Ex-Senator, Olajumoke, decries worsening insecurity in Ondo

Following incessant attacks on people and residents of People/Ose in Ondo state, an elder statesman and a former Senator, Dr Bode Olajumoke, has pleaded with the state government to rehabilitate the Owo/Ose road in order to reduce the insecurity ravaging the area.

Olajumoke who also appealed to the federal and state government and all security agencies to as a matter of urgency, come to the aid of the people by finding a lasting solution to the menace.

The former lawmaker who made this call during his remark on his 80th birthday, noted that the bad portion on the Owo/Ifon road in the Ose local government area of the state encouraged kidnapping, and armed robbery to thrive in the area, leading to death of several people passing through the road.

Olajumoke who was a senator between 2007 to 2011 expressed worry that the Ondo North Senatorial district, particularly the Owo/Ose federal constituency has become a haven for kidnappers and other criminal activities.

He said indigenes of the area could no longer visit their hometowns and relatives because of the activities of kidnappers who have taken over the zone because of the bad portions of the road.

He said “I have my children and grandchildren who almost turned back when they were coming to Imeri. The government should help us. A parent going to Navy Secondary School was kidnapped because of the bad road.

“The message from my people is that the government should repair the road between Owo and Ose local governments. Everybody is scared. We are afraid to travel on our roads. The roads should be repaired so that our people can travel by road.”

Speaking during the celebration, the governor of Ondo state, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, hailed the charitable virtues of the octogenarian and former senator, representing Ondo north senatorial district of the state, saying Olajumoke has contributed immensely to the growth of Ondo state and the country as a whole.

He said, “Senator Olabode Olajumoke is an exemplary leader, torchbearer and thoroughbred public servant, whose outstanding contributions to the growth of our darling state in particular and Nigeria in general, cannot be overemphasized”

The governor who was represented by his Deputy, Dr. Olayide Adelami, acknowledged the imprints made by Senator Olajumoke while in the national assembly, between 2007 and 2011.

He commended the organizers for putting together a befitting event to celebrate the octogenarian.

He said “A well-decorated political leader, Baba Olajumoke is a man of refreshing candour and philanthropic giving, who has touched many lives directly and by promoting policies that ensured no one was left behind, as he sponsored a bill that was signed into law to provide wheelchair access for the physically challenged in public buildings” the governor praised the celebrant.”

He commended Senator Olajumoke’s impact on his native community of Imeri, which he described as “immeasurable”, assuring him of the government’s support in his philanthropic drive, particularly the Bode Olajumoke Education Endowment Trust Fund that was launched at the event.

Remarking earlier, chairman of the organizing committee, Rt. Hon. Victor Olabimtan said the former Senator was being celebrated in recognition of his selfless public service over the years.

Olabimtan further described him as “the most time-conscious and easily accessible politician”

Appreciating the honour, Senator Olajumoke thanked the organizers for a successful event and appreciated the governor for showing up to celebrate with him.

The event had in attendance, members of the Ondo state executive council, led by the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Prince Segun Omojuwa, Chief Judge of Ondo State, Hon. Justice Olusegun Odusola, a former deputy governor, Ambassador Omolade Oluwateru, chief launcher at the occasion, Prince Rotimi Ibidapo, among other dignitaries.

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