For those who truly believe in the efficacy of gratitude, thanksgivings are a recurring decimal. It is expected that whenever a resounding success is achieved or a sort of victory attained, a thanksgiving is deemed necessary in order to appreciate God and individuals that facilitated it.
The holy bible is clear on this in 1 Corinthians 15:57. But thanks be to God! He gave us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. In essence, no man receives without God’s knowledge and sanction.
Such was the case of Hon. (Asiwaju) Adegboyega Adefarati, member representing Akoko South East/Akoko South West Federal constituency at the House of Representatives. Those conversant with the pre-election struggles, post-election travails and the eventual electoral victory of our congressman in the 2023 National Assembly election, will agree to the necessity of thanksgiving to God Almighty who make all things beautiful at their right times.
Without having to recount the many political struggles and travails encountered in his quest to actualise his long-time ambition to represent his good people at the Green chamber of the National Assembly, the place of God in all events leading to the emergence of Hon Adegboyega Adefarati can hardly be gainsaid. In other words, only God could have made this victory a reality.
In recognition of the impeccable role of God almighty in his electoral triumph, Hon. (Asiwaju) Adegboyega Adefarati, the scion of Adefarati political dynasty, solemnly approached God in thanksgiving to show his gratitude and acknowledgement of the role of God in his political achievements.
The event which was held at Holy Trinity Anglican Church, Akungba Akoko, Ondo State, today, attracted the crème de la crème of the society with no regards for party affiliations.
Recalling his many struggles and travails in the buildup to the 2023 general elections, Adefarati was full of praises and gratitude to God Almighty for His invaluable grace that saw him through the electioneering period unscathed and, especially, for the resounding victory secured at the poll.
He pleaded with the church to always remember him in their prayers so that his time in office would bring the much anticipated dividends of democracy to the people of his primary constituency.
Adefarati appreciated the Governor of Ondo State, HE Arakunrin Rotimi Odunayo Akeredolu, for his love and unwavering support for him before, during and after the electioneering period. He also appreciated the Chairman of the party in the state, whom he referred to as the first political son of his late father, Engr. Ade Adefarati, for his steady support.
The congressman also thanked his legal team led by Chief Olusola Oke, SAN, and the Asiwaju of Oba-Akoko, Olajide Ajana, SAN, for deploying all legal arsenals and expertise at their disposal in handling and winning his (13) cases in different courts before and after the election.
He further appreciated all party leaders and members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) across the (26) wards within the federal constituency for standing firmly with him to realise his longtime ambition.
The Chairman, House committee on Labour, Productivity and Employment, said his success at the poll in the last election was largely due to the pedigree and integrity of his late father who served the people selflessly as Governor of Ondo State between 1999 and 2003, and promised never to depart from the progressive ideals of his late father.
To mark his (100) days in office and conscious of the economic situation of the moment as it affects the wellbeing of the people, Adefarati distributed the sum of Fifty thousand naira (N50,000) each to the (100) people nominated from across the (26) wards within his federal constituency as empowerment fund.
The church service which was presided over by the Lord Bishop of Akoko Diocese of the Anglican Communion, the Rt. Rev. Bada, had in attendance the Governor of Ondo State, Ararkunrin Rotimi Odunayo Akeredolu, ably represented by Mr. Dare Aragbaye, the Matriarch of Adefarati dynasty and former First Lady of Ondo State, HE. Chief Mrs. Adetutu Adefarati, the Chairman of APC in Ondo State, Engr. Ade Adetimehin, Sen. Pastor Jide Ipinsagba (Ondo North), Sen. Niyi Adegbomire SAN. (Ondo Central), the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Olamide Oladiji and members of Ondo State House of Assembly, members of the Ondo State Executive Council, Chairmen and members of Boards and Commissions.
Also present at the occasion were Kabiyesis and regents led by the Alale of Akungba land. High chiefs, chiefs, and community leaders. Members of the Ultimate Club of Akungba, led by Elder Jacob Ogidigbo, party leaders and members of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Indeed, it was a solemn event of thanksgiving where fund was also raised to support the work of God.
Jide Okeowo is the immediate past Secretary to Akoko South West Local Government and a student of Adefarati School of politics.