The Asiwaju of Ijioland and Deputy Director-General of the Governor Seyi Makinde 2023 Campaign for Oyo North Senatorial District, Barr. Adeniyi Farinto, has been lauded for being a worthy son of Iwajowa Local Government and a good ambassador of Oke Ogun zone.
The former Commissioner for Budget and Planning in the state was equally commended for being a bridge builder, who takes more than a passing interest in the growth and success of others, especially the younger generation.
The Sabiganna of Iganna, Oba Soliu Oyemonla, Onidiko of Idiko Ago, Oba Joseph Babalola; Bagijan of Ilaji-Ile, Oba Lawan Oyeleye and Amunijio of Ijio, Oba Oyewobi Mudasiru Olawale as well as the Commissioner for Agriculture, Hon. Niyi Adebisi and seven members of the Oyo State House of Assembly, among others, gave these commendations in Iganna, Iwajowa Local Government, at the weekend.
The royal fathers, members of the Oyo State House of Assembly and other political associates from across the 10 local government areas of Oke Ogun converged on the historic town to celebrate the home edition of Barr. Farinto’s 60th birthday, with an event having come earlier in Ibadan on March 28.
Asiwaju Farinto, who attended the event alongside his wife, Yeye Abiola Farinto, exuded joy as hundreds of people converged on the hall exchanged pleasantries, with people in scores reminiscing on how he had touched their lives positively in one way or the other in the last few decades since he came on the political scene and even before then.
Farinto, a former Chairman of Iwajowa Local Government and former Member of the Oyo State House of Assembly, had clocked 60 on March 28.
But the chairman of the Iganna event’s organising committee, Comrade Quasim Oladeinde, explained that the exigencies of Barr. Farinto’s duties as a top lawyer and political leader delayed the home celebration till the period it was held.
Speaking further, Oladeinde maintained that he and his colleagues decided to celebrate Farinto, whom he described as a great leader that always worked hard for the younger generation to grow.
He added that the politician’s ability to endure and to rebound is one reason he has continued to be the “man for the people.”
Similarly, the Chief Whip of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Hon. Hakeem Adedibu, who is the chief host of the event, stated that the gathering was to celebrate Barr. Farinto, whom he noted is a leader who cares about the progress of others.
The chairman on the occasion and Commissioner for Agriculture, Hon. Adebisi, maintained that Barr. Farinto deserved to be celebrated because he had been useful not only to his local government but also to friends and people across the state.
“I congratulate my brother and the organisers for thinking it wise to hold this celebration in his honour.
“What can a man do to make people think him worthy of honour? Everyone desires to do good but it is not everyone that will be counted worthy. I congratulate Barr. Farinto for desiring to do good and God counted him worthy. What you are doing hitherto is the reason people counted you worthy to be celebrated. But please, don’t think you have arrived,” Adebisi said.
In the same vein, the member representing Ibadan South-East Constituency I, Hon Abdul-Rasak Ademola Abdullahi (Omo Shehu), who spoke on behalf of the Assembly members, especially those who did not get return tickets, hailed Farinto for being the only leader who stood by him and his colleagues throughout their trying times.
Other politicians, who gave glowing tributes about the celebrant included a former Oyo North Senatorial Chairman of the PDP, Alhaji Waheed Olorunkemi; former Member of the Oyo State House of Assembly and chairman, Joybam Hotels, Hon. Ayo Ojo; Special Assistant (Print Media) to Governor Makinde, Moses Alao; Chief Ayodabo Adejare; Surveyor Dasola Adetibi and a former LG Secretary in Iseyin Local Government, among others.
At the event, where former State Chairman of the PDP, Pa Michael Adegbite was the father of the day, representatives of the three major religions prayed for Barr. Farinto’s continued rise, while also urging him not to relent, as he is one the hopes and shining lights for the people of Iwajowa Local Government and Oke Ogun in general.
Some of those in attendance included: Hon. Rilwan Saminu Gbadamosi (East/Atisbo); Mogaji Olamide Olagoke Akinajo (Ibadan North-East I); Hon. Akeem Obadara (Ibadan North-West); Hon. Abdulateef Adebunmi Omo Ayawo (Oorelope); Chairman of the Oyo State Agency for Adult and Non Formal Education (AANFE), Hon. Ayo Olopoenia; Chief Adekunle Tanwa.
Others were chieftains of the PDP in Oorelope Local Government, Alhaji Yusuff Sarafadeen (Al Wajud); Prince Noah Atoyebi Oyeleru and Alhaji Oyetunji Safariyu Oyelowo, among others.
