Femi Ogbonnikan
This year’s Ramadan may have ended, but the memories of the kind gesture by a chieftain of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State, Omo Oba Dotun Babayemi, will for a long time remain fresh in the minds of inhabitants of the various communities spread across Osun West Senatorial District. For many of them living in the Senatorial District, comprising 10 local governments, the tour of all the 110 wards in the district by Babayemi, not only raised their hope that they have not been forgotten, but also provided an opportunity to rub minds with him on 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, the Gbongan-born Prince and his team, moved from one village to another, one town to another, and traversed all the wards in the West Senatorial, preaching message of love, hope and presenting residents with gifts.
The two weeks visit to all wards 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 presented with gifts.
Also, on the same day, six wards in Ejigbo Local Government were visited.
According to findings, this year’s Ramadan period ward tour by Babayemi and his team makes it the fourth edition of such tour during the Holy Month by the politician.
The visit, though coming during the month-long Ramadan fast, was not only to solidarize with the Muslims, but also afforded Babayemi an opportunity to rub minds with the people of the Osun West and observe closely what their needs are.
Reminiscing on his experience during the 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.”
With notes taken by Babayemi during the visits, he is definitely more equipped now to undertake and successfully deliver on any major political assignment.