Ekiti 2018: He Will Turn Ekiti To Japan If You Given Ojudu A Chance -SOWPROF

Agency ReporterApril 26, 2018

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Ekiti State needs a man of courage, honesty, and vision to be able to rekindle the spirit of handwork and honour that was the past time of the state, the South West Professionals’ Forum, (SOWPROF) has said.

In a statement on Monday, the group which has hundreds of Yoruba professionals as members said in spite of the lowly monthly allocation, human resources remain the greatest asset of Ekiti.

SOWPROF, therefore, urged delegates in the May 5 of the All Progressives Congress of Ekiti State gubernatorial primary to support Senator Babafemi Ojudu being the candidate that can reclaim the dwindling fortunes of the largely agrarian communities.

“Ekiti State has immense human resources. This can be turned into huge assets. Japan and Singapore have very little natural resources yet they are world leaders in many fields. Ekiti has an abundance of human resources in virtually all fields. The technical know-how of the people is amazing. We have confidence in Senator Ojudu that he is better placed to explore these resources for the greater good of Ekiti State”, the statement signed by SOWPROF President Chief Segun Ajibulu and General Secretary Adewale Adeoye stated.

The statement said Chief Ajibulu a fund raiser and consultant to several international development organisations has been in the United States for the past six months during which Senator Ojudu visited. His main agenda is to raise the profile of Ekiti State for economic and cultural fortune.

“Chief Ajibulu has been in the US for months, meeting potential investors. The responses have been quite amazing. Senator Ojudu also visited him recently while in the US. The investors are looking for an honest, credible and cosmopolitan leader who has integrity that the investor’s trust can protect their wealth. Senator Ojudu fits into this box. He has a glowing reputation as a conscientious man who has led a distinguished public service career without blemish,” the group stated.

SOWPROF urged delegates not to allow themselves to be bought by ‘desperate and overzealous aspirants motivated by greed, avarice, and vengeance.” The group said the main problem with Ekiti is the lack of a ‘creative leader that can turn round the mountains, the valleys, the lurch green forests and the thick loamy soil into economic prosperity,” adding that the state has largely been afflicted by leaders who depend on monthly subventions without the needed creative energy that can lift up the state from stupor. SOWPROF said it trusts that the concern of Ekiti delegates should not be to elect a candidate with the highest bidder, but that they should focus on a candidate that will take create a new spirit, a new order and a new generation of proud and flourishing people.

“We know Senator Ojudu will take extraordinary measures needed to make bring back the state from the brink. We need an unusual leader in an unusual situation. That is the only way to tame the long chain of poverty and the new trend where workers are owed salaries running into several months.”

The group said Yoruba professionals at home and abroad are waiting anxiously to give their full support as long as Ojudu emerges in the forthcoming primary. The professionals said Ekiti will slide into darker oblivion if a new leader emerges without the necessary global networking and the credibility needed to spur diaspora interest and bring investors into the state.

Ajibulu said “Our collective decision is to turn around Ekiti State and make the territories a hub of industry, tourism, and agriculture. We have been holding series of consultations involving local professionals and those in the diaspora. Our heart is with Ojudu. We know what he can do. We trust him. We believe in him. We know he has the rare candor and valour of a statesman. He will definitely lead a social and agrarian revolution in Ekiti State.”