By, John Okon

 

Egbeda Local Government was created in 1989 out of Lagelu Local Government, both within Oyo State, Nigeria.

This remains a structure formally since 1961. It is a council bounded in the East by Osun River, in the North by Lagelu Local Government, in the South by Ona-Ara local Government and in the West by the Lagos-Ibadan Express Road.

However, finding has indicated that since the official structural existence, there has never been a female representative. Does it mean the council lacks, no! We could say, they were not ready then.

Following the Seat Reservation Bill for Women passage in Nigeria, the song is becoming danceable as an experientially ready-made female legislative aspirant is rising, who am I talking about? HON. TEMITOPE OLAWOYIN

Going by a world maxim,’ train a man, have a nation, train a woman train nations’, this maxim is a huge relevance to the present needed representation at the Egbeda State Constituency in the Oyo State House of Assembly in the forthcoming 2027 General Elections.

Hon. Olawoyin is a mother, life coach, philanthropist, discipline natured, quiet, development oriented, educationist, a grassroots politician, a household name, advocate of gender equality.

An alumnus of Polytechnic Ibadan, University of Ibadan and Covenant University in Banking and Finance, Science Laboratory Technology, Project Management and Construction and as well Public Administration.

The respected female positivist is a lover of good democracy. A woman of excellence. A source of joy to youths, women, and elderly.

Olawoyin is not a newcomer in philanthropy. She has started from the scratch of her life- when she was nothing. She helped known and unknown. ” Taking people’s care is a divine calling”, she says.

For years, the very respected female technocrat cum politician has extended various empowerment ranging from education, vocational and life building initiatives.

Plenty of unrecorded philanthropic gestures to young and old. The recorded were massively glorious. No constituent will deny the presence. This is a Godsent to Egbeda State Constituency as an aspiring lawmaker in this critical period. A Deborah of our time! Ever soft spoken but valiant in victory.

A coolheaded female individual is needed this time, as the entire Egbeda State Constituency has beckoned for her representation. As a matter of fact, her representation will enable due political inclusivity. We are not saying, men are bad, but women must be permitted to legislate for actionable development in this Constituency.

My sincere research has indicated that needed policies and programmes for the constituency can only be well legislated by a valiant female aspiring representative, particularly, Hon. Temitope Olawoyin. Why, she is the “Abigail and Mariam” needed for democratic legislative representation. Every woman is crafted for society growing. Olawoyin has the capacity.

A female grassroots politician who has served over 350 higher school seeking candidates scholarship, mentorship and free schooling, an unprecedented move so far by any female politician in Egbeda Local Government, though, she is yet elected nor appointed.

Olawoyin has greatly reduced joblessness among women and agile elderly through a grant-backed empowerment and training. No wonder, the loudest demand of her representation hit from women. Will Egbeda make their cry fall into a space? What will become the gain of women’s commitment, loyalty, anticipation, continual and unalloyed participation and focus all year? Women’s time is now, Temitope Olawoyin is dependable, a true legislative steward, and must be offered the opportunity, even if it will be this singularly, give a try to clear a doubt.

Before I will go for now, other zones of the state, such as Ibadan North, and Ogbomosho have consistently promoted their women in legislative business, this makes a new era in their massive participation and respect. The present appointed Director of Public Affairs, and Consumer Protection, Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau, Hon. Wumi Oladeji by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu was a-two term Ogbomosho North Lawmaker, succeeded now by another woman, Hon. Olubisi Ranti-Michael, other female from Ibadan North is Hon. Comforter Olajide Adeniyi, with credible legislative and all round performance. This is the time for Egbeda State Constituency to change the narrative and join winning team by fielding a competitive female aspiring state lawmaker, Hon. Temitope Olawoyin for grace and sweet.

 

John Okon, a grassroots democracy tracker.