It was a day of encomium as Mr Adekunle Taofeek Olashile formally declares his ambition to represent Ede South Constituency at the State House of Assembly, Osun State, under the platform of Social Democratic Party SDP. He gave reasons why he decided to join the race and what he has for the people if elected. He talked about his history and how prepared he is for leadership. He took his time to explain his manifesto and how they would be implemented.
The former National President of Ede Students diligently answered questions on national issues, ranging from security to health to agricultural sector among others. Below is the full transcript:
Q: Why are you contesting?
A: The word singular would not be appropriate in this scenario because I am not the one contesting but we. What I mean is that I have just been put forward to represent the interest of a large number of people, particularly the youth. It is our decision to challenge the status quo and support one of our own. A decision to run a government that will be all inclusive irrespective of age or gender.
Q: Now that you have formally declared your ambitions, how do you want to defeat the moneybag?
A: Truly I am not rich but I have the people and most especially, I have God. We will spend where necessary but politics shouldn’t be all about money. If politics is too expensive, then it would be hard to enjoy dividend of democracy. Even if I am enormously rich, I will not use money to deceive the people. I will make use of my history and manifesto which I will pursue if given the opportunity to serve. I can assure you that by the grace of God, we will put moneybag politicians to shame.
Q: Can you tell us your history?
A: I have a kind of history that none of the other aspirants can rival. My dad, Late Alhaji Hon. Musa Ololade was a man of the people. During his time, he lived for the people and always put the people’s interest before his. In short, he was a man of many good characters and he brought me up in such ways. Furthermore, I have served at various levels and I have been at the front advocating for youth inclusiveness in politics and championing the course of economic emancipation.
Q: Why do you think you are better than the other aspirants?
A: You see, let us put history aside and look at the quality of individual aspirants. If an aspirants finds it difficult to communicate effectively in English, then how do you expect such to represent your interest? If an aspirant do not know the meaning of gavel, how do you expect such to make a fine representative? An aspirant with questionable character will definitely make a mess of that office. We cannot afford to elect someone who will take two to three years to understand the proceedings of the house. I already know the proceedings of the house and it won’t take me more than one month to catch up with the returning members. I know how to get things done and I have a record of getting result. Therefore, if I am elected, I will use diplomacy and innovations to achieve amazing results.
Q: Are you saying you are more intelligent than the other aspirants?
A: {Smile} You cannot be the judge in your own case. The decision of who is more intelligent and capable for the job lies with the people. Ours is just to showcase our individual strength through our programmes.
Q: What are your programmes?
A: I have five major agenda, youth empowerment, protection of civil servants, flexibility in doing business, better health care programmes and agriculture. If I am elected, I will sponsor bills that will strengthen these five areas.
Q: What do you mean by protection of civil servants?
A: Thank you for asking that question. The major problem confronting Nigeria economy, particularly Osun State is the non-payment of government workers. But what we fail to understand is that this problem is not peculiar to one party. Many state governments irrespective of the party are owing government workers. The reason for this is that they all have misplaced priority. You cannot put infrastructural development above human development. It is my understanding that you can only grow the economy when you grow the middle class. The state governments should know that paying civil servants is not a privilege, but a right. The civil servants needs to be protected by law. Therefore, if I am elected, I will sponsor a bill that will protect the civil servants from epileptic payment of salary.
Q: How do you want to empower the youth?
A: Thank you. You will agree with me that the youth are the most energetic group in all societies. We are the driven force of any society. I can categorically say that no nation will grow until such has invested in its youth. If the youth are adequately empowered, it will reflects in the economy. If the youth are economically engaged, the society will be peaceful and productive but if the youth are not economically engaged, then it will be a disaster for the society. The society will be unproductive and above all there would be violence and chaos. I have designed a unique empowerment programme that will empower many youth and also turn some to millionaires.
Q: What do you mean by flexibility in doing business?
A: Doing business in Nigeria as a beginner is quite hard. In fact, it is highly frustrating especially if you are not financially buoyant. It’s quite commendable that the federal government is trying to ease the registration of business name. The issue of collateral and high interest rate is another thing. The business environment should be flexible for fresh graduates and young entrepreneurs.
