Hon. Folajimi Oyekunle, the lawmaker representing Ibadan North constituency 1 at Oyo state House of Assembly has cautioned some set of politicians in his constituency and Oyo state, going around spreading a message that he is not an indigene of Ibadan, he explained that he is a typical Ibadan man as his forefather was born and raised in Ibadan by Ibadan man.
Fola while addressing pressmen at his residence in Ibadan on Tuesday morning said, he was disappointed having heard that a political leader from ward 4 in Ibadan North Local Government has turned himself into paid serviceman to label him an Alien in his hometown.
The lawmaker said he was surprised when the party leader stood up against him and claimed that he is not entitled to hold any elective position again in Oyo state because he is not an indigene of the state.
” I was surprised when this said self-acclaimed political jobber ganged up against my re-election, their stand was that I am not an indigene of Ibadan and even Oyo state, so they will not allow me to represent Ibadan North constituency 1 in the next election. I thought it was a joke, but I later knew that were all means through his actions because he has been paid to stop me by all means.
” This man because of selfish reasons went to an extent of painting me black for governor Seyi Makinde, said numerous bad things about me, and added that I am from Ekiti state, so they are not ready to allow someone from another state to hold an elective position here in Oyo state
” His backbiting did a lot of damage to my image but, my sincerity took me ahead of them, he did all he could to stop me from winning the primary, but I scaled through, I won. Even, after winning the ticket, I still try to forget all his ill manners, I extended love to everyone, but he remained adamant, all he wanted was to bring me down certainly.
” To me, I didn’t have any grudges against anybody neither with a leader nor party members, all I know his, stabbing me around, saying am not an Ibadan born, raised will never be a good selling point for anybody.
Speaking further, Hon. Fola explained how his father was born and raised by his parent who is typical of Ibadan origin from Jagun village via Olorunda Babasale in Lagelu Local Government of Oyo state,
” I was born to the family of late Pa Moses Oladejo Oyekunle, my father Moses Oladejo was born on 2nd October 1932 to a Christian family at Jagun village via Olorunda Babasale in Lagelu Local Government of Oyo state. His parents were the late Pa James Oyekunle Ajala and Alice Alake Oyekunle Ajala.
” My father, Moses, as a young boy helped his father in his farming work and loved playing football with his friends in the village. The thought of going to school did not occur to him nor his father until he was sixteen (16) years old when his father’s friend insisted that he had to go to school.
” He started school at Ebenezer Primary school, Olorunda Babasale in 1948. This was when he adopted the father’s name “Oyekunle” instead of Ajala, as his surname, to preserve the name. He later proceeded to Okusehinde Memorial primary school, Aremo, Ibadan from 1953 to 1955. He attended Local Authority Teacher Training College, Ibadan where he obtained both his Teacher’s grades III and II in 1962 and 1967 respectively. Furthermore, he obtained the General Certificate of Education in Geography from the University of London in 1970. Likewise, he also attended the University of Ibadan, where he obtained a certificate in Education in 1974.
” He started his teaching career at IDC school Alade in January 1957 and got retired at Army children’s school in April 1989. He worked in so many schools which include: IDC school Ariku-Ilegbon, IDC school Ofatedo, IDC school Apapa, St Thomas school Iroko, Community primary school Okanle, St Paul school Oke-are, St Michael primary school Yemetu, Mount Olivet school Bodija, New Eden College, Bodija.
” He was an active member of the Nigerian Union of Teachers. He became the treasurer of the Ibadan Municipal branch and between 1979 and 1981, he was the examiner of Accounts of the defunct Oyo state wing.
” My father in his lifetime was an active politician. He was a member of the Social Democratic Party (SDP). He was the vice-chairman of the defunct Lagelu Northwest Local Government from 1982-1983. Furthermore, he was Supervisor for Education, Youths, and Sports from 1992-1993.
” He became the vice-chairman of the same local government from 1995-1996. He joined the Alliance for Democracy (A. D) and later defected to the People’s Democratic Party (PDP). Pa Oyekunle was an active cooperative society member during his lifetime. President of Adeoyo(Ib) oredegbe CICS ltd Treasurer of Ifelodun (Ib) CICS Ltd President of Ajani (Ib) CICU ltd Treasurer of Ibadan/ Ibarapa coop.
” Leaders Movement Director of Oyo state cooperative Federation He was a prominent community leader: Chairman of Olopemeta II Binukonu Landlords Association, mountain;
” The treasurer of the Adogba Police community Relations committee and the Financial Secretary of Lagelu Club ‘88.Ven.
” He was a member of the Celestial Church of Christ, Yemetu Ibadan. He had served in various committees at different periods: Parochial, Elders, and held many responsible posts e.g. Chairman advisory committee, Chairman Disciplinary committee, Chairman counseling committee. He obtained an honorary Doctorate Degree in Theology from the United Christian Church and Ministerial Association, the USA in the year 1993.
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