I am contesting to create an enabling environment for the youth - Olalekan Adeoti

 Olalekan Adeoti is a businessman, politician, and philanthropist. Adeoti is  2023 House of Assembly candidate for Ife South on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). He spoke to TUNDE ESO on his plans and missions to serve his constituency. 

Olalekan Adeoti

Brief us about your background?

I am Lawrence Olalekan Adeoti, fondly called Lekan Dlaw. I was born to Pa James Adeoti compound in Ogbon Aare, Ifetedo, Osun State, some decades ago.

I'm an engineer who serves as the Chief Executive Officer of Bethsaida Africa Development PLC and later founded Skyline Royal homes and properties limited, a private company, following years of work experience with significant progress with engineering and real estate firms.

I had my elementary education at United Primary School, Olode and St. Peters Anglican Primary School, Ifetedo, Ife South Local Council Area, before heading to Ayanbeku Memorial Grammar School, Ifetedo, Osun State, for my secondary education then proceeded to Ladoke Akintola University of Technology Ogbomoso, where I bagged a bachelor’s degree in Electrical and Electronics Engineering. I have served in various leadership capacities from my studentship till date and I'm married and blessed with kids.

What are your plans for Ife South constituency?

My aim for contesting for the seat is solely based on improving my people’s welfare and elicits social justice. I strongly believe the attainment of these aforementioned goals will bring about improvement in the standard of living and general wellbeing of the people of my constituents.

I envision a State Assembly constituency that depicts an epitome of true democracy which active consultations and participation of my constituents in the quest for the attraction of equitable dividends of democracy.

My mission is to contribute to nation building through promotion of legislation and legislative actions that would promote the growth of Ife South State Assembly constituency in compliance with the values of ideas of our party.

I have enumerated some agenda that will serve as guide through my representation. The agenda are subject to modification by the people I am representing at the Osun State House of Assembly, so as to bridge the gap between my wishes for my people and their collective wishes. 

 What are your agendas?

 I have six point agendas.

My first agenda is law making, It is significant that the legislature which is the unique symbol of our democracy advance its obligation of governance by constantly engaging in those legislative activities that would champion the yearnings of the people (constituents) who elect them to represent them in law making for the good governance of their state. 

   My mandate as I represent the good people of Ife South Constituency at the Osun State House of Assembly is to promote legislative actions that will continue to involve the people of Ife South State Constituency in the decision making process that would attract maximum dividends of democracy to our constituency. The promotion of the rule of law and active participation of my people in governance is always my watch word. 

Secondly, education is key to development of every state. I will be equipping primary and Secondary Schools with technological educational resources that will help upgrade the Ife South State Constituency, Primary and Secondary school students in comparison to their western peers if elected. Every spare of life today is increasingly been powered by technology and the future of our young ones is more secured if we place them on the path of technological know-how and competitiveness.

Thirdly, capacity building: my stewardship will be achieved through Agriculture empowerment in Ife South State constituency; through annual provision of Agro-Chemicals and Fertilizers for enhanced agricultural performance and productivity in the Constituency, there is every need for diversification of rural economies in order to ease competition for fix natural resources which often disposes communities to conflicts. Through legislation and constituency development, I will pursue the cause of equipping our young men and women with portable skills that are attractive to employment, self-sustenance, entrepreneurship and Agro Business. I will also ensure that little bridges and routes linking rural communities with urban centres are put in motorable shape to ensure proximity of goods to urban centres to boost revenue of local dwellers.

The fourth one is scholarship scheme  through constituency services, my representation will assist a

good number of constituents who are students of both low and high Institutions in areas of school fees, Research Works Assistance and other allowance which if am elected with improvement in the economy of the state, I will institute scholarship schemes that will specifically target low income families who would otherwise be unable to afford education for their children.

The fifth is job creation irrespective of the challenges of the Administration of the day, my representation will lobby and secure employment of a good number of my Constituents into the State Civil Service and even private sectors. Through legislation, I will continue to lobby and secure more jobs for my constituents and attract Skill acquisition programs by training and empowering Youths and Women with SMEs for self sustenance and to help alleviate Youths restiveness. 

Finally, health and poor access to basic health care in many communities continues to undermine the universal right of our people to live. The livelihood of a vast majority of Ife South State Assembly constituents solely depends on their physical well being as their occupation is largely farming which involves physical labour. On induction into the State Legislature, I will renovate messed up Primary Health Care Centres to some Communities within my Constituency. As a State legislator, if elected I will attract more health infrastructures aimed at making health care more accessible and affordable to my constituents.