Q: Do you have any programme for the old citizens?
A: Of course! I saw an old woman one day while talking to a friend. The woman looked very old and exhausted. She was exhausted because of the fire wood she had on her head. We walked up to her to assist her and I took the opportunity to ask her some questions. I discovered that the fire wood was for her to sell so that she can put something in her stomach. I wondered how much she will sell the wood. The truth is that if you give this old woman five thousand naira at the beginning of the month, you might still collect change at the end of that month. They do not care for any other thing apart from what to put in their mouth and how much would it take the government to adopt these few vulnerable old people. Don’t get me wrong, not all old people are vulnerable. If I am elected, I will sponsor a bill that will make it a right and not a privilege for the government to care for our old and vulnerable citizens.
Q: What plan do you have for the health sector?
A: There is a popular saying that health is wealth. One good friend of mine was a victim of our dilapidated health sector. He was in urgent need of medical attention but couldn’t get it because he couldn’t afford the payment. He is late now. This prompted me to seek an audience with a renowned medical doctor. From what we discussed, I think all the stakeholders, the government, the medical personnel and business moguls need to sit together and discussed a way forward. I mean a health summit should be convened. On my own part, if I am elected, I will sponsor a bill that will compel hospitals in Osun State both the government and private owned to attend to anyone in need of immediate medical attention even if such cannot afford it. I am pro live and I believe this is in line with the Hippocratic Oath taken by all medical doctors. Furthermore, the Federal and the State governments need to take a critical look and pay critical attention to the health sector. Hospitals need to be equipped and medical personnel need to be paid as at when due. And another issue of interest is the non-availability of medical doctors at government hospitals. If you have visited a government hospital, you will know that this is very pathetic. The ratio of doctors to patients at government hospital is so awful. Most government medical doctors do not go to work, they rather stay at their clinics. It is high time the heath sector is run like that of the judiciary. If a medical doctor wants to work for the government, let him work exclusively for the government and should be paid handsomely for his service. If a medical doctor wants to go into private service, let him do such at his will. It is my opinion that this will strengthen our health sector and better health service will be ensured.
Q: It is obvious that you have beautiful agenda, but how sure are you that you will be able to fulfil those agenda?
A: Don’t forget that I told you that I know how to get things done and I have a record of getting result. Furthermore, my late dad actually prepared me for leadership while I also work on myself every day. I am a certified diplomat and above all, anytime I pray, I do not just pray to get elected. I also pray that God Almighty should ease my agenda for me and make it come to pass.
Q: It appears that you are vast about national issue, what can you say about the crises between the Fulani herdsmen and the farmers?
A: You see, I have a penchant for knowing new things and doing research. At the climax of this crisis, I decided to visit the Fulani herdsmen that reside along Abere road, Ede. My intention was to seek more knowledge apart those on the pages of newspapers. We had a fruitful discussion and they told me a lot of things. What I will only advise is that a meeting of all the stakeholders in this crisis should be called. The government, the army, the police, the kings, the leadership of both the Fulani herdsmen and that of the farmers. All parties must narrate their own stories in their own way and from there a resolution agreed by all parties should be adopted. I think this will go a long way in addressing the crisis.
Q: On a lighter note, what crazy thing have you ever done?
A: {Laugh} Hmmmmm it was my first year in the university and there was this particular day that I was with my friends at a birthday party. There was a beautiful lady standing nearby and one of my friends placed a bet on anyone that can kiss the lady. So I walked up to the lady and kissed her unaware. Before she knew it, I had returned back to my friends. The girl worked towards me and I was very scared. I thought she wanted to slap me but she ended up kissing me deeply. {smile} It was really crazy that day.
Q: Any message for the electorates?
A: My name is Taofeek Adekunle Olashile, I am contesting for Osun State House of Assembly, representing Ede South Constituency. I am adequately prepared for this. I seek your vote, I seek your support and if you elect me, I promise not to let you down. Thank you and God bless.
