Ramadan Visits: How Babayemi’s Message Of Peace Rekindles Hope Across Osun West Senatorial District

This year’s Ramadan may have ended, but the memories of kind gesture by a chieftain of the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) in Osun state from Gbongan, the headquarters of Ayedaade local government area, Omo-Oba Dotun Babayemi, will for a long time remain fresh in the minds of inhabitants of communities across Osun West Senatorial District.

For many of them living in the Senatorial District that comprises of 10 local government areas, especially the rural dwellers among them, who incidentally constitute the majority of the inhabitants, the tour of all the 110 wards in the district by Prince Babayemi, not only raised their hope that they were not forgotten, but also provided them with the opportunity to tell him and his team some of their needs.

From the far flung villages under Ikire town, to the border communities in Iwo local government, and less rural settlements across Egbedore local government area, the Gbongan-born Prince and his team, moved from village to village, town to town, and traversed wards in the West Senatorial, preaching message of love, hope and giving the residents gifts.

The two weeks visit to all wards in the West Senatorial by Babayemi and his team, began on Friday, 25th May in Ejigbo local government. All Central Mosques in Ede, Ejigbo and Egbedore, on that day, after Jumat prayer, were visited and with gifts shared among the people. Also on the same day, 6 wards in Ejigbo local government were visited.

On Saturday, 26th of May, 2018, wards in Ede South local government area were visited. On Sunday, 27th of May, all 11 wards in Ede North local government area were visited and gift items shared to the inhabitants.

On Monday, 28th of May, all 10 wards in Egbedore local government area were visited and gifts shared to the people, while on Wednesday, 30th of May, 2018, it was turn of Iwo, as all the 15 Wards that made up Iwo local government area were visited and gift items shared to the people.

On Thursday, 31st of May, 10 wards in Ayedire local government areas, were visited and gifts given to the people. On Friday 1st of June, 2018, all the 10 wards in Ola-Oluwa local government area received the team. Also on the same day, all Central Mosques in Iwo, Ayedire and Ola-Oluwa, after Jumat prayers were visited and gifts items shared to the people.

On Wednesday, 6th of June, all 11 wards in Irewole local government area were visited and gifts given out to the people, while on Thursday, 7th of June, 2018, 11 wards in Isokan local government area were visited.

On Friday, 8th of June, all Central Mosques in Ayedaade, Isokan and Irewole local government areas were visited and gifts given to the worshipers.

Also on the same day, 7 wards were visited in Ayedaade local goverment areas, and on Saturday, 8th of June, other 4 wards in Ode-Omu rural and Orile Owu were covered and gift items shared among the people as well.

According to findings, this year’s Ramadan period ward tour by Prince Babayemi and his team, makes it, the fourth edition of such tour during the Holy Month by the politician, while, if the team should successfully embark on, and conclude the tour being planned during this year’s Christmas, it would be the fourth of such trip also.

The visit, though coming during the month-long Ramadan fast, was not only to solidarise with the Muslims, but also afforded Babayemi the opportunity to listen to the people of the West Senatorial and observe closely what their needs are.

At Ede North local government, at ward11 Bara-Ejemu, the avenue could be best described as the one to fraternise with the people at the grassroots, most especially the aged and the youths.

Many A.P.C faithful, it was learnt, trooped out in their numbers, chanting songs to welcome Omo-Oba Babayemi and his entourage.

Babayemi, who could not hide his joy, took to the dancing floor with them. Just as he did for adherents of Islam in previous local government areas and wards visited ealier, he also put smile on the faces of those who welcomed by showering them with gifts.

Omo-Oba Babayemi’s team which had on board, some leaders from Ayedaade Local Government Elders Forum, which include; Alhaji Ademola Jekayinfa, Alhaji Abass Akinwale and a host other political egg heads, also moved to Buhari Ishola Ward and Oloogun Agbakin Ward 3, Alusekere Ward 5, Olusokun Sagba Abogunde and Oloba Atapara all within Ede town.

Addressing APC faithfuls at all the eleven wards in Ede North local government, Omo-Oba Babayemi explained that his love and passion for the people at the grassroots culminated into the visit.

He recalled his various humanitarian services, where people of the council benefited and maintained that provision of tangible empoyment for many learned youth, women empowerment and welfare package for individuals would be his focus, if his ambition to represent them is supported.

The tour of Ede North local government ended with a royal blessing by the TImi of Ede, Oba Munirudeen Adesola Lawal, Laminisa the 1st.

It was also a great outing at Ede South local government area, as Babayemi and his team, visited all wards in Ede city and Ede rural. In all the areas visited, a large turnout of women carrying their PVC’s welcomed the team.

Omooba Babayemi and his team, also visited all the 11 wards in Ejigbo local government, during which he again created an avenue for exchange of opinions with residents of the areas and he encouraged them to remain holy, even after Ramadan.

One of those that accompanied Babayemi on the tour, Alhaji Ademola Jekayinfa from Ayedaade local government said at one of the gatherings: “I give thanks to Almighty Allah for his mercy to bless this state and nation at large with Omooba Dotun Babayemi, he’s a true source of blessing to people around him.”

2018 Ramadan visit of Omo-Oba Dotun Babayemi across Osun West Senatorial District also took him to the 10 wards in Egbedore local government area.

Reminiscing about his experience during visits to the wards in Egbedore, Babayemi said: “A few things stood out for me, the number of women that are politically active in our district, their concern for their children was heartwarming and enlightening.

“It was an opportunity to listen and understand expectations of those who desire to represent them. It was awesome to engage at the grassroots. It has been a most humbling experience. I am grateful to God for this opportunity.”

In Iwo local government area, the team visited 15 wards, engaging people after listening to them. The team later ended the visit at the palace of Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdulrasheed Adewale Akanbi, Telu 1.

With notes taken by OmoOba Babayemi during the visits, he is definitely more equipped now to undertake and successfully deliver on any major political assignment.