The Caretaker Chairman, Ese-Odo Local Government Hon. Akin Sowore has sympathized with the victims of a fire disaster that gutted about twenty one houses at Opuba Community recently.

The Chairman in company of some supervisors in the local government promised to quickly come to the aid of the displaced people.

Opuba is a community located at the riverine area of Ese-Odo Local Government of Ondo State and the journey to the community from Agadagba-Obon where road on land terminates is about one hour, twenty minutes on water by flying boat.

Recently, some dwellers of the community lost property worth millions of naira to inferno.

The fire incident according to an eye witnesses started 3pm and all efforts by the occupants and the people living in the area to put off the fire proved abortive.

The level of havoc done by the inferno could not be ascertained as property such as mattresses, cloths, home gadgets, generating sets, boat engines and lots more were destroyed.

Speaking on behalf of the victims the Nein - Abiritou of Opuba community, High Chief Alpheaus Pounah appealed to government at all levels to quickly come to their aid as those property lost to the incident are too numerous.

Ese – Odo Local Government Chairman who led some members of his committee to ascertain the level of damage done at the place empathized with about 85 dwellers who are currently taking refuge at a church. He promised to as a matter of urgency table the case before the governor of the state, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko.

Mr. Sowore promised that the local government administration on its part will soon provide some relief materials for the victims.

The chairman cautioned the dwellers against being carefree with inflammable materials at home.

Up to this moment the cause of the outbreak could not be ascertained as the people said if emanated from one of the houses.

Although no life lost in the incident is memories will not just fade away among the victims in months to come.

The chairman and his entourage had earlier paid homage to the Nein-abiritou of Opuba at his palace and also visited a chieftain of labour party in the area Chief Segun Cousin who applauded the Caretaker Chairman for his moves which surpassed that of all his predecessors.

The Chairman Ese-Odo Local Government Mr. Akin Sowore has promised to build a befitting police station that will be suitable for police officers on duty at the Nigeria Police Station “B” department Marine Divisional headquarters Agadagba-Obon, in Ese-Odo Local Government Area.

The Chairman stated this while he made an unscheduled visit to the police station recently.

The Chairman who was in Company of his supervisor’s bemoaned the condition of the environment and promised that his administration will try all his possible best to build the police station.

In his response the Divisional Marine officer incharge of the station ASP Amalagha Paul thanked the Chairman for his concern about the police station.

He promised his total support for the government of Ese-Odo and also promised to combat all kind of crime that could spring up from the area.

According to him, “there is no cell that we can keep criminals arrested and no place to harbor our ammunitions, as well as adequate security is not even guaranteed for policemen here”.

The police boss said the little work done at the police station is just his efforts to create a kind of comfort for police officers on duty.

“B” department, Marine Divisional headquarter Agadagba-Obon, Ese-Odo Local Government is a police station overseeing the riverine area of Ondo State.

Despite the disagreement of the Federal Government and the organized labour on the removal of oil subsidy, political appointees at Ese-Odo Local Government area of Ondo State and men of Nigerian Army, 19^th Battalion Naconra Barracks Okitipupa gathered at the Ese-Odo Local government cenotaph at Igbekebo to remember the fallen heroes.

The men of the Nigerian Army displayed their skills as they paraded and shot into the air the 21 gun salute, all to honour the heroes who fought for the peaceful co-existence among the dwellers of this nation.

Legion members in Ese-Odo Local Government were not left out as they equally showed their skill as persons who have fought and conquered by participating in the drills.

In his address, the Caretaker Chairman Ese-Odo Local Government, Mr. Akinwunmi Sowore said that the retired officers had fought tirelessly for the progress of this country and needed to be compensated and taken care of by all and sundry, where the government had been trying on its part.

He therefore, used the medium to call on well-meaning Nigerians, as matter of responsibility, to always employ the able but retired soldiers as security men in their various offices, companies and living houses as assistance to them.

According to the Caretaker Chairman, “I believe that these set of people possess useful and adequate knowledge in handing security issues and this will make them excel more than those who have never had military training.”

The Chairman disclosed that he had met with the Local Government Legion Chairman, who had tabled before him, the areas where his administration could be of assistant to them.

The legionnaires with dismay, expressed their dissatisfaction on how the government at all levels, handled issues that had to do with them and called on the Federal Government, as matter of urgency, to pay the pending arrears of their pension.

Special prayers were offered for the families of the fallen heroes, the living ones, Ese-Odo Local Government, Ondo State and Nigeria at large.

The Chairman, Mr. Akin Sowore led the procession in laying of wreaths at the foot of the statue of the unknown soldier.

Coastalnews: Can we meet you sir?

