Hon. Obalowo Olugbenga is the flag bearer of the PDP in the upcoming local government election in Oyo State, immediate Transition Chairman of the Ibarapa East Local Government of Oyo State for a period of a year and two months under the administration of Governor Seyi Makinde. Obalowo as popularly called was a one time Councilor of Ward 1 in this same local government. As a transition Chairman, he recorded alot of achievements, successes and embarked on developmental projects. However, there has been circulated misconceptions about him which this write up wish to clarify.
Misconception 1: Obalowo didnt do anything on insecurity.
Fact: With the insecurity activities that ravaged Ibarapa land, Ibarapa East under Obalowo recorded the lowest number of incidents, far below others. Obalowo had a working relationship with all security agencies throughout his stay inoffice. On December 23rd 2019 to January 2020, Obalowo mandated himself upon appointment and went on familiarization meetings with security agencies such as Operation Burst, Eruwa Police Area command division, Divisional Command , OPC, Vigilante Group of Nigeria, etc.
October 22nd 2020, four brand new Bajaj motorcycles were presented to four major local security agencies in Ibarapa East local government which comprises of Vigilante Group of NIGERIA, Hunters Group of Nigeria, Oodua People’s Congress and Police to help secure our farmways.
Misconception 2: Obalowo didnt do anything on developmental projects
Facts:
February 4th 2020
In line with Oyo State Govt declaration tagged ” zero tolerance for Potholes”, Obalowo’s administration embarked on rehabilitation of major roads that have suffered neglect. This prompted his administration to grade Chief Obadara road Orita and Area command road, Oke-Ola New Eruwa which made it accessible and motorable for our people.
February 19th 2020
Obadara personally supervised the grading of Otayanrin phase 1 and 2 Road, Young Men’s Christian Association ( YMCA) Road, Oke Oba
May 27th 2020
Obalowo ordered the dredging of stream beside Diamond Prince College of Health Technology. This was necessary to prevent good people of Ibarapa East LG against narrative of incessant and revaging flood disaster.
June 24th 2020
Dredging of OGBOGBO stream in Aborerin which has claimed life and displaced many before. Much was done to avert any further lose of life.
August 11th 2020
Obalowo’s administration commenced the construction of Oba Gbajumola/Olopoto road, oke-ola, New Eruwa. In which the drainage was made of Broken Rocks to give it long durability. There was stop over on the project during the raining season. By God’s grace, work will commence again in few weeks time when Obalowo is back as The Executive Chairman.
October 12 2020
Rehabilitation of Apode/Oja Oba Road Cross-Over Bridge. Also rechanneling of the heavy water way was done to avoid future damage.
October 15th 2020
The Team led by Former Speaker of the State, Rt. Hon Monsurat Sunmonu, Honourable, Commissioner for LG and Chieftaincy matters in person of Chief Bayo Lawal commissioned Two Motorized boreholes, one located at Alayande Anko, and another located at Sango.
February 23rd to 26th
Repair of some faulty boreholes across our 6 wards.
March 3 2021
Channelisation of Elere canal behind District hospital in preparation for 2021 rainfall.
March 5th 2021
Rigorous grading and gredging of roads across the Six wards of Our Local Government.
Misconception 3: Obalowo didnt do anything on health.
Fact:
February 15th 2020
Obalowo actively participated in the “End Polio Now” program with health workers, done from house to house for the children.
On February 21st 2020
Obalowo inspected all health centre facilities in the local government.
March 31st 2020
In line with the previous efforts put in place for preventive and precautionary measures to curb the Covid 19 pandemic, Obalowo’s administration distributed soap, hand washing basin, hand sanitizer to the community which includes Primary Health Care centre, Oke-Ola, Primary Health Care centre Isaba, Primary Health Care centre Temidire, Maternity Primary Health Care centre, Anko, Dispensary/ Laboratory center, Anko,
Towobowo market, Oke-Oba market, Okolo market, Temidire market. This enabled the people to prevent themselves through regular hand washing and proper usage of hand sanitizer and nose mask.
June 5th 2020
In accordance with Engr Seyi Makinde’s efforts in launching a community engagement policy as regards advocacy against Covid 19 pandemic, to work more on the compliance level of our people prevent the deadly disease from spreading.
This led Obalowo and The Honourable Commissioner for information, Dr Wasiu Olatunbosun to take Awareness advocacy talk to nook and cranny of our LG. Places like Eruwa New motor Park, Eruwa Town Hall and Maya Market , among many other places.
July 6th 2020
Distribution of Preventive gadgets ahead of School resumption in Ibarapa East LG. Items shared includes washing hand Basin which are mandated to be placed at entrances of each classrooms, liquid soap and nose masks.
Sept 29th 2020
Obalowo’s administration, in conjunction with OYSG and Cherith Pearl Eye Foundation flagged off the free eye treatement in Ibarapa East LG.
In which, Obalowo’s administration engaged the services of professional opthalmologist and opticians to conduct free eye test/treatment, so also distribution of eye lenses, reading glasses, eye drop to the participants.
October 21st 2020
Obalowo flagged off OMITUNTUN FREE HEALTH MISSION 2020 in which free health services was given out at Eruwa General Hospital. Services at no cost like free drugs, free surgical operations etc for thousands of people in our local government.
November 19th 2020
Provision of Accommodation and support for the Oyo vaccination team of Yellow fever & Meningitis through the FG. The program was initiated by FG but as a partner in progress, Obalowo’s administration monitored and supported financially to create awareness around the town for People to go to the nearest spot for the Immunization Exercise.
Misconception 4: Obalowo did barren boreholes.
Facts: apart from repairing the old boreholes, Obalowo’s administration drilled 4 new ones. 3 out of 4 are working well but with maintenance issue by the community. 1 has technical issue which is being resolved and will be resolved as Obalowo’s administration has called the company in charge to the observation and quick repair.
Misconception 5: Obalowo divided the party into two factions
Fact;
PDP in Ibarapa East local government has no faction and I want to clear you on that. We have only one local government party Chairman, one local government executive m members of PDP in this local government. There is no faction in the wards, there is no political ward you go to and find two persons operating as factional Chairmen. When you see a party that is growing like PDP, when big men are in the party, they will try to make sure that the party members are happy. They make the party alive, it is not faction. This local government is a very lucky local government and it is a thing of joy that we have two prominant persons from this local government in PDP, governance and close to the Governor. So, when you see our big men showing generosity, people classify that as faction, it is not faction. Both big persons have never for one day exchanged words, they have never for one day quarrel, they have never for one day tell anybody that this person is against him.
Misconception 6: Obalowo rules on the instruction of Chief Mrs Ogundoyin.
Fact: Iyaloja, Chief Mrs Ogundoyin is a respected figure both in the local government and state. After the demise of her husband, Chief Adeseun Ogundoyin, Iyaloja in her own capacity continued being a philanthropist. Yearly, she has been holding programmes for children and widows even before her son’s emergence in politics. Obalowo since these years back enjoyed a good relationship with Iyaloja. Should politics now break them? Iyaloja enjoys good relationship with everyone in the state even the Governor, is she controlling everyone including the Governor too? Bureaucracy in government doesn’t allow individual directives to hold especially in local governments where there are numerous career officers not from the town.
By God’s Grace, Obalowo will return to office as Executive Chairman in some weeks hopefully and consolidate better. It’s not always enough when things are being done for the community. He must put in more energy and show more results.
Power belongs to God through the people.
