Osogbo-born businessman and philanthropist, Engr Kehinde Raji has stated that both former Governor Rauf Aregbesola and the incumbent, Gboyega Oyetola are like father figures to him and they will remain so.
Raji said this on Thursday during a programme tagged, “An Evening With Aaraj” held at his residence in Osogbo, Osun State capital.
The contractor said he has no intention to join the political actors, stating that his work and gestures are geared towards uplifting his people in Osogbo, which according to him are “too poor”. He also said he’s not bothered about the controversies surrounding his philanthropic gestures in the State, advising the aides of Governor Oyetola to be his best aide by telling him the truth.
Raji said, “I have never got any contract from the Osun State government, whether past or present. I have never had any relationship with any of the state accountants whether present or past. The only things I do here are when someone has been awarded a contract but needs an expert to handle it for him. That’s only time I come in.
“Let me state here that Oyetola, Aregbesola are like father figures to me and I’ll continue to appreciate them. God announced me in Osun State during the administration of former Governor Aregbesola in 2012 and I want to say that for that, I’ll continue to appreciate him. Oyetola, while serving as Chief of Staff, helped me to get my hanging funds after over three months.
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“I have no interest in politics. My people are too poor and my priority now is to uplift them to a level where they can get three square meals. This is my priority today not politics,” the Chief of Executive Officer of Aaraj Group said.
“I’m not bothered about the controversies surrounding my activities in the State. Whatever anyone says is his or her opinion. I don’t feel bothered and I believe the controversies will go down soon.” 49-year-old Raji added.
One of the keynote speaker, Comrade Wale Adebisi, who spoke on the theme of the event, “challenge of political succession” took the audience down the memory lane and explained what transpired during the military regime. He explained that the crisis facing the political space and political actors in Nigeria were creations of the ruling class.
Other panelists who spoke at the event are Dr Lekan Ogunyemi of Osun State Polytechnic, Iree; Legal practitioner and immediate past Chairman of Osogbo chapter of Nigeria Bar Association, Ramon Okunade among others.
Present at the event were youths from the three senatorial districts of Osun, politicians from all divides, human rights advocates, students, past beneficiaries of Aaraj empowerment programme and many more.
Kehinde Raji was born on August 13, 1972 in Osogbo.
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