Chief Kolade Victor Akinjo is a native of Itebu-Kunmi in Ilaje Local Government area of Ondo State. He was born on 11th July, 1972 into a Christian family. Chief Akinjo is a man of mission and vision, focused leader that has passion for accelerated development and good standard of living of his people.
Chief Akinjo who was the Student Union Government (SUG) President of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife in 1998 and Life Member of National Association of Nigeria Students (NANS), is a kind and generous man whose physical appearance, his candour, his cosmopolitan outlook and deep knowledge of prevailing politics and environment are admirable.
Chief Akinjo who was the Personal Assistant (1999- 2006) and Special Assistant (2006- May 2007) to the former President Olusegun Obasanjo on Student and Youth Affairs, has an unbriddled passion for developing the coastal areas. According to him, Ilaje/Ese-Odo Federal Constituency with one of the longest coastal areas in Nigeria, had been taken along as a landlord loosing.. and that has been deprived the opportunity of development.
Chief Akinjo, the Chairman of Kolade Akinjo Foundation for Advancement and Development (KAFAD), Chairman, Vabe Glory Nigeria Limited, KKK Energy and Oil Services and Elkunmi Global Service Limited, is a man of high credibility and also a constructive critic. He is an Ilaje man that played a major role in the creation of Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).
In an encounter with him recently in his house in Akure, he spoke about his aspiration in the forthcoming Governorship election in the State under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.
Can you give us a brief insight into your educational background Sir?
I attended St. Lukes Anglican Primary School, Itebu-Kunmi, Ondo State. I was the Senior Prefect of the School and obtained my Primary School Leaving Certificate in 1983 and West African Examination Certificate at Oyemekun Grammar School, Akure, Ondo State. I proceeded to Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife to study Agricultural Economics and came out with 2nd Class Upper in 1999. I went further to University of Jos and had Advance Diploma in Law and Conflict Management in 2005. For the purpose of advancement, I went to University of Abuja and obtained Masters Degree in Public Administration in 2006. In 2006 as well, I got a certificate in Conflict Management and Kingian Non-violence Education from University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI USA. I also had Oracle Certification 1 from NIIT, Abuja in 2007. At Harvard Business School, Cambridge, Boston, I got Change the Game: Negotiation and Deal Making (2009), Managing Negotiations and Competitive Decision Making (2009), Program for Leadership Development-PLD (2008) and Alumnus of HBS.
Sir, you were Special Assistant to the President, Olusegun Obasanjo;
what were your achievements?
My brother, after Obasanjos administration, life goes on. And so, my achievements and service records goes beyond Obasanjos administration. Therefore, it is often advisable for you to ask my achievements so far in politics. But, be as it may, my service records as Special Assistant and thereafter are as follows:
I successfully lobbied for an independent Federal Ministry of Youth Development.
I supported the advocacy for the establishment of Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), especially the establishment of its Youth Directorate.
I supported the establishment of Presidential Consultative Stakeholders Forum on Niger Delta under President Olusegun Obasanjo and gave unfettered access to Ilaje/Ese-Odo delegates.
I intervened in the progressive politics of stability of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) which produced people like Segun Olaleye, Philip Suaibu, Tony Nwoye, Daniel Ojeh, Femi Oshabinu and Jude Imagwe. Most of them are now legislative warriors at different parliaments in Nigeria.
I introduced the concept of nonviolence training as enunciated in the six nonviolence principles of Martin Luther King Jnr. through Foundation for Ethnic Harmony to Niger Delta youths in 2005. Today, the concept forms the foundation for amnesty initiative of the Federal Government.
I assisted the Federal Government to draft and adopt the National Youth Policy Framework.
I provided a free TV viewing centre at Igbokoda in 2006 to allow the youths watch World Cup matches pro bono.
I led the Nigerian contingent to the World Youth Festival in Caracas, Venezuela with some Ilaje/Ese-Odo youth as members of the delegation.
I assisted OSOPADEC to organize, in two phases, Ilaje Youth Peace Summit in 2007 and 2008 leading to the Ilaje Charter of Peace.
In 2011, I assisted Ilaje Local Government to singlehandedly supervised the construction of Igbokoda Secretariat road using interlocking paving stones and ongoing car park at Zero-Zero junction.
My foundation, KAFAD, has intervened in many poverty reduction programmes and projects in Ilaje/Ese-Odo including award of scholarships.
