Why I want to govern Ogun State, by Paseda

…As association honours UPN candidate in US

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By Femi SHODUNKE

US: THE governorship candidate of the Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN) in Ogun State in the 2015 general election, Prince Rotimi Paseda, has explained reasons why he is interested in becoming the governor of the state.

Paseda stated that as the governor he would be in a better position to bring about adequate development and make life more meaning for the residents of the Gateway State.

He maintained that, if elected, he was fully prepared to provide an alternative good government to the people compared to what obtained under the past and present government in the state.

The governorship hopeful stated these while addressing members of Egba Descendants Association of Dallas Fort Worth at Oduduwa Hall in Dallas, Texas, US over the weekend where he was honoured as the Patron of the association.

Paseda, who donated N1 million to support the charity programme of the association in Egbaland, assured that if voted as governor he was fully prepared to sacrifice all possible at his disposal for the development of the Gateway State.

“It is my desire to become the governor, to governor Ogun State.  And I am fully ready to sacrifice everything possible within my ability to the upliftment of the state,” Paseda, who is the founder of Paseda Legacy Foundation, said while narrating how he revived the UPN, a political party once founded by the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo in the Second Republic.

He added: “I am in UPN to use it as alternative platform to become the governor of the state to enable me have great opportunity to improve the lives of our people there.”

The governorship candidate, who recently declared that he would contest again in 2019, expressed appreciation to the members and promised to play his part as the Patron of the association.

Paseda declared that despite been an Ijebu man from Ogun East Senatorial District he sees the whole of the state as his constituency, which informed his readiness to give back to all sections.

Earlier, the President of the association, Mr. Kenny Sunmonu, had commended Paseda for not only accepting to become the Patron, but his decision to be present in the midst of members of the association at its June meeting.

Sunmonu stated that the unanimous decision to choose the governorship hopeful was based on his various socio-economic and political activities, particularly his humanitarian gestures, through his foundation, toward the residents of Ogun State.

He said: “Our members are indeed happy to have someone like you as our Patron.  We have heard a lot about you, your contributions and your various programmes, particularly your humanitarian activities through your foundation to help our people in Nigeria.”

“Definitely, you are someone we can partner with in improving the lives of our people back home in Nigeria,” Sunmonu, a one-time Vice President of the association, said.

While also speaking at the event, the Treasurer of the association, Mr. Ladi Lemboye, briefed Paseda on the history and various activities of the association.

Lemboye, who was the Assistant Secretary General of Egba National Association US and Canada, said that the Dallas chapter would continue to offer support to the down-trodden and the needy people within the Egba communities in Ogun State.

He explained that various programmes, which include award of scholarship to needy students, would soon be carried out for secondary schools students within Ogun Central Senatorial District.

Among those present at the event were three past presidents of the association – Dr. Ayo Ogundele, Pastor Phillip Ajayi and Deacon Olufemi Oyegunle, Vice President, Deaconess Elizabeth Oyeniyi, General Secretary, Mrs. Ajibola Ogundele.

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