MOB: THE ECLECTIC LAWMAKER
0
0
0
0
MOB: THE ECLECTIC LAWMAKER
By: Gboyega Ajayi
Michael Opeyemi Bamidele, MOB, the Senator representing the good people of Ekiti Central senatorial district and the current Leader of the 10th Senate, means different things to different people. Some know him as a courageous activist, legal luminary, smooth orator, shrewd politician, grassroot mobiliser, humane administrator, team player, and jolly comrade. These enthralling attributes must have influenced the then presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the current President of Nigeria, His Excellency Bola Ahmed Tinubu when he begged Ekiti royal fathers and leaders to give him Opeyemi at the Senate.
Speaking at the palace of Ewi in Ado-Ekiti during the Presidential Campaign Tinubu had said, “I have so much confidence in the competence, loyalty and integrity of Opeyemi. Give me Opeyemi Bamidele to work with me in Abuja.” There and then, a perfect alliance was sealed between the people of Ekiti Central senatorial district and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. MOB was returned to the senate through a landslide victory.
MOB’s victory is gradually manifesting as a win-win for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the people of Ekiti Central senatorial district. Today, MOB is one of the political stabilizers of the 10th senate. He has warmed himself into the hearts of his colleagues such that he is now an anchor that strengthens the effective synergy between the executive and the legislative arms of government to the delight of the president. Back home, Ekiti Central Senatorial District has never witnessed the level of dividend of democracy that MOB is currently facilitating to the district since the creation of Ekiti State, the land of honour. Tinubu got his wish and equally, MOB is confidently justifying the confidence his people reposed in him through the impressive and feasible dividend of democracy he is delivering to his people.
Providence has prepared MOB for whatever he is doing now. He worked his way into our national consciousness through his activities as student leader and later with his active involvement in the NADECO struggle to de-annul the June 12, 1993 election. Fate brought MOB and I closer in 2009 and yours truly was one of the few Ekiti citizens that accompanied him from Lagos to donate buses to the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Ekiti State chapter in 2010. Even though he was a commissioner in Lagos State his love for Ekiti State was evinced by the immeasurable support he gave to Ekiti people back then, especially the progressives in the State. Since then, the story of his good deed for Ekiti people is like the proverbial wine that gets better with age. As the leader of the 10th senate, MOB’s performance within and outside the hallowed chamber excites his people both at home and in the diaspora.
Giving and bringing succor to his people has always been the hallmark of MOB’s public service. Giving is good but knowing what and when to give is more important. This means to be discerning about what kind of help or support to offer people, and to provide it at the appropriate time, considering their specific needs and situation, often with a focus on giving generously without expecting anything in return. MOB is very good at knowing what and when to give his people.
In fulfilment of his humane desire to impact the lives of the people of his senatorial district with meaningful and feasible dividend of democracy, MOB within the year 2024, has facilitated several completed and ongoing projects amongst which are: construction of 1km of road at EKSUTH; construction of male and female hostesses for Medical Students of EKSUTH; construction of 500-seater capacity computer auditorium in EKSUTH ; construction of Intensive Care Unit (With Medical Equipment) in EKSUTH ; onstruction of Doctor’s quarters in Iyin General Hospital and construction of Intensive Care Unit (with medical equipment) in the General Hospitals in Iyin Ekiti, Aramoko Ekiti, Ijero Ekiti and Efon.
The list of his infrastructure programmes also include: construction of several internal roads in Igede Ekiti, Iyin-Ekiti, Aramoko Ekiti. Okemesi Ekiti and Ijero Ekiti; and construction of mini stadium in Ado Ekiti, Iyin Ekiti, Erijiyan Ekiti, Okemesi Ekiti, Ipoti Ekiti and Efon; construction of Administrative Building at Government Science School, Iyin Ekiti; construction of 2 blocks of six classrooms each at Igede Women Center, Igede Ekiti; construction of ultra-modern King’s market containing 40 lockup stalls and 60 Open stalls at Aramoko Ekiti, and installation of Solar powered borehole at Ikogosi Farm settlement.
In continuation of his “let there be light” project, he also facilitated completed and ongoing installation of solar-powered street lights in major streets of Ado Ekiti, Ikoro Ekiti, Ijero Ekiti, Iyin Ekiti, Igede Ekiti, Iropora Ekiti, Iworoko Ekiti and Aramoko Ekiti amongst other towns and farmsteads; and installation of transformer in Aramoko Ekiti, Igede Ekiti, Erio Ekiti and Ikoro Ekiti.
In addition to the humongous completed and ongoing projects, MOB has equally secured life changing federal appointments and employments for several people of Ekiti extractions. In one of my private conversations with him, he confided in me that things would surely get better as he is poised to facilitate more projects, appointments and employments for Ekiti people, especially people of his senatorial district who sent him to represent them at the senate. This eclectic lawmaker genuinely cares and equally knows how best to take care of his people. In the words of Abraham Lincoln, “nearly all men can stand adversity but to test a man’s character give him power”. The true character of MOB is a direct reflection of his great performance. May God bless Ekiti with more of his type.
Gboyega Ajayi, a Senior Legislative Aide to the Senate President writes from Ikoro-Ekiti
About The Author
