AKINOLA KAZEEM — Last week, we journeyed through how Akinola Kazeem will explore the peculiarities of Egbeda, the Ona-Ara sister twins in the federal constituency. Many factors later show up indicating the importance of exploring opportunities to the collective benefit of the Egbeda/Ona-Ara. And most especially in the area of agricultural development as the main thriving operation.
Let me re-introduce the prelude of our last week conversation of understanding the peculiarities of quality representation in Egbeda/Ona-Ara—If yesterday looked too good for humans, why look forward to the birth of another freshness of the next morning? It is nothing other than the zeal to taste and test the new freshness of the morning that comes with new energy and fresh perspective to the day. That is definitely the state of human politics, people do not want to be stagnant with the present, but are striving to move forward to a new path of prosperity. Egbeda/Ona-Ara Federal Constituency is not left out of the move to a fresh energy and perspective of representation, and prosperity.
In Ona-Ara, the delineation of the wards and units making up the local government looks unique and highly interwoven. Ona-Ara is one of the ancient parts of Ibadan with many peculiar histories in the archive. It shares a border with Ijebu-Igbo of Ogun State from the far end—Araromi-Aperin-Akanran—and links Oluyole, Egbeda, and Ibadan North East Local Governments in the city areas. These connections show unactivated potentials in Ona-Ara that can be unlocked through strategic collaboration with these neighbouring LGAs.
One of the major challenges remains the road network. While some inner roads—constructed during the military regime of the late ’90s—are still in use, the key routes like the Olorunsogo–Akanran road have become a tale of abandonment. Though work started, it halted around the Ariyo section. Why hasn’t this road reached the Ogun State border at Ijebu-Igbo? Can the local government do it alone? No. Can a House of Representatives member execute it? No. Can the state government? Yes—but only with significant time and funding, which is currently being channelled into larger projects like the Ibadan Circular Road.
Then how can it be done? Through collaboration—one of the critical governance tactics Akinola Kazeem is bringing on board. Why haven’t the current federal representatives of Egbeda/Ona-Ara and Ijebu North/Ijebu East/Ogun Waterside co-sponsored a bill to compel completion of this vital route? The benefits of this linkage—economic, cultural, and infrastructural—are far-reaching. Akinola Kazeem is prepared to partner with colleagues and stakeholders across state lines to bring federal attention to this issue. He also acknowledges and appreciates private individuals and local leaders who are doing their part to manage the road while waiting for full government intervention.
Akinola Kazeem: Understanding the Peculiarities of Quality Representation in Egbeda/Ona-Ara (I)
In the rural parts—Wards 1–4 and Ward 10—farming remains the dominant occupation, although new housing settlements are springing up. These areas mirror Egbeda’s needs: timely distribution of fertilizers, improved seedlings, and regular training for farmers on modern practices. Akinola Kazeem is keenly aware of this reality and will work with relevant agencies to ensure these interventions reach the right hands.
More so, Ona-Ara is fast becoming a new haven for homebuilders. But infrastructure, planning, and services often lag behind the pace of settlement. What have these residents received so far? What are the gaps? And how can a federal representative complement what the local and state governments are already doing? These are the questions driving Akinola Kazeem’s design of a viable feedback template to guide constituency service and legislative focus.
Meanwhile, the main residential and commercial stretch of Ona-Ara lies in Wards 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 11. Businesses and houses are sprouting, but there’s a strong need for federal presence—projects, partnerships, and policies that bring visible and sustainable development. Akinola Kazeem, a proud son of the soil, isn’t vying for office to simply count years in the National Assembly. He is entering the race with a promise to deliver visible, meaningful progress to both Egbeda and Ona-Ara. Development must be practical. It must directly impact lives.
If going by one of his, Akinola Kazeem, assessment, the federal constituency is in dire need of development that goes beyond the power of a federal lawmaker, but with right dots and touches through engagement and collaboration with relevant and appropriate ministries, agencies and stakeholders, and even private sectors, he will try explore every opportunities to bring those desirable developments for the good of his people. The evidence of the wonders he can do is there smiling at us through some of his personal interventions across the federal constituency.
Once again to Akinola Kazeem, a chieftain of All Progressive Congress (APC) representation is not just a seat in the House. It is action. It is advocacy. It is the bridge between the people and the government. No stone will be left unturned when it comes to Egbeda/Ona-Ara.
In the next series of Akinola Kazeem: Understanding the Peculiarities of Quality Representation in Egbeda/Ona-Ara, we will take the conversation to lawmaking to explore the peculiar laws and legislations for the federal constituency.
Akintunde Yusuf writes from Ibadan, Oyo State.
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