BACKGROUND

Almost five decades ago, precisely on Tuesday 24th of September 1968, Agboola Alfred was brought to life by the famous Ajayi family in the socio-politically conscious town of Kiribo in Ese-Odo Local Government Area of Ondo State. He had his Primary and Secondary Education in Kiribo and Bolorunduro communities of Ese-Odo Local Government Area. Agboola had his academic foundation solidly rooted in these communities before pursuing University Education and came out with an excellent result of Bachelor of Law (LL.B)Second Class Upper Division) from Igbinedion University, Okada, Edo State, Nigeria. He was called to bar in 2010 after his graduation from the Nigerian Law School, Abuja.

POLITICAL TORCH-BEARING

Charity, they say, begins at home. His activities and contributions to the well-being of his people and leadership qualities earned him the Chairmanship position of the Social Democratic Party (SPD) in the Old Apoi ward-1 between 1989 and 1992. He steered the wheel of the party so perfectly and transparently that he gained the trust of his people. His political activities caught the attention of his people so much to the extent that he was the unanimous choice of eminent leaders when the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was formed in 1998 and he was made the Secretary of PDP Ilaje / Ese-Odo Local Government between 1998 and 1999.

The performance of Agboola Ajayi did not only impress some leaders of thought but made them conclude that he was cut out for greater achievements in life. This singular act made his people believe that if the young Agboola had greater opportunities, he would give them good representation and would not forget his root. To concretize this belief, Agboola Alfred Ajayi had since remained a major determinant of socio-political issues in the Southern senatorial district of Ondo State. Through the Social Democratic Party, People’s Democratic Party and now All Progressive Congress, Agboola Ajayi had enjoyed the solid support of his people.

WORK AND BUSINESS EXPERIENCE

Agboola Ajayi is a barrister at law and a solicitor of the Supreme Court of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. He is a successful businessman who has served and / or is still serving on the board of many blue-chip and multinational companies which include Xedex Nigeria Limited, Donfrat Jerces Construction Limited, Signol Fred Security Limited, Neton Rebka Investment Limited, Signol Fred Oil and Gas Limited and Piccolo Bruneli Engineering Limited, to mention a few.

POLITICAL CAREER AND SERVICES

For Agboola Alfred Ajayi, his appointment as Supervisor for Agriculture for Ese-Odo Local Government between 1999 and 2001 marked the beginning of what has turned out to be an exemplary sacrifice for the love of his people and unique vessel for humanitarianism because all his appointed and elected positions have been used to serve humanity.

In recognition of his excellent performance between 1999 and 2001, he was appointed again as Supervisor for works for Ese-Odo Local Government between 2001 and 2003.

Whatever Agboola touched didn’t just turn to gold but diamond. Furtherance to his meritorious service in previous offices, he was appointed Caretaker Chairman of Ese-Odo Local Government between 2003 and 2004.

Agboola’s victory in the 2004 Election as the democratically elected Chairman of Ese-Odo Local Government can be described as the reward of his selfless and humanitarian services to his people. He served selflessly and meritoriously as the chairman of Ese-Odo Local Government between 2004 and 2007. His uprightness, trustworthiness and accountability was noticed and appreciated by his colleagues and was made the Treasurer of Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON), Ondo State chapter between 2004 and 2007.

The climax of Agboola’s political journey came in 2007 when he was elected to the Federal House of Representative to represent the good people of Ilaje / Ese-Odo Federal Constituency. To his people and teeming supporters, which included political leaders, his former colleagues and party faithful, it was time to reward him with a higher position for a masses-focused service. This was a landmark opportunity to serve his people better and develop their lands. To the glory of God, they were not disappointed as Agboola used all available opportunities to assist and touch the lives of the people of his federal constituency and all those whose paths crossed his. Today, he is a household name in the southern senatorial district of Ondo State because of what he did before, during and after his time at the National Assembly.

At the National Assembly, Agboola Alfred Ajayi also proved his worth. He served as the Chairman of House Committee on NDDC between 2007 and 2010. He was also a member of various committees, which included House committee on Gas, House committee on Habitat, House Committee on Justice and House committee on Industry between 2007 and 2001. In all these lofty positions, he excelled and used these offices to touch the lives of his people.

