Okemesi indigenes chart new course ... Hails Ambode for quality appointment of his team

The newly sworn-in Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode has been commended for his excellent selection of his team to run the affairs of the former capital of Nigeria, Lagos State.

Ambode, two days after being swear in as the third Governor of the state since 1999, went ahead to appoint his Chief of Staff, and other principal officers of his cabinet.

It’s on this ground that a group, Oke-Imesi Improvement Union, Lagos chapter earlier this week hailed Governor Ambode for the appointment of one of their own; as his Chief of Staff.

The group in press release made available to Daily Newswatch said the appointment of Samuel Olukunle Ojo, as chief of staff to the newly sworn-in governor is great service to the state and to the organisation. Ojo is a member of Integral Club of Oke-Imesi.

 “Oba Micheal Gbadebo of Oke-imesi, Bisi Adedire, Chairman Federation of Oke-Imesi Improvement Union, Lagos chapter and Barrister Kayode Olabiran, President, Integral Club of Oke-Imesi, and the entire members of both club including all the descendants of Oke-Imesi felicitate with Chief Olukunle Ojo on his appointment as the Chief of staff to Governor Ambode of Lagos State”, the statement reads.

Meanwhile, the group has urged him to use his new position to service humanity and God and write his name on the sands of time while pleading to him to use his office to better the lots of the needy in Lagos State and in Oke-Imesi.

Mr. Samuel Olukunle Ojo was born on 23rd April 1956, in Okemesi-Ekiti, in present day Ekiti State. He enrolled at the Okemesi Grammar School, Okemesi-Ekiti for his secondary education from 1970 – 1974, where he passed his West African School Certificate Examinations (WASC), before proceeding to the famous institution, The Polytechnic, Ibadan for the Higher School Certificate (HSC) in 1975.

As a diligent student, S.O. Ojo maximized his academic potentials and registered as an undergraduate student in the Department of Finance, University of Lagos, Akoka from 1976 - 1980 where he graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in Finance.  He joined the Lagos State Civil Service as an Accountant Grade II on 3rd August 1981.

Mr. Samuel Olukunle Ojo is a professionally certified accountant, among other qualifications; he is a Fellow, Certified National Accountant, FCNA, Fellow, Chartered Management Accountant, FCMA, Member, and Commonwealth Association for Public Administrators and Managers (CAPAM).

He has had a distinguished career in the Lagos State Civil Service and served in various Ministries/Agencies of Government, he received the Year 2001 Most Distinguished Officer Award (GL.15-16) in the Office of Chief of Staff, Governor's Office. Mr. Samuel Olukunle Ojo was appointed Permanent Secretary in the Office of Chief of Staff, Governor's Office in May 2006.

Last year, Okemesi indigenes under the aegis of the Federation of Okemesi Improvement Union, Lagos branch, charted a new course in their bid to complete the numerous projects and develop their town without waiting for the Federal Government and Ekiti State governments, to do it for them. 

Also, the indigenes, without much ado, demand the creation of Okemesi Local Government Area. According to them, the creation of local council area of Okemesi was long overdue; saying what they need now is for Okemesi to have its own local council headquarters.

To this end, the group on March 2, 2014 at the Civic Service Club, GRA, and Ikeja Lagos State re-strategise in their effort to complete the projects in other to develop Okemesi in Ekiti State.

The Union to situate their efforts carried out election following the end of the two year tenure of the past executive. Dr Yinka Olagunju, having effectively led the Union for two years stepped down after fresh election was conducted.

Also elected were TPL Bisi Adedire, now the chairman, Chief Idowu Fakorede, first Vice Chairman and Mr Ayo Ajewole, second vice chairman respectively. Prince Adeoye Dada won the Secretary of the organization. Other positions were contested and won: Folorunsho Oguntayo, Assistant Secretary, Mrs Nike Ekunnola, Treasury, Mrs Yemisi Odefunke, Financial Secretary, Alhaji Bakare Jimoh, social/Publicity Secretary, Mr Kayode Adelowo, Welfare Secretary, and Mr Rufus Gbadebo, Auditor. Dr Yinka Olagunju and Ropo Okumuyide were returned as ex-officio members.

His Royal Majesty, Owa Ooye of Okemesi-Ekiti, Oba Michael Gbadebo, Adedeji (JP), Ariyowonye 11, was recognized by the Chairman elect for the royal father’s support and his unquenchable desire to see the Union grow to an international organization.

Delivering his acceptance speech then, Adedire praised the ex-chairman and his team for their excellent efforts in repositioning the group’s plans and projects in the years past. He disclosed that he would continue the good work they started and build Okemesi stronger.

“Let me begin by expressing my profound gratitude to the executives as well as the entire members of this great union both in Nigeria and in the diasporas for bestowing on me this prestigious honour”, he added.

“I must say that your belief in me to head the Adedire union for this season has left me astonished and I’m committed by the grace of God to reciprocate your believes into action”.

According to the new chairman, the Federation of Okemesi Improvement Union had in the past, been a frontier in the development of the town of Okemesi, Ekiti State. He said the Lagos arm of the organization has immensely contributed to the progress which Okemesi has enjoyed in the past years.

He promised that the Union cannot fold its arm and watch Okemesi remain under-developed, adding that the union and her members were ready to continue the good work they have been doing to bring development that side of Ekiti State. He reiterated the patriotic efforts of the union members and urged them to continue to do more for their fatherland saying the reward of good work is more good work.

“I must sincerely recognize and appreciate the enormous efforts of our immediate past chairman in moving the union to where it is now,” he said. “Notwithstanding our success thus far; I believe there are landslide achievements that can yet be made. Therefore, in a bid for continuity and swift movement, I have reviewed some of our past achievements and some of the projects we are still working on which I think, we can together help bring to reality”.