...To get all news updates, Join our WhatsApp Group (Click Here)
Connect with us on Linkedin (Click Here)
IBADAN — The ancient Foko axis of Ibadanland came alive on Wednesday as Hon. Engr. Dr. Aderemi Abas Oseni FNSE, Member Representing Ido/Ibarapa East Federal Constituency, Chairman House Committee on Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA) and the All Progressives Congress (APC) Candidate for Oyo South Senatorial District in the 2027 general elections, held a landmark Community Town Hall Engagement with residents of Foko and adjoining communities.
The town hall meeting, which was held at the popular Ike Olu Junction, Alasoro Compound, Foko, Ibadan, brought together an unprecedented mammoth crowd of residents, community leaders, elders, religious leaders, women, artisans and youth drawn from Alasoro, Ajasa, Isale Ashaka, Itamaya, Itasaku, Gege, Akuro, Abese, Koro-Elebu, Oredeyin, Oke Ado, Akako, Pakata, Ajolagbada and other neighbouring communities within Ibadan South East and Ibadan North East Local Governments.
The engagement is part of Hon. Remi Oseni’s ongoing statewide grassroots consultations and community re-connection tours ahead of the 2027 general elections, aimed at listening directly to the people and co-creating a development agenda for Oyo South Senatorial District.
In a scene that electrified the entire area, the federal lawmaker received a heroic and roaring reception as he arrived standing on the roof of a black SUV, waving to the surging crowd of men, women and youths who chanted his name and sang solidarity songs. The atmosphere was carnival-like.
The program commenced with interfaith prayers reflecting the religious harmony of Foko community, with prayers offered by an Imam, a Pastor and a Traditionalist for peace, unity and progress of Ibadanland and Nigeria at large.
Among the prominent leaders recognised at the gathering were Hon. Gbenga Opaleye, Hon. Dr. MKO Abogun, Hon. Wasiu Akere, Hon. Alase, leaders from Ward 5, and members of the Remi Oseni Committee of Friends (ROCOF), who were present in large numbers to honour the people of Foko.
Speaking on behalf of the host communities, renowned Islamic scholar and community leader, Alhaji Alasoro, commended Hon. Remi Oseni for what he described as his consistent interventions, philanthropy and support for residents and communities across Ibadanland even before his foray into politics.
Alhaji Alasoro said the people of Foko had followed Hon. Remi Oseni’s track record of performance in the House of Representatives and his empowerment initiatives for youth, women and artisans, noting that his style of representation is people-driven.
He made a special appeal to the lawmaker to mentor a young, vibrant and politically interested youth from the Foko community, stressing the need for experienced political leaders with integrity to groom younger people who aspire to public service and to give them direction.
The community leader subsequently presented a comprehensive list of community requests to Hon. Remi Oseni. The requests include urgent provision of transformers to address epileptic power supply, solar-powered streetlights to enhance security at night, motorized boreholes to solve water challenges, and massive empowerment initiatives for market men and women, artisans and youth. He also invited Islamic clerics present at the gathering to offer special prayers for Hon. Remi Oseni’s senatorial aspiration and political journey.
Addressing the gathering, Hon. Engr. Dr. Aderemi Abas Oseni began his speech with soul-lifting thanksgiving songs and prayers, appreciating God, the community members, organisers, religious leaders, elders and particularly the Awodele family for inviting him to Ward 5 for such a historic town hall.
In a very emotional and nostalgic disclosure that drew loud applause, Hon. Remi Oseni established his deep ancestral and birth root to the area, putting to rest any insinuation about his Ibadan identity.
“I was born in Alekuso, in Ile-Onilu House. I am saying this because some people may be doubting. I belong to Ibadan South West. I was born here but grew up in Ido. Foko is my home, this is where my umbilical cord belongs,” he declared.
The APC Senatorial Candidate also took time to speak about his professional journey before entering politics, recounting how he started his engineering career immediately after his National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) programme, how he built his engineering firms from the scratch, and how he has subsequently created direct and indirect employment opportunities for hundreds of young people across Oyo State.
According to him, his wealth of experience in the private sector as an employer of labour shaped his people-centered approach to empowerment, job creation and community development, which he has now brought to public service.
Speaking on politics and the 2027 elections, Hon. Remi Oseni recalled the 2023 general elections, stating that he secured the same number of votes as President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in Ido/Ibarapa East Federal Constituency, a feat he attributed to the love of the people and the grace of God. He noted that INEC’s 2023 election report confirms Ido/Ibarapa East as one of the strongholds of the APC in Oyo State.
With the 2027 general elections approaching, the FERMA Committee Chairman appealed passionately to residents of Foko, Ibadan South East and Ibadan North East to support APC candidates at all levels, including his senatorial bid and the party’s presidential, governorship and other candidates, assuring them that the APC remains the most organized platform to deliver development.
He promised that the Foko engagement would not be a one-off event, assuring that he would return for another, bigger town hall meeting to give account and deepen the relationship.
“I promise to come back. This kind of meeting will be repeated and I will be here. I will not abandon you after this visit. Our relationship has just started,” he assured.
Responding to specific requests, Hon. Remi Oseni immediately accepted the request to mentor the young politician from the community, declaring that the youth is now officially his mentee after confirming that he has a professional skill but wants to make politics his second address.
He also spoke extensively about his previous support for mosques and Islamic activities across Oyo South, including financial contributions to mosque development, support for Imams and sponsorship of pilgrims to Mecca for Hajj, while promising further assistance to the League of Imams and other faith-based groups in the Foko axis.
On the request to support an engineering professional from the community, Hon. Remi Oseni assured the gathering that he would make the intervention before the end of the month, in line with his commitment to professional growth and mentorship for young engineers.
On economic empowerment, the federal lawmaker said he had consistently supported market men and women across his constituency and beyond because of his deep appreciation of the role traders played in his own upbringing. He said his empowerment initiatives would be expanded across Oyo South, adding that larger and more sustainable interventions are being planned for artisans and small business owners.
Responding to the various infrastructural requests presented by the community, Hon. Remi Oseni assured the residents that he would work assiduously towards fulfilling them, particularly those relating to transformers, solar-powered streetlights, motorized boreholes and massive empowerment.
To demonstrate his commitment and love for the people, Hon. Oseni subsequently announced a ₦5 million instant donation to the Foko communities, a pronouncement that threw the entire Ike Olu Junction into wild jubilation, with residents chanting his name and offering prayers.
The historic engagement ended with renewed calls for unity, community development, religious tolerance and continued interaction between political representatives and the people, underscoring the importance of direct grassroots consultation and town hall democracy as preparations for the 2027 elections gather momentum in Oyo State.
...To get all news updates, Join our WhatsApp Group (Click Here)
Connect with us on Linkedin (Click Here)
