By Amofin Titilope Akogun
For too long, the people of Kwara South have wept silently, yearning for a voice that truly speaks for us, for leaders who carry our burdens to the corridors of power. We have kept apportioning blames on other regions as the architect of our woes. We have kept ours in the dungeons, while other regions continue to lead the ace in Kwara State.
Since 1999, when Nigeria returned to democracy, our senatorial district, comprising Ekiti, Oke Ero, Offa, Ifelodun, Irepodun, Isin, and Oyun has been blessed with only a handful of representatives in the National Assembly. Yet, the story of our representation is a tale of two worlds: the hope and progress delivered under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) that was revolted against with the O to ge mantra and the stagnation that has gripped us under the All Progressives Congress (APC).
We Christened the PDP years as misrule and brought in the Otoge regime. But what has changed? Have we not even gone worse in terms of impacts from our representatives in Kwara South, without anyone agreeing to be held liable?
Representation for almost 10 years under the current reign seem to have gone on vacation. Who is to be blamed?
Perhaps I should ask, what do the lawmakers think our people want? We are not asking for crumbs and are not out to seek for pettiness.
Our people earnestly seek for landmark achievements that boost the economy of Kwara South. Federal Government institutions. Maybe I break it further, Tertiary institutions, Federal Parastatals and Job Hubs that empowers our people. We want leverages to grow in other to grow!
Ajasse IPO is thriving in Livestock development, how have we used that to our advantage to develop the community?
Omu aran has one of the best power supply in the state, how have we exploited this leverage.
Osi has a centre of KWASU, with a blossoming population that requires a centric Health centre and notoriously known for mass agricultural production that should attract factories.
Isin is very notorious for cashew production and the CBN anchor borrowers scheme is there to explore. We only need working Reps and a passionate Kwara South Senator, who sees Kwara South as his or her own State.
There is the dire need for a military formation to aid security and curb kidnappings from Omupo to Eruku. Who is willing to champion this audacious need of our dear Federal Constituency?
These are some of the ideas we should be exploring. IVTECH is in Ajasse Ipo with international training standards, what will it cost our Representatives at the National Assembly to continuously train students in such institution, while empowering them with substantial capital to start their businesses?
We have cried enough! It’s time to demand what we deserve!
Since 2019, Distinguished Sen. Lola Ashiru has occupied the Senate seat for Kwara South under the APC banner, including Our 2 Rep members with an APC led National Assembly and an APC Presidency. What are the tangible gains? What are our excuses?
I dare anyone to state one or two Federal Government landmark policies that signals a landmark federal establishment attraction to our region for almost a decade, while unemployment festers among our youth.
How long will our youth begin to get meaningful empowerment that will produce Millionaires that will give them the kind of leverage our Distinguished Representatives got, to have been able to get to the peak at the Red and Green Chamber?
How many times have you heard or seen our Representatives in Kwara South contribute on the floor of both the Green and Red Chambers?
We read the order paper of both houses daily and one would be forced to ask, where are our own Reps and Senator?!
I think we need to ring a bell of reminder to them, the responsibilities of lawmakers at the National Assembly. They need to start lobbying their colleagues with productive motions and bills that transcend to the infrastructural development of our region.
Our tears have watered the ground long enough, Kwara South must rise like a thundering Lion.. towards proffering a representation that build bridges, not walls; leaders who see our pain and act.
My name is Amofin Joseph Titilope Akogun. I am the President, BTA Foundation and a Proud Kwara Southerner from the beautiful city of Omu Aran.
