OrderPaperToday – Members of the House of Representatives led by the Speaker, Femi Gbajabiamila, as well as the Minister for Niger Delta Affairs, Godswill Akpabio, on Friday stormed the ancient town of Owo in Ondo state, in honour of Rep. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo who buried his father in-law, Engr. Benson Akinola Otegbeye over the weekend.
While the Speaker led the National Assembly delegation, the minister led a delegation from the ministry, as well as the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).
The event also had the political leadership of the state, led by the deputy governor Lucky Ayedatiwa and the wife of the state governor, Mrs. Betty Akeredolu and party leaders in attendance.
Speaking to journalists on the sidelines of the event, Akpabio called for support of the people of the state for the lawmaker in the coming 2023 elections. He said: “When you have done very well, the reward for good work is more work. They should give him more responsibilities because he has shown capacity and the determination to fight for the interests of his people. He has shown capacity and friendliness in his dealings which is why has been able to attract the high and mighty in the society, including small people like us (laughs).”
Tunji-Ojo, while lamenting the death of his father in-law whom he described as a father figure in his life, also expressed his determination to continue to fight for the interests of his people.
“First of all, I don’t refer to him as my father in-law, he was actually my father. He never saw me and a son in-law, he saw me as a son. He was a man who showed so much love. I could remember before i got married to my wife, he was there for us and after the marriage, he continued to be there. He had always being a pillar of support.
“He was somebody whose life and moral compass is a mode of guidance for my wife. And the kind of supportive culture that he trained my wife with has perfectly imbibed in her, which is one of the reasons why I’m so grateful to God to have such a wonderful person my wife”, he said.
On the legislative and governance side of things, Mr. Tunji-Ojo, who chairs the House committee on NDDC, stated that the legislature which he represents would continue to do its bid to ensure that the lives of Niger Delta people are improved through the Niger Delta Development Commission.
“Like I always say, we are partners in the Nigerian project. We are partners in the development of the Niger Delta region, the Executive will do its job, and the legislative arm too will do its job. So as for me as a person, I’m grateful that the Speaker of the House, Tue deputy governor and the governor’s wife, the minister and my colleagues from the House, as well as the NDDC leadership all came. This is not the time to play politics. This is the time for sober reflections and the celebration of life, and I’m grateful that every one of them found the time to be here with us.
“As to our people in the Niger Delta, we will continue to our best, in doing upholding their interests. We’ll do that which is to fight for their wellbeing. Like I always say, where NDDC was in 2019 when I became chairman of the committee is not where it is today. We had our storms, nevertheless, we are all in one government and we are here to make sure that the life of the average Niger Delta person is made better”, he assured.
Lawmakers who graced the occasion expressed solidarity with Tunji-Ojo, whilst praying for the repose of the soul of the deceased.
