By Bola Bamigbola

Renowned businessman and Pro-chancellor, Adeleke University, Ede, Osun State, Dr. Deji Adeleke, on Sunday, said work has been completed on his 1250 megawatt power plant located in Ajebamidele, Ondo State.

Dr Adeleke, however, said the project has not commenced operation, as it has not been connected to the gas grid, adding that the plant would provide jobs for over 2000 engineers and other associated workers.

He spoke in Ede, Osun State, at the 11th undergraduate and 7th postgraduate convocation ceremonies of Adeleke University, where his younger brother, Governor Ademola Adeleke, bagged an honorary Doctorate Degree.

The Adeleke University Pro-chancellor, who lamented malfeasance associated with elections in the country, also said the global community regards Nigeria’s democracy as fraudulent.

From electorate selling votes, to use of hoodlums to perpetrate fraud during elections, Adeleke said lack of credibility by the processes leading to election of leaders in the country was a major factor discouraging foreign direct investment.

“The powerplant is ready, I am only waiting to be connected to the gas grid to start generating power. That plant will employ over 2,000 engineers and other associated workers.

“Imagine if not because of my relationship, we are not able to get GE to supply the turbine to us, that means that the powerplant will not be built. That mean the jobs will not be there. Nobody wants to come to society where votes does not count, where the electorate do not have a say,” Adeleke said.

He said Nigerians can not expect good governance after selling their votes to the highest buyer, “But if we all insist on a free, fair and credible election other countries will respect us. Then we have environment that can attract direct foreign investment that will create the jobs that we do badly needs.

“Some of them who graduated four years ago, some of them are still on the street looking for jobs because nobody is investing. We do not understand that the way we conduct ourselves during our elections affect the ability of this country to attract foreign investors.

“Nigeria is a very good country with a lot of opportunities but we need to start from being able to fire our elected officials if they do not perform and where we start from is that we do not sell our vote, do the right thing.”

At the convocation ceremony, attended by the graduands and their relations, held at the campus of the institution in Ede, the university released a total of 1,133 students from six faculties and the College of Postgraduate

Studies. (PUNCH)