BY LAW IBITOYE
Executive Chairman of Ifeloju Local Council Development Area, Ilupeju Ekiti, Ekiti State, Hon.Olusola Michael Oniyelu, has appreciated God for lifting him from a Messenger status in Oye Local Government to an Executive Chairman.
Hon. Oniyelu who expressed this in an interview towards preparation for the celebration of his 50th birthday, attributed his rapid elevation in politics to God Almighty.
On the journey so far, ” I was employed as level 3 officer, in Oye Local Government after completion of my Secondary School in 1993. Today, I sincerely appreciate God Almighty who elevated me from that humble position in my local government to this exalted post, Chairman, Ifeloju Local Council Development Area, Ilupeju Ekiti. It gladdens my heart and to show gratitude to God Almighty, I have made up my mind to diligently serve residents of Ifeloju LCDA and show kindness to the masses irrespective of political party, religion, tribe or background”
The chairman said his 50 years golden jubilee would be celebrated to empower many people.”I am privileged to enjoy the benevolence of God and good people whom God used to place me on this seat which I treasure so much because the bible says we should not forsake a humble beginning.
Taking an excursion to his upbringing, the chairman said the death of his father at tender age made him face a lot of challenges that prepared him for the future. ” The journey was so rough at the beginning to the extent that I didn’t believe I could fend for my family not to talk of becoming who I am today, but in all , I give praise, honour and adoration to God who kept me safe and sound to attain fifty years on Earth.
“I lost my father at the age of 18 years and my mother was not working to frontally shoulder the responsibilities of catering for our needs; no assistance from anywhere. So, I resorted to menial jobs( labourer) to fend for my mother and siblings. Then I was in S S 2. Now I believe there is time for everything on earth, if I had not experienced that ‘sweet ‘situation then, I may not have been where I am today.”
“God has positioned me in politics to mould lives and put smiles on the faces of the masses and I will not cease doing that.
The chairman disclosed that he spends over #500,000 monthly to assist people. The council boss appreciated Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji for releasing local Government allocation as at when due which according to him has continued to impact meaningfully on the policies and programmes of Ifeloju LCDA, Ilupeju Ekiti.
Reeling out his achievements spanning six months, he explained that he built goats shed in Ilupeju Ekiti, graded over ten farm settlements across communities in the LCDA which include: Ilupeju – Omi afin, Odo- Ogan – Odoko roads , Aba Olorungbemi along Ifeloju secretariat. In Ijelu Ekiti,
Ijelu- Arogba Farm, Omu- Igbo Ayere, Osin- Itaji Roads, Ire -OSin -ita Adiye. Provision of facilities to the LCDA Secretariat among others.
On his birthday, Hon Olusola said over two hundred residents of the LCDA would be empowered on a date to be announced later .”Grinding pepper machines, sewing machines, clippers, Deep freezers, mattresses, spraying pumps, chemicals, farming tools among others would be given to my people as dividends of democracy ”
Hon. Oniyelu started his working career at Oye Local Government, where he spent seven( 7) years, Ikere Local Government, six months, Ilejemeje Local Government four (4) years, Ado Local Government, nine years as the council’s Pay Master and lastly posted to Ekiti South West Local Government as Principal Executive Officer on grade level 14, where he voluntarily resigned .
He attended CAC primary School, Ilupeju Ekiti, graduated in 1987. He Proceeded to Ilupeju High School and finished in 1993. Thereafter, he gained admission to Federal Polytechnic Offa, Kwara State where he obtained an Ordinary National Diploma and Higher National Diploma in Banking and Finance, and graduated in 2002.
The one year mandatory national service took him outside his Southwest geopolitical zone to the Eastern region in Imo State where he participated in the National Youths Service Corps and completed in 2003 .
Hon Olusola Oniyelu specially appreciated; Hon. Sunday Jejelowo Adunmo, Hon & Chief Mrs Kemi Olaleye, SA to Ekiti state governor on Gender Matters and Mr Akinsegun Babalola whom he said played significant roles in his political journey.
He pledged that he would forever be indebted to them and would continue to tap from their political wisdom and experiences to move Ifeloju LCDA forward and in future assignments