A leading aspirant for the House of Representatives in Ekiti North Federal Constituency I, Engineer Olaoluwa Dawodu, has called for a decisive shift from what he described as tokenistic interventions to a more structured and sustainable approach to development in Oye and Ikole Local Government Areas.
Dawodu made the call while featuring on a social media programme, The Real Conversation, anchored by Deolu Oyebode, where he outlined his vision for the constituency and emphasised the need for practical solutions to long standing socio economic challenges.
The Australia based mechanical engineer, who has years of experience in the mining sector with specialisation in mechanical reliability, said his aspiration is driven by a desire to deploy his technical knowledge and global exposure to address infrastructural deficits and economic stagnation in the constituency.
He maintained that governance should be approached with the same discipline and precision associated with engineering practice, stressing that planning, accountability, and execution must guide public service delivery.
Dawodu identified the vast mineral resources in Ekiti North as a major opportunity for economic transformation, noting that communities such as Isan Ekiti are endowed with valuable deposits like kaolin which, if properly harnessed, could drive industrial growth and job creation.
He explained that the challenge has not been the absence of resources but the lack of structured planning, technical expertise, and political will to translate these endowments into tangible benefits for the people.
According to him, deliberate investment in mineral processing and value chain development would create employment opportunities for youths and reduce dependence on government patronage and political handouts.
The aspirant also underscored the importance of agriculture, describing the Oye Ikole axis as a key agricultural zone in Ekiti State that requires strategic repositioning to realise its full potential.
He advocated a transition from subsistence farming to an integrated agricultural system that supports production, processing, and distribution, noting that such an approach would enhance value addition and improve farmers’ income.
Dawodu further stressed that improved infrastructure, particularly road networks linking rural communities to markets, as well as access to modern farming inputs and storage facilities, are critical to achieving agricultural transformation.
On governance, he emphasised the need for reliable data, proposing the creation of a comprehensive constituency database to guide planning and ensure that development programmes are tailored to the needs of the people.
He also criticised the use of poverty as a political tool, warning that reliance on short term empowerment schemes has fostered dependency among youths and undermined their potential for self reliance.
Dawodu called for a shift towards sustainable empowerment through skills acquisition, education, and structured support systems that can create lasting opportunities for young people.
He further highlighted the role of legislation in addressing structural challenges, noting that effective representation must go beyond attracting projects to include policy formulation that promotes economic growth and institutional development.
The aspirant expressed confidence in his chances, stating that his campaign is built on grassroots engagement and strategic consultation with stakeholders, while reaffirming his commitment to delivering purposeful and impactful representation for the people of Ekiti North Federal Constituency I.