Iwe Itan Ogbomoso’ launch: Femi Onireti makes huge statement
Yinka ADETUNJI
The public presentation of the reprinted Ogbomoso History (Iwe Itan Ogbomoso) written by Professor Nathaniel Durojaye Oyerinde in 1934 has come and gone only memories of it remain with us.
However, one of the memories of the book launch which held at Ogbomoso Recreation Club Friday is how candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for Ogbomoso North/Ogbomoso South/Oriire federal constituency in the upcoming House of Representatives election, Femi Onireti, stunned the audience with his N510, 000 (five hundred and ten thousand naira) donation.
Onireti had bought ten copies of the book for N510, 000 to emerge the biggest spender at the event. His boss, Chief of Staff to the Oyo State Governor Engr. Seyi Makinde, Chief Segun Ogunwuyi , who was not at the event had sent in N500, 000 (five hundred thousand naira). N250, 000, N200, 000, N100, 000 and so on were the other monies coughed out by groups and individuals to launch the book.
Onireti was one of the many politicians cum contestants invited to the historical event put together by Ogbomoso Community Foundation (OCF). Other prominent politicians at the event were Majority Leader of Oyo State House of Assembly, Hon Sanjo Adedoyin, who is representing Ogbomoso South State Constituency and going for another term on the platform of PDP; Hon Simeon Oyeleke, representing Surulere/Ogo-Oluwa State Constituency in the OYHA; and chairman of Ogbomoso North local government, Hon Kabir Ayoade.
The chairman of the occasion, Dr Samson Adegoke a.k.a. Maigida, meanwhile was not at the occasion, he was represented by chairman of his non-governmental organization, Maigida Charity Foundation, Chief Gbadamosi, who did not name the amount he launched the book.
Onireti since breaking into the political circle in Ogbomoso a little over two years ago has been a quiet man, only involved in philanthropic acts through which he had helped a lot of people including widows, orphans, youths and so on.
He also had provided six boreholes within the constituency and is currently repairing a damaged road at Adiatu area of Ogbomoso spending his personal money though he never held any political office. He has put up street lights at different locations, rebuilt collapsed culverts, staged large scale empowerment programmes and so on.
Never a member of any socio-cultural organization in Ogbomoso, his big show at the book launch perhaps may have launched him into the mainstream of socio-political milieu in the community.
In a chat with ogbomosoinsightonline.com Onireti however said he gave his widow’s mite not to compete with anyone or outshine anybody but since the organizers made it clear that “whatever proceeds from the book launch will be channeled towards the development of Ogbomosoland, he resolved to make contribution within his limited capacity.”
The international businessman stated further, “I am passionate about the progress and development of our community and since the effort is geared towards that purpose we must render our support. There is nothing like showing off. It’s an altruistic deed to make my own little contribution in reliving the memory of an eternal hero of Ogbomoso and to give a token towards moving Ogbomoso forward.”
