Rt Hon Abiodun Isiaq Akinlade: Mr Job creator transforms to Palace builders, Joy giver
By: Oluwaseun Akanji.
Hon Abiodun Isiaq Akinlade is a household name in Ogun State. He has been to the House of Representatives as a parliamentarian more than any indigene of Ogun State.
He is a fourth-term member of the Green Chamber, representing Yewa South/Ipokia Federal constituency. However, two things stand out about him. He is a pace-setter and all-around performer.
This time around, Hon Akinlade has asked all the Kings, Community development associations, and council of chiefs to stop soliciting funds to build palaces for their towns, He will build befitting and modern palaces for all the kings in his constituency, a project, no Lawmaker has ever dared to do since Nigeria’s independence in 1960.
In all, he is presently building twelve palaces across Yewa South/Ipokia Federal constituency and more than 30 palaces are in the pipeline.
He is the first Federal Legislator to provide solar power streetlight across his constituency in the Southwest and also the only one to have provided more than 1000 federal jobs for his constituents, no wonder the appellation “Mr Job Creator:
On Saturday, he was in Ipokia Local Government, where he began his political journey 24 years ago. The venue was at Agosasa’s palace, where the entire town, led by His Royal Majesty, Oba Abdul-Azeez Adesola Taiwo, the Oja of Agosasa. Also on hand were prominent indigenes of the town led by Otunba Akeem Adisa Adigun is known by the name “Socopao”
The monarch lauded Akinlade for all the landmark projects he has done in the town. However, like Oliver Twist, he demanded more.
In his submission, Akinlade said he has decided to build palaces all over his federal constituency because that is always the central point for all indigenes of the town and the first point of call for important visitors in the town.
“The palace is not just for the king. Community owns the palace and it’s for any king that ascends the throne but in my constituency, I have observed that our palaces are not modern, and as your servant and representative, I have decided to build a befitting one for you”
From Agosasa, the train landed at Ibafefin but not without paying homage to the family of one of his late leaders, Alhaji Saliu Falade.
At Ibatefin, where the team had gone to commission the reconstructed Ibatefin town hall, the Otun Baale of the town, Chief Peter Akano said Akinlade is a homegrown man, with integrity and honour known for keeping his promise. He remarked that Akinlade has never lost an election in Ibatefin and assured him that he won’t lose whenever he’s ready to run for office again.
“I want to assure you that the big one in Okemosan that you are eyeing, the whole Ibatefin is behind you solidly,” Akano said.
From Ibatefin, the train moved to Idiroko, Ifonyintedo, and finally Ihunbo. The message was the same, the turnout was massive, and the reception was electrifying.
“Whatever is your ambition, we are solidly behind you” was the message.
“In the next ten, fifteen, twenty years, our children from Yewa land will occupy various offices as Directors and Permanent Secretaries in several federal government ministries and Parastatals, all thanks to Hon Akinlade, I know that he has helped more than 1000 of our children to secure federal jobs”
In his response, Hon Akinlade assured the people that all ongoing projects will be ready next year, just as four new foundation laying ceremonies for other new sets of palaces will be held in two weeks.
“There are no new projects someone will bring to this constituency that I have not done before. We derive joy in putting smiles on the faces of people. We know ourselves because we have come a long way together. When the next journey starts, I know we are together”. Akinlade said.
