Lere Oyewumi

• Politician
• educationist

Lere Oyewunmi
Senator for Osun West
Incumbent
Assumed office 13 June 2023

Akogun Kamarudeen Olalere "Lere" Oyewumi (born 5 January 1960) is a Nigerian politician, educationist, philanthropist, and community development specialist who has served as the senator representing Osun West senatorial district since 2023. He was a chairman of Irewole Local Government Area, and a member of the Nigerian House of Representatives in the Third Republic. He is a former Commissioner of the National Population Commission, Abuja. ^[1]

Early life

Oyewumi was born on 5 January 1960, to Rabiu Ewuola Oyewumi of Elere's Compound, Ikire, Osun State, and Limota Arike Oyewumi.^{[ citation needed ]}

Education

He was educated at the Baptist Day School, Odeyinka, Ikire; Saint Augustine's Commercial Modern School, Ikire where he obtained his modern III certificate in 1978; and Saint David's Grammar School, Ode-Omu. He was named the Senior Prefect and later completed the West African School Certificate Examination (WASCE). With his Grade 1 in the 1981's School Certificate Examination, Oyewumi was adjudged the best student in the whole of then Irewole Local Government (comprising the current day Irewole, Ayedaade, and Isokan Local Governments). After leaving school, he gained employment in the old Oyo State Ministry of Works and Transport as a clerical officer. In 1983, Akogun was admitted to the University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife) to study geography and obtained a bachelor's degree Second Class Honours Upper Division in 1987. From 1987 to 1988, he had the statutory National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) programme in Benue State. Oyewumi later obtained a master's degree in community development in 2006 and a doctoral degree from the University of Ibadan in 2016.^{[ citation needed ]}

Employment

After serving his mandatory NYSC in 1988, Oyewumi secured an employment as education officer in the Federal Ministry of Education and was seconded to the Federal Government Girl's College, New Bussa, Niger State. He was in the teaching profession until 1992, when he went into politics. In the private sector, Oyewumi worked as chairman and chief executive officer of an NNPC concessional petrol station.^{[ citation needed ]}

Politics

Oyewumi's political career began during his undergraduate days at OAU, Ife when he was elected national vice president of National Association of Nigeria Geography Students. He was also, at various times, secretary and president of the National Association of Ikire Students (NAIS) both at OAU Chapter and National body. In 1992, some five years after he left university, Oyewumi contested and, through the massive votes of his people in Irewole/Ayedaade/Isokan Federal Constituency, won a seat in the House of Representatives, Abuja under the platform of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) whose presidential candidate was Bashorun MKO Abiola. He was a member of House Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development;and Chairman, Sub-Committee on National Agriculture Land Development Authority (NALDA).^{[ citation needed ]}

The political instability of the period brought the Republic to an abrupt end. Subsequently, Akogun Oyewumi joined forces with other democrats to defend the country's fledgling democracy. On June 12, Oyewumi became chairman of the Yoruba socio-cultural group Afenifere in Irewole Local Government and; he, together with other politicians and lovers of democracy, galvanised and articulated the message of "June 12" in every nook and cranny of Osun State. He was actively involved in the struggle to drive the military government of General Babangida and General Sani Abacha back to barracks.

At the return of civilian rule in 1999, Akogun was made the publicity secretary of the People's Democratic Party (PDP) in Osun State. In 2004, after having served as a caretaker chairman of Irewole Local Government for one year, he was elected substantive chairman and served in this capacity until 2011, when the government of Governor Rauf Aregbesola dissolved the local councils in the state. Oyewumi was made the chairman of Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) in Osun State and vice president in the national executive.

Olalere in the 25 February 2023 general election, won as the senator representing Osun West. Senator Lere Oyewumi of PDP won with 138476 votes to defeat his close opponent Amidu Tadese of APC. ^{[2] [3]}

Achievements

During his tenure as chairman of Irewole local government, Oyewumi facilitated the construction and rehabilitation of the Sunmoye-Obada road, Obada-Jolaiya-Sabo road, Itaakun-Popo road, Oke-Ola-Oluofinrin road, Iyana-Egba-Ayedaade road, Okiti Islamiya road, Itaakun-Molak junction. His government is reputed to have also facilitated the general electrification of specific areas in Irewole Local Government with the erection of concrete poles, and the provision of cables and extensions. During his administration, he also ensured 5 units of 500 KVA transformers were procured and installed to cater for the growing suburban population of the district. This particular performance of Oyewumi's government motivated RUWESA in conjunction with UNICEF in 2010 to provide additional 250 units of boreholes to the local government.^{[ citation needed ]}

In addition, over 200 units of public taps, that spread across the length and breadth of Irewole Local Government were constructed.^{[ citation needed ]} In November 2023, Oyewumi organized a community development drive where he facilitated the provision of 500 bags of fertilizer, 120 motorcycles and a grant of N25 million for women and youths. It is unclear if these gestures by the politician were motivated by his decision to run for further political positions. ^[4]

Honours

Oyewumi was honoured the Best Chairman in the South West by International Trade and Services, South Africa. He was also awarded the Best Nigerian Local Government Chairman in the Provision of Infrastructural Facilities by Grassroots Development Survey, Abuja. Oyewumi holds the traditional titles of Akogun of Awoland, Apesin of Ikireland, Fiwajoye of Ola, Aare Atunluse of Erin-Osun, Jagun–Osin of Imesi-ile, Jagunmolu of Ilie, Bobajiro of the Ora Kingdom and Atayese of the Ikoyi Kingdom, Atunluse of Ila Kingdom.^{[ citation needed ]}

References

1. "Lere Oyewumi to deliver NAWOJ Osun 'Women World' lecture". Nigerian Voice. Retrieved 21 August 2018.
2. Bamigbola, Bola (26 February 2023). "#NigeriaElections2023: PDP sweeps senatorial, Reps seats in Osun". Punch Newspapers. Retrieved 19 November 2024.
3. Oladejo, Olubunmi (26 February 2023). "Osun NASS Election Update: PDP clears NASS seats". Businessday. Retrieved 19 November 2024.
4. Bamigbola, Bola (18 November 2023). "Senator seeks end to food insecurity". Punch Newspapers. Retrieved 20 February 2024.

External links

• The Punch [Lagos]. 14 November 2008. Tunde Odesola. "Why Akire's Palace Was Burnt – LG Boss
• This Day [Lagos]. 18 November 2008. Yinka Kolawole. ", Nigeria: Osun Rulers Tasked On Community Mobilisation (AllAfrica)