ABEOKUTA – A Think-Tank Group in Egbaland, the Egba Economic Summit (EES) on Tuesday held Engagement Forum for Candidates Contesting for Legislative positions in Ogun Central Senatorial District.
The group said the intention of the forum was to sensitize the electorates and candidates on germane areas that will protect and advance the economic, environmental and political well being of Egbaland in particular and Nigeria in general.
In his welcome address, the President of the group, Chief Shina Luwoye said, Egbaland, being the capital of Ogun state deserves some special status to attain its economic viability.
The EES President explained that, political office seekers must dwell on some salient issues affecting the zone which include the vexed issue of the Water Resources Bill, True Federalism, Federal University of Medicine, Need for a Free Trade Zone in Egbaland, Petroleum Industry Bill, Environmental Issues, Control of Resources like kaolin and lithium, Education and need to continue to produce world beaters, Local Government autonomy, Autonomy for Judiciary, Decentralization of Police and Ease of Doing Business amongst many others.
Chief Luwoye added that, the Egba Economic Summit seeks to enlighten the citizenry and re-orientate them from tokenism and monetary demands which largely short-changes everybody after the election.
He said, “We are sophisticated people who should be more concerned about benefits for the society and greatest number of citizens more than selves.
“It will be unfair to think that we would always produce the Ogun State Governor. However, we shall always produce a Senator, 3 members of the House of Representatives and many members of Ogun State house of Assembly.
Egba Economic Summit believes that; for strategic reasons, we must now make the best out of what we have so that we can get the possible best out of Nigeria and our people for now. Senator Ibikunle Amosun who is our sitting Senator at the Senate has indeed milked honey out of rock by pushing the bill for the establishment of Federal University of Medicine and Medical Sciences in Egba Ogun State.
“There are much more areas that we can use the legislative and lobbying prowess, that is our pedigree, to secure our future unborn generations and nation. The journey starts from the engagement when we give opportunity to Egba people to listen to candidates of each of the political parties and appraise them of how prepared and competent for the tasks ahead. I also want to assure you that in two years time, and possibly yearly, this assembly shall be convened to get and give feedback to whoever represents us. “Egba Ile ibe ni olaju ti bere” is now a philosophy rather than a self-admiration.”
He, therefore, charged whoever emerges at the poll to ensure that the yawning gap between them and their constituents is effectively bridged this time around at the 10th Assembly.
He added that, there would be more developments in the constituency if the legislators give room for time to time interaction between them and their constituents to fast track even development in the senatorial district.
He, however, implored the people of Egbaland to refrain from selling their votes at the poll.
“As we go to the polls in a few days, we should be mindful not to sell our votes by voting for candidates of proven integrity and experience. This is the Egba standard and we should not compromise this”
Also speaking, the Alake and Paramount ruler of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo represented by the Baaroyin of Egbaland, Chief La Labode commended the organizer of the programme for placing priority on the value and development of Ogun Central.
The monarch said Egbaland would have become an independent nation if not for the amalgamation of Nigeria in 1914.
He charged the candidates to play the game by the rules and avoid any act that will be inimical to the growth of Egbaland and success of the poll.
Candidates present at the Political debate are: Labour Party’s Senatorial candidate, Hon. Abayomi Collins Sobande and his APC counterpart, Mr. Shuaib Salisu, the House of Representatives candidate for Abeokuta South Federal Constituency in APC, Mr. Afolabi Afuape.
Others are; Ogun House of Assembly candidate for APC Abeokuta South State Constituency 1, Mr. Oluwatobi Doregos, and Hon. Abayomi Tella, Abeokuta North APC.
