THE SUCCESS STORY OF OLUFEMI ADENIJI, WHO WAS THE ACTING CHAIRMAN IKENNE LOCAL GOVT AREA, OGUN STATE (2011-2012)

While leadership to some people is an opportunity to enrich themselves, few others see it as a rare privilege to better the lots of the masses and put smiles on their faces.

Hon. (Barrister) Olufemi Sunday Adeniji, Acting Chairman Transition Committee,

Ikenne  Local Government Area of Ogun State belongs to the category of politicians who are in government to better the lots of the masses. He has not only demonstrated that he is really a man of action, but also, he has demonstrated an exemplary life of dedication, service and ultimate desire to transform the lives of his people at the grassroots.In fact, since assumption of office about a year ago, the people of Ikenne Local Government Area have had cause to smile and thank  God for giving them a leader with a high sense of dedication and service to the people. Call him a ‘God- sent’ and you may not be wrong. Indeed, to the people of Ikenne LGA, Hon. (Barrister) Olufemi Sunday Adeniji is a ‘God sent’ leader.

Despite his initial complaint of meeting the council in a state of decay, Hon. (Barrister) Olufemi Sunday Adeniji declared “I ‘m here to serve my people”. Indeed, he has proved his words going by the various laudable programmes he has carried out in almost one year in office. However, following his excellent performance, Governor Ibikunle Amosun recently after his assessment tour of the 20 local government areas, adjudged Ikenne LGA as one of the best local governments in the state. This commendation scorecard remains a direct reflection of a true visionary leader in action.

What Ikenne people are witnessing today is a realisation of Hon. (Barrister) Olufemi Sunday Adeniji's dream to delivering the dividends of democracy at the grassroots. He believes in carrying everybody along, and that is why, upon assumption of office, he did not overlook the need to consult with the various community leaders and opinion moulders, all in the bid to transform the area. Today, it has paid off, and Ikenne people can tell better.

Often times, people have had this negative notion that the third tier of government operates either appendages of the state governments or out-rightly has outlived its usefulness to the grassroots people owing to the activities of some corrupt politicians, but people like Adeniji, have proved that this wrong with their selfless services.

Being a one – time chairman of Ikenne Development Association, Hon. (Barrister) Olufemi Sunday Adeniji perfectly understands the problems and challenges facing his people. And that’s why, upon assumption of office, he rolled out a holistic programmes geared towards jumpstarting even development in the area. Prominent among the programmes, was the continued maintenance of the local government’s oil palm plantation which is  situated in Ikenne.

As one of the economic base of the council, the administration occasionally carries out weeding and pruning of the plantation. The last exercise was carried out between September and October last year. The palms were harvested after weeding as planting were also carried out in the same vein, the fruits according to the council boss had since been processed into palm oil in line with the states government’s programme on agriculture. Also, the administration boasted of collecting 1,000 day old chicks (pullets) for rearing last year. Today, the chicks are said to be doing well as various vaccine and medication were giving to the birds to boast their growth.

Apart from the administration’s concern for boasting agriculture in the area, its sustained health care programme restored the hopes of a number of indigent patients in the area and has given them reason to live a fulfilled life. His construction of a new medical centre at the now evacuated dump site in Iperu, and the renovation of two health facilities in Ogere and  Ikenne, remains  a clear testimony of his believe in the slogan that ‘health is wealth”.

Other achievements of the administration in the area of providing primary health care to the people, were the provision of equipment to health facilities, sponsoring of caesarian section and appendicetory operation of two indigent patients. Also, provision of Caesarian section and appendicetory packs to care for emergency operations, sponsoring of vision screening and provision of eye glasses and drugs to patients screened according to their needs, as well as taking care and transportation of abandoned baby welfare department in Abeokuta.

Furthermore, considering the importance of water to human life, the administration embarked on the drilling of boreholes in some communities in the area. Such communities that benefited from this project included; Ademo/Abara quarter, IIisan, Oja-ale market, Iperu, Yawa, Ikenne, Ogere market amongst others. 

Also, the administration undertook the rehabilitation of  solar borehole at Oke-Ola street, Ilisan, as well as the ancient shrine at Ikenne market, construction of open- stores at Ogere and Ikenne markets. In the area of sanitasizing the environment, the administration, carried out a number of laudable projects, including the clearing of dump sites within the local council, prominent among them was the evacuation of debris/silts from the blocked drainage system in the area, cutting of roads verges with the council, landscaping the median of the road, and procurement of reflective safety jackets for participants during environmental sanitation day exercise which the council observes monthly.

Despite facing a lot of distraction from his opponents, the council boss has remained resolute and determined to give the people the best of governance at the grassroots.