Members of the House of Representatives led by the Speaker, Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila, as well as the Minister for Niger Delta Affairs, Sen. Godswill Akpabio, at the weekend stormed the ancient town of Owo, Ondo state, in honour of Hon. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, the member representing Akoko North/East North West Federal Constituency who buried his father in-law, Benson Akinola Otegbeye.
While the Speaker led the National Assembly delegation, the Minister led a delegation from the Ministry, as well as the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).
The event also had the political leadership of the state, led by the Deputy Governor, Hon Lucky Aiyedatiwa,the wife of the state governor, Arabinrin Betty Akeredolu and parties leaders in attendance.
Speaking with news men on the sidelines of the event, Akpabio called for support of the people of the state for Hon. Tunji-ojo in the coming 2023 election as a mark of recognition for the good job he has done in representing the people at the House of Representatives.
According to him, “when you have done very well, the reward for good work is more work. They should give him more responsibilities because he has shown capacity and the determination to fight for the interests of his people. He has shown capacity and friendliness in his dealings which is why has been able to attract the high and mighty in the society, including small people like us.”
Hon. Tunji-Ojo, while lamenting the death of his father in-law whom he described as a father figure in his life, also expressed his determination to continue to fight for the interests of his people.
According to him, “First of all, I don’t refer to him as my father in-law, he was actually my father. He never saw me as a son in-law, he saw me as a son. He was a man who showed so much love. I could remember before i got married to my wife, Abimbola,he was there for us and after the marriage, he continued to be there. He had always being a pillar of support.
“He was somebody whose life and moral compass is a mode of guidance for my wife. And the kind of supportive culture that he trained my wife with has perfectly imbibed in her, which is one of the reasons why I’m so grateful to God to have such a wonderful person as my wife”.
On the legislative and governance side of things, the lawmaker who chairs the House committee on NDDC stated that the legislature which he represents would continue to do its bit to ensure that the lives of Niger Delta people are improved through the Niger Delta Development Commission.
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