Because of his progressive-minded ideology and belief in the change mandate, Agboola Ajayi joined the All Progressive Congress as part of his moves to contribute effectively to ensuring positive change in the society. This shows that he is always on the side of his people, regardless of the price to pay. A man who is conscious of the enormous needs and yearnings of his people and whose heart is pained that his people are suffering in the midst of plenty.

COMMUNITY SERVICES

A dedicated community leader, kind-hearted philanthropist, compassionate, humanitarian, astute politician and role model to this generation who has had a towering impact on many people in the southern district in particular and Ondo State in general.

RECOGNITIONS/AWARDS

In acknowledgement of these noble gestures, several organizations and communities within and outside Ondo State had honoured Agboola Alfred Ajayi with one award or the other, thereby making him one of the most appreciated politicians in Ondo State on account of living a life of service for the masses.

Worthy of mentioning among different awards that have been conferred on Hon. Agboola Ajayi to celebrate his excellent leadership qualities are:

Award of Excellence for best Local Government administration in Ondo State 2005;

Merit Award for an Outstanding Leadership 2006;

Distinguished Merit Award for Philanthropy 2008;

Patron, Apoi Student Association;

Chieftaincy Title of Otunba Mayeigun of Apoiland;

The Aare Bobaselu of Ugboland

PERSONAL LIFE

Hon. (Barr.) Agboola Alfred Ajayi, a passionate husband and father is married with children. His hobbies include sports development, Travelling, Meeting people and intellectual discourse.

WHY AJAYI WANTS TO BE GOVERNOR

Ajayi opted to contest the election under the aegis of ZLP to put practical effect to the expectations of the people who obviously are not enamoured by the options offered by the two major parties, the APC and the PDP.

According to Ajayi, his ambition to govern the state was borne out of the people’s yearning for representative democracy, governance and development in its true essence.

Banji Okunomo, a chieftain of the ZLP also attested to this in one of his interviews on Channels Television. A former Speaker of Ondo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Jumoke Akindele also confirmed the fact that Ajayi is the best option in the practical administration of scarce resources to better the lives of the peoples.

WHY ONDO STATE ELECTORATE SHOULD VOTE AGBOOLA AJAYI

If elected governor of Ondo State, Ajayi has promised to reduce tuition fees of all tertiary institutions in Ondo State from N200,000 to N50,000. He is the only candidate who mentioned a specific amount on the reduction of tuition fees in his education policies – a sign of sincerity.

If elected governor, he promised to make education free for Ondo State Students from primary school to secondary levels. Ajayi is the only one who promised this and was very emphatic about it.
Ajayi is committed to free health care services. In his policy, he has declared free health care services for all our children in Ondo State.

Ajayi, is the only candidate who promised the prompt payment of salaries to all civil servants in Ondo State on the 24th of every month. he was very specific about the date and no other candidate was specific about this date by picking a date as Ajayi did.

The candidate of the ZLP, Agboola Ajayi, is the only man who promised adequate funding for our Tertiary Institutions and also promised to set up a committee to look at the alternative sources of funding tertiary education in Ondo State. Just like Banji Okunomo said, Ajayi is ’talk and do personality”.

In 100 days, Agboola Ajayi has promised to put an end to the total blackouts in Ondo South which has paralysed the economy of the Senatorial District.
He is committed to fixing all bad roads across the 18 local governments of Ondo State.

Ajayi is the only governorship candidate who promised to industrialise Ondo State and move the economy from a civil servant state to an industrial hub where the government will no longer depend on Federal Allocation to survive.

On Agriculture, he has promised to give out soft loans and empowerment for our farmers in Ondo State.

No more capital flight in Ondo State according to Ajayi. Our local contractors would be strictly engaged for business. Traders and Artisans would be empowered.

In the labour sector, Ajayi has promised to declare massive recruitment of unemployed youths in Ondo State. He was the only one who promised recruitment of unemployed youths after six months in office as Ondo State Governor.