As a Member, House of Representatives, what are your areas of focus and your achievements?
As a second termer in the House of Representatives representing Ilaje/Ese-Odo Federal Constituency, I have gathered enough experience to govern Ondo State and manage the state resources successfully.
At the floor of the house, I have:
Sponsored numerous bills that will protect the dignity of my constituents and alleviate their socio-economic concerns.
Advanced and spoken with a loud voice, expressing the position of our people in Ilaje and Ese-Odo Federal Constituency.
Expanded the frontiers of my legislative assignments to include, but not be limited to, bringing federal executive might to address the peculiar challenges of the delta region of Ondo State.
Given absolute and consistent supports for the empowerment of women, youths, the aged and other groups in Ilaje and Ese-Odo Federal Constituency.
Been irreversibly committed to oneness, unity, progress and development in Ilaje and Ese-Odo.
Been dedicated to promoting and showcasing our traditional institutions at home and in the Diaspora.
Allowed for unalloyed access to the instrumentality of legislation, vide periodic stakeholders consultative forum to articulate a united developmental agenda for the common good of our people.
Used the best possible legislative model to engage the association of Patriots, Okada Riders, Women, Youths, Commercial Drivers, Outboard Engine Workers, Traditional Kingdoms, Market Traders, Maritime Workers, Traditional Security Groups etc, constructively for local transformation.
Provided scholarship and bursary awards to indigent students in all facets and strata of educational pursuit.
Been alive to my legislative responsibility for the total urban renewal of Ilaje and Ese-Odo Federal Constituency.
Advocated and worked-out a new developmental paradigm of effective collaboration amongst Federal, State and Local developmental institutions within our Federal Constituency.
Done everything possible to make fishers fish well, farmer farm well, pregnant women have effective antenatal and postnatal care, youths have good employment, the aged to get proper geriatric care; so that the sun, moon and stars may continue to shine with blessed luminosity.
Above all, ensured that the voices of the Ilaje and Ese-Odo nations are nationally recognized and respected nationally and internationally.
My pledge, if I’m elected the Governor of Ondo State:
Accessibility: I will open my door without restriction to the people. I will not allow an artificial political Berlin wall between myself and people of Ondo State. I will devote the best of my time to better the yearnings of the people. I will see my mandate as a divine mission that must yield greater opportunities and prosperity for our people and our land. I will be fully committed to the philosophy and principles of our party. I will showcase and obey their supremacy continually by regularly conducting town hall meetings for all stakeholders to discuss the way forward for Ondo State. I will vigorously pursue and ensure the good standard of living of our people being pillars and bastions of our democracy.
General Empowerment: I will invoke and implement empowerment projects with the belief that: men are natural heads, the women is the nation, and the youths are the baronial energy of any thriving nation. Accordingly, I will always insist that the socio-economic empowerment of men, women and youths are dictates of the divine will of God as well as sacrosanct must-do assignments for all political servant-leaders. I will also insist that the fulcrum of these empowerment projects is a do it differently mentality. This mentality which advocates the take-off of empowerment projects starting with consultations with the people; so as to oblige them the opportunity of setting-forth their priority needs and directly being involved in the process of creating and implementing sustainable empowerments projects that are capable of successfully tackling poverty. My time in Alagbaka House will witness marathon empowerments characterized by peoples choices and maximum benefits devoid of any abracadabra. I will work assiduously to create sufficient political coverage that can help tackle all major problems facing our dear state..
Developmental synergy: I will work for a new developmental paradigm of effective harmony amongst Federal, State and Local Governments development-producing institutions within our state. This assisted synergy will guarantee effective consultation, proper budgeting, speedy project delivery, and efficient project monitoring. The synergy is indeed a contemporary strategy of development that is widely known and it is supported by the limpid maxim that life begins to die in us when we keep our eyes off the things that matter to our people. No doubt, our people and land need development. No doubt that no amount of time or resources expended in this course is wasted.
What would you consider as the major challenge to achieving your political dream?
The greatest challenge is the total cooperation of my party, PDP and our people because some people are enemies of progress. But I want to tell our people that opportunity has come to their doorsteps to make the right choice of who to govern them for the next four years. You know, time is the most faithful servant of God. Therefore, they should use this time judiciously to choose an upright leader that has passion for the yearnings of the Ondo State people and the land.
