aliyu SHAGARI.
Otunba G Adebayo AREMU, a foremost lawyer, was reputed to have been our Iwo Local Government Chairman (1973-1976). He, along with his Councillors, served without salaries. One of the selfless Councillors was the Late Pa Akintayo AMERE.
Lawyer Lasisi Eniola ATANDA was a foremost, finest, successful lawyer and political giant.
He was elected as a Councillor and was elected by his councillor-colleagues as Chairman of Iwo Local Government in 1976-1978.
Within that period, he transformed the Local Government. Even in death, we still see him as our leader.
Prince Ashiru OLATUBOSUN was a teacher, politician and later traditional ruler.
Succeeded Lawyer Atanda as the Chairman, Iwo LG in 1978. He piloted the affairs of the Council to admiration of Atanda and the entire people of the area.
The Late Prince LAB KATAYEYANJUE was a colleague of Pa Atanda at the Iwo LG. In 1979, he was elected as Hon. Member of House of Representatives, Lagos.
Until he passed on some two years ago, he was a political leader in Osun State in general and AYIWOLA Federal Government in particular.
Let me come to this generation.
Hon. Mudashiru Toogun OGUNTOLA was elected as an Hon. Member of House of Representatives between 1992 and 1993. He was reputed to be on the side of the Nigerian people. It is an open secret that he declined all juicy packages put across to him as a Representative at the National Assembly, Abuja by the Federal Government. He came back to Iwo clean.
Prince Hamidu TADESE was at the Osun State House of Assembly. He was the first Chief Whip of the First Assembly (1992-93).
As Hon. Oguntola, he returned home after General Sani Abacha truncated the Third Republic on 18th November, 1993.
Hon. Tajudeen Ayofe ADISA was a very vibrant Member of Osun State House of Assembly (1999-2003). He was known to be a legislator who was always coming daily basis and fed his constituents happenings in the House. He took orders from the people on what to do at the floor of the Parliament, especially on controversial knotty issues like Governor Bisi AKANDE’s impeachment saga.
Senator Sunday Fajinmi; Hons Femi KEHINDE; George Oyewole JOLAOYE; Gafari AKINTAYO (both – National Assembly); and Sunday Olufemi ORONIYI; Ezekiel Adedibu ADEYEMO; and Abdullai IBRAHEEM (State Assembly).
Not forgetting a foremost journalist cum media administrator Elhaji Liad TELLA’s sojourn at the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria. He did not spoil his seat. Just as he never defecated on his previous political appointments. Ditto for our SSG – Alhajis Fatai AKINBADE, Kazeem ADIO, Moshood ADEOTI. The same good record goes for Princess Funmi LAMUYE; Mrs Folake ADEGBOYEGA and Mallam Olawale RASHEED.
I am sure that there are MORE political leaders (from Iwoland) who had served Osun State, I just randomly chose the above public figures to serve as a case study.
Like I always say, let DSS, EFFC, ICPC among others, continue to comb Nigeria with their searchlight, no Iwoland person would be indicted. We are Omoluabi to the core.
ON IWOLOKAN PROJECT
To my mind, Iwoland is blessed with people who are always conscious of their family names. ‘Ranti omo eni ti iwo (you) n se’. Literally meaning: ‘remember the child of whom you are’.
I think that what we could do on our much cherished IWOLOKAN Project, is to adopt Iwoland born candidate for support. Our community and political leaders would have talk to his head on what and what we want from his state government. I am sure he won’t disappoint IWO Federal Constituency likewise the entire Osun State.
Thank you !
Kunle ALABI, MNIM
(Justice of The Peace),
Iwo, Nigeria.
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