By Adeyemi Taiwo
The member of the House of Representatives, representing Oluyole federal constituency, Hon Tolulope Akande-Sadipe is the only woman federal legislator from Oyo State, and perhaps from the whole of South-West since 2019.
The Oluyole federal constituency representative has not only demonstrated a lot of understanding, but also built good relationships across party levels in the last three years as a ‘federal honourable.’
Unlike most of her presumed contemporaries and predecessors, who have one time or the other represented the same constituency she represents, Akande-Sadipe has been able to strike a balance and maintain peaceful relationship across party divides in her constituency. Little wonder her lovers call her ‘Ogo-Oluyole.’
With this amiable relationship cord she has striken across all divides, in a sane society, the House of Representatives member may only need to get some few support base from her party and Oluyole, to retain her seat beyond 2023.
Akande-Sadipe, though being a woman, is in her youthful 50s, and she appears to own an admirable level of understanding and maturity. Despite the enmity and disparage thrown at her person by the ‘oppositions’ within her party, she has demonstrated a cordial relationship with all, and has worked towards fairness and equity.
A fearless and bold legislator, Akande-Sadipe has come out many times to challenge the untoward attitude of many Federal Government agencies, under her purview as the Chairman, House Committee on Diaspora Affairs. Beyond the fact that she has stepped on many toes with her many call-outs, she has been a major factor for many achievements of the Federal Government in the Diaspora sector.
She has sponsored different bills for the development of the nation. No other person could have belled the cat in the Diaspora Voting Bill, that formed part of the agenda for the ongoing constitution review, before it was stepped down.
Akande-Sadipe co-sponsored a Bill to establish the Federal Capital Territory Signage and Advertisement Agency as the regulatory body for outdoor structures.
She also co-sponsored a Bill to empower the National Assembly and states Houses of Assembly to make laws to redress social, economic, educational or other imbalance in the society.
Many motions that could in fact help refurbish the nation has been raised by this gentle-woman, whose actions are in consonance with her true mind towards her people. Some of the motions she raised include: motion calling for compliance of the Police Force with the laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and proper investigation into the death of late Mr. Usifo Ataga; motion on the need to investigate the activities of Sanyo Police Station, Ibadan, Oyo State, in the case of an attempt to cover up a hit and run alcohol fuelled accident; motion on the need for urgent intervention in Oluyole to deter kidnapping incidents, farm destruction and request for compensation for losses; motion on the commemoration of the International Day of Disaster Risk Reduction – and urging the Federal Government to develop short and long-term action plans that will spur the political will, at addressing the national and local strategies for Disaster Risk Reduction as adopted by UN member-states at the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction in 2015; motion on the need to ascertain Nigeria in Diaspora remittances and its impact on the nation’s economy, the effect of the motion resolved the discrepancies between the World Bank and Central Bank of Nigeria’s figure of Nigeria in Diaspora remittances, which has also translated into remittances being paid in the originating currency; and motion on attacks on Nigerian traders in Circle Market, Ghana.
Other motions moved by Akande-Sadipe were: on the need to release trafficked and abused Nigerian women in Lebanon, who were previously prevented from being repatriated home, this translated into the successful return of the ladies; proposed amendment on a motion to tackle sexual harassment of children and minors; proposed an amendment on a motion on the issue of insecurity in Zamfara State, to be relevant to the whole nation;
proposed an amendment to a motion regarding the increased spate of sexual violence against female children and adults, by calling for police personnel to be held culpable, if they use their office to intimidate victims, aide and abate rapists; contribution to the debate on the issue of xenophobia and urged the Federal Government to create additional air lifting opportunities to evacuate Nigerians stranded in South Africa.
Her development strides across Oluyole federal constituency is earning her more popularity than the negative perception of her ‘enemies.’
As a representative, Akande-Sadipe has facilitated the construction of classroom blocks in 12 schools; all completed. These are schools that exist within Oluyole federal constituency, and are on ground for confirmation and they include: Alaho Grammar School, Alaho village, Ward 8; Ayegun Oleyo Primary School, Ayegun Okeyo community, ward 2; Ifelodun Community Primary School, Muslim community, ward 4; Longe Community Primary School, ward 9; Ifesowapo Community Primary School, Titilooe Boluwaji Yanaty, ward 7; Oyalami Primary School, Oyalami, Orita Challenge, ward 2.
Others are: Sanyo Agbamu Primary School, Sanyo Agbamu, ward 7; Methoduat Primary School, Ewebiyi, Bare community, ward 10; IGS Olode Primary School, Olode village, ward 1; IDC Primary School, Olonde village, ward 8; Temidire Agbamu model School, Sanyo/Agbamu, ward 7; and Kolomi Community Primary School, Liberty Academy, ward 2.
Akande-Sadipe, among other things sponsored students for the 2021 JAMB application forms and set up a ₦25 million TASK Scholarship Scheme for students in tertiary institutions.
She has facilitated 21 giant motorized borehole and water treatment projects in:
Olubi village, ward 9; Olode community, ward 1; Onila village, ward 3; Egbeda Tuba community, ward 3; Akinbade community, ward 6; Olubadna community, ward 1; Onigambari community, ward 9; Lead City University, ward 5; Seko village, ward 8; Ajisola General, AJISOLA village, ward 7; Alagbaa One, Alagbaa village, ward 7; Atere Etike area, ward 2; and Sanyo Agbamu in Snayo village, ward 7.
Other beneficiary communities include: Busura community, Muslimarea, ward 4; Agbala Paanu Iyana Cele in Orita community, ward 2; Ayegun Olojuori, Ayegun, ward 1; New Garage Mosque, New Garage, ward 2; Babalola community, ward 2; Owoade village, ward 5; Omiyale village, Olomi, ward 7; and Pako village, ward 6.
These factors and many others will likely work to the advantage of Akande-Sadipe as the 2023 election draws closer.
Despite the present disarray in which the Oyo chapter of the All Progressives Congress, APC, is in, Akande-Sadipe has proven to be a worthy ambassador, in whom many party stalwarts and stakeholders are proud of.
In fact, pundits believe that the party may get its house together to present strong candidates like Akande-Sadipe next year.
A source from Oluyole federal constituency said the ability of Akande-Sadipe to weather the storm in which many of her contemporaries could not has earned her respect in the local government.
She has successfully managed even distribution of some major wards, without any rancour among them. No one has negative perception against her.
There is assurance that her prudent way of addressing matters will help her, come 2023.
One of the political observers in Oyo said, “What Akande-Sadipe should be praying to happen now is for PDP to pick a candidate with a lesser pedigree as its flag bearer in the next election. Then the contest will be a walk over for the her.”
I still intend to write on her demonstration of smart political game in her constituency and in the House of Representatives.
Watch this space…
•Taiwo writes from Arapaja, Oluyole federal constituency of Oyo State.
