A former Regional Director (Southwest) of the First City Monument Bank, Prince Abdulrasheed Abayomi Banjo, has pledged to uplift the standard of living of the people of Ojowo town in Ijebu-Igbo, Ijebu North Local Government Area of Ogun State, if elected the next Olokine of Ojowo.
Prince Banjo, who is also a former chairman of the Ijebu Bankers’ Forum, said that he decided to contest the stool of the Olokine in order to join in the development of Ojowo town in all facets of life.
The Agriculture and Real Estate consultant said in a chat with our correspondent that having worked in different areas in the private sector, developing the town and its people would be his focus, if given the opportunity to serve as the next traditional ruler of the ancient town.
Born into the Lawani Banjo family of the Epewu Ruling House, Etitale, Ojowo, Ijebu-Igbo, Banjo expressed confidence that the people of Ojowo would massively buy into his programme for the development of the town, when eventually unveiled.
Banjo, who is in his mid-forties, assured that his programme would deliver dividends throughout his reign and engender structured sustainable development for the people and the town, especially given his experience as a member of the research team of the Ijebuland Initiative on Poverty Alleviation.
He also said that since the future of any society rested more on its children and youths, he would be practically involved in the education and development of this category of the society.
He noted that most societies that have developed paid extra attention to the total upbringing of their youths to enable them to be able to sustain the legacy.
Speaking further on the essence of his commitment to the education of the younger ones in Ojowo, Prince banjo, who holds a first degree and three masters degrees as well the Fellowship of the Nigeria Institute of Marketing, pledged to personally take up the teaching of some subjects in secondary schools and higher institutions around the town with a view to raising the standard of education in the community.
He said, “I am a prince from the centre of Etitale Ojowo and a male descendant. Ijebu Obas are educated. I have three masters degrees. 21st century Obaship requires exposure and administrative experience. I left banking as a regional director (Southwest) and I have been to virtually all the continents of the world. I was instrumental to how FCMB came to Ijebu-Igbo.
“Obaship requires you to give back to the society. I intend to lecture at Olokine Grammar School and other higher Institutions around, free-of-charge. My exposure and connection will be used to attract businesses and promote employment in our community. I’m about the youngest of all the contestants and I’m loaded with the energy and zeal to work for the development of Ojowo
town.
“I will also attract funds for development projects at a single digit rate to encourage indigenes to go into farming and to better the lot of women. Peaceful resolution of boundary issues with other towns will also be pursued and high regards and respect will be accorded the custom and the traditional institutions of the town.”