Moreso, convictions behind my aspirant as I seek to be a representative at the Osun State House of Assembly, I have researched, listen and understand the yawning of the people of Ife South State Constituency, especially the unemployed youths who constitute the vast majority, the elderly who are without care and social security, the working class/civil servants who are struggling hard to make ends meet in order to send their children to schools in hope of a brighter future. Having consulted widely from all works of life across the people of Ife South State Constituency; Aare, Ayesan, Ikija 1, Ikija 2, Abiri Ogudu, Aye, Kere, Mefoworade, Osi, Oke Owena, and Olode.

My ambition was informed by my conscience that my people should

have a representative with wide and rooted tentacle to be able to lobby through cerebral display and other internal mechanisms influence more dividends of democracy to my constituency and set a pace for younger ones to thrive. These; are the core conviction behind my humble aspiration to represent the peace loving people of my constituent,; to be a voice for the silent majority, to embody the concept of a worthy ambassador of the people, for the people and by the people.

As a member of Osun State House of Assembly candidate, what are the things you plan to do differently if you win? 

My character is unquestionably intact and it's please me as of virtue to tell only of real ideas and promises. I am praying I should be able to do more but permit me to tell of the ones I am sure of On Education, I will support the Governor in enacting appropriate legislations to make significant reforms to the educational system in my constituency because as of today, 80% of the youth in my constituency subscribe more to education as their yardstick to earning a better future.  Same should not be taken for granted.

Also, this administration will invest in girls' education, women's empowerment and other initiatives to combat poverty in Ife South constituency.

On Health, i will definitely move  enforceable bills on health regulations. This will provide route to quality primary healthcare centres staffed with qualified medical professionals and facilities in Ife South constituency 

On Agriculture, Coming from the greenest part of the state. My intention is to make my constituency the food basket of the state.

Regulations favourable to the lives of will no doubt increase farm output. Engaging in activities with the current government, farmers throughout the entire Ife South constituency will have access to fertilizers supplies and proper storage facilities.

On Infrastructure, this is really the reason as a constituency we need to send a legislator who shares the same idea with sitting Governor. Nothing brings development other than a firm and untainted partnership of the legislative and executive arms of government. I know my Governor and I share of his idea of governance. Good Road System, Corporate entities that will give way for employment cannot be underestimated in governance. I will deliver Sport, Personally, I cherish talents when I see same. My administration will invest on sport and same shall be taken to the height it has never attained in the past. Another aspect is vocational trainings and empowerments for those who will chose to thread that part of personal development. We will be there for all.

How do you think people's Democratic party can win elections in 2023?

APC have disappointed Nigerians or how in a sane society will a government struggle to pay thirty thousand Naira as minimum wage to workers and a bag of Rice is being sold for forty thousand Naira. Where else on earth is that kind of insanity being practiced other than here?

The statistics is in our favour. The people are tired of this maladministration inclusive of their party faithfuls. 

Our party have made the right choice of candidate to unify the nation together and ready to run an inclusive government for all.  As it happen in our beloved Osun State, same will undoubtedly repeat itself come 2023. As a politician, I need not reveal our measures for winning but  I am confident on winning with wide margin.

What are your major plans for the youth and others?

Like I always say, it’s youth’O clock. One of my reasons to contest is to create an enabling environment for the youth of constituency. To let them know that they can be the agent of positive change our constituency deserves. There are lot of highlighted programs of youth development on my agenda list and we shall embark on the program one by one from my first month in office. It’s not only about the youth the aged, women, widows and others will be well taken care of.

What motivates you to join politics? 

I became motivated the moment I realized Nigerian politicians chooses not to practice democracy accordingly. It saddens my heart when public officers who earn timeous salaries still choose to syphon the allowances meant for infrastructural development. Therefore, I have chosen to come from within the very many concerned governed who knows about what we lack to join the government and make a difference.

Who is your role model and why?

 It is a very funny question but truth be told, he is Former Governor Akinwumi Ambode.

Although we are not from the same political party but I fell in love with him the moment he took development to his constituency. His infrastructural input to the likes of Epe, Ikorodu and other municipalities caught my attention to how liberation can be exhibited via politics.

Although the enemies of democracy didn't give him a second chance but I share of his attitude towards development. Also, My leaders like Honorable Niyi Owolade, Honourable Diran Ayanbeku, Honourable Akindele Famuyide, Honorable Remi Arogundade, Baba Olarewaju, Late Pa Odewale and others have always stood as role model to me in my political career.