EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: HON. ESAN OWOLABI, AKOKO NORTH WEST LG CHAIRMAN , OPEN UP ON POLITICS, LEADERSHIP, AND ROYAL TIES. ENJOY.
BY FAKEYE ADERONKE. 08053912959.
When the Radiant Africa Magazine crew encountered Hon. Esan Owolabi, Chairman of Akoko Northwest Local Government, at the one-year coronation anniversary of Ajana Afa Okeagbe in Akoko North West area of Ondo state, we seized the opportunity for an exclusive interview. In this engaging conversation, he shares his inspiring journey into politics, his close relationship with Kabiesi Ajana and the Honourable Minister of Interior, Dr. Bunmi Tunji-Ojo who also hail from Okeagbe Akoko as well as the strides he has made so far in office. This is one interview you won’t want to miss.Enjoy it!
CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT YOURSELF? WHO IS HON. ESAN OWOLABI, THE CHAIRMAN OF AKOKO NORTH-WEST LOCAL GOVERNMENT?
Thank you. I am a native of Irun-Akoko. I once served as a councillor, later as vice chairman of this local government, and today, by the grace of God and with the support of the Honourable Minister of Interior, I am privileged to be the Chairman of Akoko North-West Local Government.
I attended St. Luke’s Primary School, Akoko (1971–1976), then Irun Comprehensive Secondary School (1978–1983). Later, I studied at Ondo State Polytechnic where I obtained my National Diploma between 1996 and 1998. I furthered my studies at Kwara State Polytechnic from 2003 to 2007, where I earned my HND in Business Administration and Management.
HOW DID YOUR JOURNEY INTO POLITICS BEGIN? WAS IT A DELIBERATE AMBITION, OR IT HAPPENED BY CHANCE?
Honestly, I never thought I would become a politician. After completing secondary school, I went into the cocoa trade. I worked as secretary to Hon. Gani Dauda, a former member of the House of Representatives and Deputy Speaker, in that business.
One day, while I was at my shop, the community invited me to contest for the position of councillor. At first, I took it as a joke because I wasn’t interested in politics. But they insisted, saying they wanted someone popular, someone the people knew and trusted. At that time, I had many boys who worked with me and went to the market under my supervision. That was how I found myself in politics, during the Option A4 era of 1992—when voting wasn’t by secret ballot but by openly standing behind your preferred candidate. (Laughs).
YOU EARLIER SERVED AS VICE CHAIRMAN. WAS THAT DURING THE LAST ADMINISTRATION?
No, I served as Vice Chairman between 2004 and 2007 under Hon. Komolafe’s administration.
WHAT DID YOU DO BETWEEN THEN AND NOW BEFORE BECOMING CHAIRMAN?
I returned fully to my business and focused on farming. At the same time, I remained active in politics. I didn’t withdraw from public service completely.
SINCE ASSUMING OFFICE AS CHAIRMAN, WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR VISION FOR THE PEOPLE OF AKOKO NORTH-WEST?
My primary mission is to lift our people out of poverty and ignorance. I intend to achieve this through agriculture, education, and infrastructural development.
We are already promoting large-scale farming in Akoko North-West. White-collar jobs are scarce, but agriculture has endless opportunities. The Federal Government under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has been encouraging farming, and crops like cocoa, cassava, maize, and yam are highly profitable. Our community is traditionally agrarian, so my goal is to mobilize and empower our youths to embrace agriculture as a sustainable livelihood.
MANY YOUNG PEOPLE TODAY, ESPECIALLY GEN-Z, MAY NOT BE INTERESTED IN FARMING. THEY ARE MORE DRAWN TO TECHNOLOGY. DO YOU HAVE PLANS IN THAT DIRECTION?
Yes, we also have plans for IT development. In fact, we have engaged a company to help us introduce senior secondary school students to real information technology before their WAEC examinations—not the type of IT misused for cybercrime, but proper digital skills that can empower them. Within the next few months, we hope to train about 200 youths, equipping them with knowledge that can lift them out of unemployment and ignorance.
YOU OFTEN MENTION THE MINISTER OF INTERIOR, Dr. BUNMI TUNJIN-OJO. WHAT KIND OF RELATIONSHIP DO YOU HAVE WITH HIM?
He is my leader and mentor. I admire his performance and I aspire to follow in his footsteps.
AKOKO NORTH-WEST HAS ITS HEADQUARTERS IN OKEAGBE, WHICH IS HOME TO FOUR OBAS. ONE OF THEM, OBA ARASANYIN, THE AJANA Afa, IS CELEBRATING HIS CORONATION ANNIVERSARY. WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO SAY ABOUT HIM?
Oba Arasanyin is like a father to me. He is refined, civilized, educated, and a true lover of his people. He is one of the Obas I hold in high esteem. His wisdom is exceptional; he listens attentively and speaks with thoughtfulness. He is highly respected, enlightened, and very social. I have deep admiration for him.
AWAY FROM POLITICS, WHAT ARE YOUR HOBBIES? WHAT DO YOU ENJOY DOING IN YOUR LEISURE TIME?
I love sports a lot.
DO YOU HAVE SPECIFIC PLANS FOR YOUTH DEVELOPMENT IN SPORTS?
Yes. Very recently, we organized the finals of an under-13 youth football tournament in Akoko North-West, held in Arigidi Akoko , I was present at the event, performed the kick-off, and supported the competition from start to finish. We are committed to using sports to positively engage our youths.
FINALLY IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE YOU WOULD LIKE TO ADD?
I would like to use this opportunity to congratulate Kabiesi the Ajana of Afa Kingdom, Oba Arasanyin. Since I assumed office, he has been a father figure to me, giving me wise counsel and motivating me to stay focused. I celebrate him today, and I pray that his reign will surpass that of his forbears . I also call on everyone to continue supporting him.