I am Engr. Odimayo Ezekiel Babatunde John fondly called Goodluck at the Methodist Primary School, Sabomi between 1968 – 1974. Did my secondary school at Ansar-ud-deen Grammar school. I had three Masters degrees in Business Administration, Information Technology and Political Science / Public Administration from Ladoke Akintola University, Ogbomosho and the prestigious First University (THE LION) called the University of Nigeria, Yaba College of Technology.

I am married with children. The Group Managing Director of ITBS GROUP with four companies as subsidiaries named Burgeonaise Investment Limited, Impulse Communications Limited, Vintage Schools Limited owners of the proposed private Vintage Polytechnic, Ese-Odo and Information Technology Business School.

Coastalnews: What is your political Antecedent?

My political antecedents began from my higher institution days, Political struggles and activism flow within my blood and bone marrows. I was parliamentarian representing the physical sciences faculty, President of National Association of Computer Science Student (NACOSS) Yabatech and later President of Students Union Government Yabatech.

I joined the labour Union in Owena Bank (now Enterprise Bank) and rose to be National Domestic secretary of National Union of Banks and Financial Institutions Employees. I joined the People Democratic Party in 2003 for the actualization of Hon. Agboola Ajayi’s victory as the chairman, Ese-odo Local Govt, since then I had been a prominent political figure in Politics, a grassroots’ mobilize.

I was a former Director in Ondo State Electricity Board, Political Secretary of Ese-odo Local Govt. and one time state caucus member of Peoples Democratic Party.

Coastalnews: You recently led thousands of PDP members to the ruling party, LP why?

On the 18^th December 2011, I led One Thousand, Seven Hundred (1,700) members of the PDP to Labour Party (L.P) due to the following reasons:

• The PDP as a party is bedeviled with myriads of challenges that constitute indices of disorganization, disunity and disintegration amongst its membership. This misfortune experienced in the party is sustained by the multitude, parochial and shallowness attitude of the party leadership which promoted internal rancor’s, discords, sectionalism and factions amongst its members. This attitude made things to fall apart for all members and that accounted for PDP failures at the poll.
• To support the quality work of Dr. Olusegun Mimiko of the ruling party. Infact, there is a paradigm shift from conventional convention governance. The capital city-Akure is wearing a new look and we are proud owners of the prestigious capital city. Hence, I advise the people of Ondo State to drive through the capital city at night or visit the government secretariat, then you will know that God has sent his light through Dr. Olusegun Mimiko to Ondo State. We have seen the light and we cannot but be attracted to the guiding light called LABOUR PARTY.
• The caring heart of this government is people’s centered programme. It is divine to step-up the helpless, the hopeless, the abandoned and the rejected to a position of having access to good quality medical services.
• The Labour Party has redesigned the peaks and Markets to incorporate the principles of economic that is providing a good government is sensitive to the plight of the time, the gratuity and pension of those that meritoriously serve the state and disengaged honorably, that alone will attract people to the party.

Coastalnews: What is your assessment of Mimiko’s Administration?

Superb and Excellent.

Coastalnews: Do you believe in Mimiko second term project?

Yes, I do and that is why I have come to join Labour Party to enforce continuity of good governance. Iroko continue your good work of governance.

Coastalnews: What is the feasibility of the project?

The outcome of my feasibility of Mimiko’s projects shows great assets to Ondo State and not liabilities. It is a worth-while venture, which will definitely succeed at end.

Coastalnews: What is your assessment of present administration in Ese-Odo?

The young man Akin Sowore is contributing his quota to the development of Ese-Odo and most especially, he is a product of the council and I expect him to perform creditably. However, no matter the performance of any council chairman, there will always be room for improvement.

Coastalnews: What is your political aspiration?

To consolidate my political movement from local government to state and National level that I may create wealth and development for my people in Ese-Odo.

Coastalnews: What is your advice to the people of Ese-odo?

My people should be goal driven in selecting leadership, give your vote to those who will liberate you from the claws of poverty and suffering. Let us chase out poverty from the land. We are uniquely blessed people. Let us discover ourselves.

Coastalnews: Any other comment?

Ese-Odo is a land flowing with milk and honey. let us discover the natural talents, resources and wealth of Ese-Odo by installing purpose driven council chairman. Many of the political wealthy Leaders today have money of the Ese-odo in their pockets.

Some collected the contract that will help the people economically and diverted the money into private use. Let us be concerned about the welfare and development of people and God will make us wealthy.

Ese-odo people should make Almighty God, their one. It is God that can make rich. The power to create wealth is entrenched in the God Almighty. Let us embrace God and pray for Ese-odo.