Femi Onireti: Next big thing in Ogbomoso politics - Who is he?

Femi Onireti: Next big thing in Ogbomoso politics – Who is he?

Femi OGUNLANA

Sequel to Olufemi Onireti’s resignation from the Peoples Democratic Party PDP last week every step he has taken indicated he is headed to the ruling party at the centre, the All Progressives Congress APC. His dumping the PDP shocked many because he was like the soul of the party in Ogbomoso. His showing in the 2023 general elections as candidate of the party in the House of Representatives’ contest (Ogbomoso North/Ogbomoso South/Oriire federal constituency) launched him as a formidable politician. He fought against the massive goodwill of late former governor, Chief Christopher Adebayo Alao-Akala, via his son, Hon Olamijuwonlo Alao-Akala, who contested on the platform of the APC. Onireti lost but gallantly. Ogbomoso is a community which has the history of repaying sons over the good deeds of their fathers through elections especially after their immediate transition. Chief Yomi Akintola benefited his father’s goodwill by winning House of Representatives’ contest in 1979; Hon Segun Amao Alata won on the platform of Alliance for Democracy (AD) in 1999 to represent Ogbomoso North state constituency due to his father’s great deeds for Ogbomoso as an unmatched industrialist. When you look at it, Yomi Akintola benefited it 13 years after his father’s death, Segun Alata 5 years after Chief Adebayo Amao Alata passed away, but Onireti went head-to-head with Olamijuwonlo Alao-Akala just a year after the passage of the one fondly called “Oyato Governor.” It would have been a betrayal of a legacy and history if the son didn’t win. But though he lost, the outcome made him hold his head high because it was a narrow defeat.

This is to say Femi Onireti has built a massive goodwill also, within a short time of his participation in politics. He is a typical Young Turk on the rise in the political firmament. He has made significant contributions to uplifting the society and the common man though he has never been an office holder. Really, records show he has even been involved in this before he joined PDP. His contributions have surpassed many of those even holding political offices. He first came into limelight in about 2019 when he visited Bowen University Teaching Hospital (formerly Baptist Medical Centre), Ogbomoso, to help pay hospital bills of patients, donated provisions and offered gifts to the hospital. He on the same day, was at the Leper’s Colony to distribute food items and cash to the inmates. His many supporters with him that day also had their palms “greased,” leaving smiling home. In this Ogbomoso and Oriire, Femi Onireti has provided boreholes numbering about 20 before filing out for election. He has staged about three different massive empowerment programmes where economic items and gadgets were distributed; he installed solar street lights; executed repair of a culvert in a public road; rehabilitated roads; donated towards the repairs of a federal road before the federal government intervened to undertake general repairs (NBTS – Caretaker axis) in 2024; distributed wheel chairs and crutches; and donated generously equipment and drugs to the LAUTECH Teaching Hospital last year; has been deeply involved in education support programmes such as donating laptops, offering bursaries and scholarships (several ongoing), free JAMB forms; sponsoring interhouse sports competition, free transport during the chaotic cashless period among others.

People love him; his unassuming nature, humility, simple-mindedness and affability are factors going for him, it’s just that the Akala’s larger than life image was insurmountable for him during the last election. But certainly, better days are ahead of the Akinsi-Osupa-born political juggernaut.

However PDP is becoming a shadow of itself. In addition, Onireti’s generous disposition it is learnt is putting some leaders of the party on edge perhaps feeling he is overshadowing them. “He is not given the recognition he actually deserves in the party, he was an asset to the party but not treated as one,” a member of the PDP said.

The unfavourable circumstances thus made him engaged in deep soul searching, reflecting on his continued stay in a party that doesn’t appreciate his contributions. Moreover, it appears the party is on its last leg and in a situation like that a leader reserves the right to decide on the best path to follow moreover a politician of Onireti’s standing.

He has chosen APC; he knows why he chose APC (he has not unveiled the reason) but it is certain in the circumstances APC remains the best option for him. A politician like him cannot be ignored in a political party as it was done him in the PDP. While many who did less than him in the 2023 elections were known to have been taken care of, there are no indices he enjoyed any patronage or his opinions mattered except when his money is needed.

He has however hit the right chord in the APC, without formally declaring for the party he is made the Oyo state Director of the City Boy Movement whose grand patron and patron are President Bola Tinubu and his influential son, Seyi, respectively. The group is borne by the mission to ensure the return of Tinubu in 2027, through advocacy. That seems to align with Onireti’s ideals in view of his grassroots integration.

No doubt his defection to APC is a gain to the party. He seems like he is the next big thing in Ogbomoso politics. May he continue to wax stronger.

A peep into his life

EARLY LIFE
Hon. Olufemi Oladokun Onireti hails from Akinsi Compound, Osupa, in Ogbomoso, Oyo State, Nigeria. He was born into the respected family of Mr. and Mrs. John Onireti, where he was raised with strong values of discipline, integrity, and service to humanity principles that continue to define his personal and professional life.

EDUCATION
Hon. Onireti began his educational journey at Molete Baptist Primary School, Ibadan, and later attended the prestigious Ibadan Grammar School, Molete, for his secondary education.

He proceeded to the Federal University of Technology, Akure, Ondo State, before furthering his studies at Staffordshire University in the United Kingdom, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in Business Management.

Upon returning to Nigeria for his National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), he continued to pursue academic excellence by obtaining a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Ajayi Crowther University, Oyo. Demonstrating his commitment to continuous learning and leadership development, he is currently pursuing a Doctor of Business Administration (DBA).

BUSINESS CAREER
Hon. Olufemi Onireti is an accomplished international entrepreneur and a highly respected business leader. As a representative to foreign corporations in Nigeria, he has built strong partnerships across industries and borders, working with numerous multinational companies both within Nigeria and internationally.

He is the Chief Executive Officer of Dohertis Global Resources Limited, where he has demonstrated exceptional leadership, strategic vision, and a commitment to excellence. His business acumen and global outlook have positioned him as a key player in fostering economic growth and international collaboration.

POLITICAL AND HUMANITARIAN ENGAGEMENT
Driven by a deep passion for service, Hon. Onireti has made remarkable contributions to the development of the Ogbomoso zone, particularly across Ogbomoso North, Ogbomoso South, and Oriire Local Government Areas. He also contested the 2023 General Election to represent Ogbomoso South/North/Orire Federal Constituency at the Federal House of Representatives.

His impactful initiatives include:
• Provision of several motorized boreholes to improve access to clean water.
• Installation of solar-powered street lighting to enhance community safety.
• Construction of culverts to support infrastructure development.
• Empowerment programs for artisans and small-scale entrepreneurs.
• Financial support to widows and vulnerable groups.
• Sponsorship of WAEC, NECO, and JAMB examination forms for indigent students, benefiting over 2,000 students (A continuous process)
• Provision of lifetime scholarship awards to approximately 800 deserving and talented indigent students. (A continuous process)

Through these interventions, Hon. Onireti has significantly improved the quality of life for countless individuals and families, earning widespread recognition as a compassionate leader and dedicated philanthropist.

Hon. Olufemi Oladokun Onireti exemplifies visionary leadership, entrepreneurial excellence, and selfless service. His unwavering commitment to human capital development and community advancement continues to inspire hope and progress, making him a distinguished figure worthy of honor and recognition.