Hon. Chris And His Demonstration Of Legislative Representation Beyond The Norms.
It’s no longer a debated news that as the executive arm of government at the Federal and State levels (except for those States holding elections away from the statutory INEC national timetable) celebrated a year in office on May 29, 2024, the other arms ain’t left out particularly the legislative arm.
For over a decade in Ondo State, a state peculiar with its political sophistry, the independence of the State House of Assembly has been under the mercy, whims and caprices of the executive more so if it’s the ruling party. Only those loyal to the dictatorial dictates or possibly compromising stance of the executive helmsman can do much in the areas of oversight functions, empowerments/employments and even community development projects, from possible the approved constituency allowances.
However, we have some legislators that can go on in to prove their mandate of representation by giving back to the society even when government’s presence is not seen or felt in their intervention programmes.
Before now, unlike those days of yore, our representatives especially those close to the grassroots, State House of Assemblies’ members and the Wards’ Councilors, have been relegated to the back seat either for the power that be or to satisfy their self aggrandizement.
However, the emergence of the Distinguished Honorable representating Okitipupa Constituency 1 at Ondo State House of Assembly, Hon. Ayebusiwa Christopher with the political sobriquete “Chris” was greeted with sincere applause especially from those that knew his humane gesture outside politics.
Announcing him as the Chairman of committee on tertiary institutions and other committees which have direct impacts on the people was instructive and the leadership of the house got a commendable knuckles towards that.
Hon. Ayebusiwa Christopher’s giant strides go beyond the narratives seen of our past lacklustre legislators as he had demonstrated legislative representation beyond the norms in Okitipupa Constituency 1 and Ikale land as a whole even in the last one year.
He offers his account of stewardship on five (5) cardinal agenda which are with irrefutable evidences and human testimonies. These are:
Education,
Committee Engagements, Legislative Contribution,
Community Development, Employment and Healthcare
Welfare and Support
On Education, the toast of the common man, Hon. Chris organized a QUIZ COMPETITION among ALL PUBLIC SCHOOLS in Okitipupa Constituency 1 and the first three lucky winners got cash awards of #200, 000, #150, 000 and #100, 000 with other encouraging consolation prices both for the privileged winners and all participants. He partnered with the Professor Temi Ologunorisa -led Olusegun Agagu University of Science and Technology, Okitipupa {OAUSTECH} on the technical training of members of his constituents. Also, in his education agenda, he paid the school fees of students ranging from primary schools to tertiary institutions as well as distributions of books to the basic class across his Constituency.
His Oversight functions across all the state owned Universities, Polytechnics, School of Health, School of Medical Sciences heralds a new dimension in house committee engagement. His first hand assessment through the legislative tour afforded him to recommend that the subventions of those institutions be increased and other facilities provided. This is just few feats among other committees he belong to as member, vice chairman and even chairman.
Worthy of note is his legislative contribution towards the creation of additional 33 Local Council Development Areas {LCDAs} in which he his Constituency got a huge benefits.
Other noteworthy success mentions of Hon. Ayebusiwa Christopher are the employment of three constituents into Ondo State Board of Internal and United Bank of Africa {UBA}; organization of community health outreaches, offering diagnosis, testing, prescriptions, and free drugs; cash reward of One Million naira {#1, 000, 000} to 100 women to mark his one-year anniversary; appointment of legislative aides with fat salary above the current minimum wage; disbursing his first salary as a lawmaker among community leaders, religious leaders, party stalwarts, and unannounced philanthropic gestures void of media ruse to people within his constituency and beyond.
Unequivocally, Hon. Ayebusiwa Christopher has proved he’s not anti-masses with all these lofty innovation he brought into legislative duty especially in his first year as the member of Ondo State House of Assembly representing Okitipupa Constituency 1.
We can only wish him more feathers added to the caps of his Constituency and Ikale Nation as a whole.
Long Live Okitipupa Constituency 1!
Long Live Ikale Nation!!
Long Live Ondo State!!!
Ogungbemi Adeyemi Orimisan writes from the Headquarters of Ikale Ethnic Nation