By BERNARD BALOGUN (BenPino)

The decision of my friend, Otunba Dr Adetunji Adeleke Oredipe (scantily known as Dr. Tunji Oredipe) is indeed a brilliant decision. Apt and pleasant.

Otunba Dr Adetunji Adeleke Oredipe has declared his intention to contest for the seat of the Executive Governor of Ogun State, come 2027 under the ticket of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Dr Adetunji Adeleke Oredipe is currently the Task Team Leader of five different projects in Nigeria, Liberia, and Sierra-Leone. He is presently on international posting at the World Bank Office in Freetown, Sierra-Leone. He has been recognised by the World Bank as one of the very few.

Tunji has a global experience in the financial world, especially in the area of his strength – financial agricultural management. That shall speak eloquently for him.

For over 50 years, l have known Otunba Oredipe. I also know that in all the places he had worked, here at home and abroad, he had always discharged his responsibilities with a deep sense commitment and loyalty, so well that when it was time for him to leave, his employers were reluctant to let him go. In fact, on one occasion his nomenclature was changed just to keep him. In each of these places he had left his marks, indelible marks.

Permit me to add this. Dr. Tunji Oredipe was involved in agricultural projects in many African countries, through the World Bank, promoting agricultural development, food security, rural development, etc. Dr Oredipe served as consultant to many national and international organizations. He successfully completed his term as the National Coordinator of the famous Second National Fadama Development Project (FADAMA II), one of the biggest externally financed projects in Nigeria. In recognition of his outstanding achievements, the Federal Government appointed him as the National Coordinator of another important National Project- Multinational Nerica Rice Dissemination Project with a mandate to help in restructuring the Project. Within one week of assumption of duty, the World Bank appointed him as the Senior Operation Officer at the Nigeria Country Office. Between 2011 and 2013, he served as the Senior Technical Adviser to the Honourable Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development (Dr. Akinwunmi Adesina) with a mandate to spearhead the Agricultural Transformation Agenda.

Our friend is a meticulous planner.

His records on human and infrastructural developments are legendary. Just as Tunji is serious at work, so he is at home.

In spite and despite his successes at home & abroad, my, our friend remains his humble self, devoid of narcissist tendency. If you live under the ground, he will look out for you. Dr Oredipe cherishes, and never forgets, our little beginnings.

Ooops . . . I am sorry. It is not time to give testimony. Tolerate me, this is just a snippet of Dr Adetunji Adeleke Oredipe, a true son of Ijebu-Ode, hails, parentally, from Oke-Eri Ijebu and maternally from Odo Legan near Erunwon, both in Ogun State, Nigeria.

In conclusion, and in my candid opinion, Dr Oredipe will be a great asset to the great, purposeful and industrious people of Ogun State, a true pride to the Ijebu nation, if given the opportunity to run the State. God has blessed him beyond measures. Being a Governor of Ogun State, it will help to expand his philanthropic agenda. On the sideline, Dr Oredipe is the Chief Executive Officer of Abisola Hotels, Legan Hall Event Centre, A&G Event Centre, Fadreb Petrol Station, Fadreb Farms, Cassava Processing Centre, all located within the Ijebu territory. Dr Adetunji Adeleke Oredipe is a grassroots person.

•Bernard Balogun (BenPino) writes from Abuja.

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