It was a gathering of who is who from all walks of life on Saturday at Okeagbe Akoko where the people of the Akoko North East/North West Federal Constituency of Ondo State play host to the Speaker of House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila and other eminent personalities that graced the Civic Reception Party held in honour of Hon. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo.

Gbajabiamila stormed St. George’s Primary school, the venue of the occasion in company of scores of other members of the House of Representatives including but not limited to Hon. Ade Adeogun, Hon. Small Alhaji and Hon. Shina Pella

Speaking at the occasion, Gbajabiamila congratulated the people of Akoko North East and West Federal Constituency for given their mandate to Hon. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo and also thanked them for the continuous support of the people of Ondo State for APC.

In his congratulatory message, the Speaker said he’s happy for Ondo State for bagging one of the top Committees at the National Assembly, which is the House Committee on Niger Delta Development Commission.

He stressed that Ondo State is the only state at the National Assembly that all the members elected irrespective of party affiliation is appointed into the committee leadership, either as chairman of a Committee or deputy chairman. “It’s not a coincidence, but results of the total support given to us by Ondo State during the House leadership election, ” he added.

Gbajabiamila who commended and thanked Tunji-Ojo for his uncommon support during the leadership election of the House noted that he played a major role in the success of House leadership election saying the representative formed the First Timers Legislative Forum and served as its Chairman.

The Speaker said “We all envy Tunji-Ojo seeing that he is using the NDDC to construct a 10km road in Okeagbe. I have never had the opportunity of constructing such number of kilometers of road in my 18 years in the House.

“He is a worthy son who has been doing Ondo State proud. Tunji-Ojo has never come to my office for personal reasons. He is always coming to discuss issues that concern Ondo State.”

Gbajabiamila who described Tunji Ojo as a very good member of the House noted that it is the reason for the large number of House members attendance as members of National Assembly from all the geopolitical zones also attended the Civic Reception.

He however expressed optimism that Akoko North East/North West Federal Constituency would become far better in the next four years going by the sterling performance of Tunji-Ojo.

Meanwhile, the Speaker said he regretted not coming on Friday with his other colleagues when he heard good stories of unusual hospitality offered them by Tunji-Ojo.

According to him, ” The food was good, accommodation was nice and weather was also nice. I promise to come back to Ondo State and enjoy what my other colleagues enjoyed yesterday.

Meanwhile, a political twist unfolded at the occasion when hundreds members of the Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP) decamped to the All Progressive Congress, (APC). The decampees were received by the Engr. Ade Adetimehin, who in turn handed them over to the Chief of Staff, Olugbenga Ale who represented the Governor Akeredolu at the event.

Also present at the event was the Speaker Ondo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Bamidele Oleyeloogun who came in the company of members of the State Assembly among who were Hon. Akogun Omole Olugbenga, Hon. Jamiu Sulaiman Maito and host of others.

Otunba Solomon Oladunni, Chief Olusola Oke, Rt Hon. Olawale Taofeek Abdulsalam, Acting NDDC Managing Director, Engr. Ife Oyedele, Barrister Kayode Ajulo and other important personalities were all at the event as State Women Leader of APC also attended the civic reception.

The occasion was also graced by traditional rulers from Akoko and beyond.