The Allied People’s Movement Governorship candidate in Ogun State for the 2019 election, Hon. Adekunle Abdulkabir Akinlade, has revealed that he would establish a new ministry that would cater for trades and investments when he emerges governor.
Akinlade said this at the stakeholders meeting of the Ogun State Ministry of Community Development and Cooperatives held on Monday in Abeokuta.
Akinlade, who attended the event with his running mate, Adepeju Adebajo; the APM State Chairman, Patrick Oyatokun; the DG of the APM campaign Council, Chief Sarafa Tunji Isola; and other members of the campaign Council, said the ministry would be established to cater to the needs of the 90 per cent of Ogun State people who are into trade, adding that the ministry would as well coordinate investments in the state.
The lawmaker, speaking extensively on his plans for Ogun State in the meeting well attended by members of the Community Development Council, Ogun State Trade Council and Ogun State Cooperative Federation, reiterated his commitment to consciously develop rural communities and make them economically viable.
As a member of some key committees in the House of Representatives, Akinlade said he had gained some knowledge on how to access grant from both national and international agencies, and that he would apply same to get grants to help develop the state.
He added that he had had meetings with Managing Directors of top banks where they discussed ways of getting grants, and that the meeting informed his resolve to establish the new ministry.
He observed that the CDC contributes largely to the economy and development of Ogun State, saying he would never undermine that.
Akinlade said: “I know how important this sector is to our local economy, I know how important it is to Ogun State.
“We cannot talk about growth or development in Ogun State without you.
“If anyone talks about development or economy without you, the person doesn’t know what he is talking about.
“But I know you stand in a very strategic position in Ogun State, in our economy and our development for the future.”
The Chairman of the state Trade Council, S.A. Bankole, said he was prepared to mobilise for Akinlade having heard his impressive development plans for Ogun State.
The Chairman of the Ogun State Cooperative Federation, Wahab Elegbede, said he was happy to receive Akinlade and his team in their midst while promising to mobilise for him.
Elegbede pleaded that Akinlade maintains the mutual relationship the association enjoys with the outgoing Governor Ibikunle Amosun administration when he emerges.
The Chairman of the Community Development Council, Rasaki Ikupoluyi, said the association was 100 per cent behind Akinlade and that he would do everything in his capacity to ensure he wins the coming election.
The Chairman of Orimerunmu CDC in Obafemi Owode Local Government, Michael Akinfolarin, who also represented the youths of the association, said he and the youths had a different sentiment about Akinlade before he spoke with them, but were convinced after his presentation.
Akinfolarin said Akinlade was the “articulated governor” that they needed.
He said they have had in audience the governorship candidate of All Progressives Congress, Dapo Abiodun, but were not convinced about his plans for Ogun State.
Akinfolarin emphasised the importance of their association.
He added that the association boasts of over 1,600 members in each ward and would work in tandem with Akinlade and the APM.
He said: “We have 236 wards in Ogun State.
“In a CDA (Community Development Association), we have a minimum of 40 persons, and we have minimum of 40 CDA in a CDC (Community Development Council).
Forty times 40 would give us 1,600.
“Sir, can you boast of 1,600 loyal members of your party in a ward?
“This is how important we are, and we will all support you.”