GODDEY OLIJE, IKA INDIGENE APPOINTED SPECIAL ADVISER TO THE GOVERNOR OF OSUN STATE
The Osun State Governor, His Excellency, Senator Narudeen Ademola Adeleke Jackson, has appointed an indigene of Ika nation, Honourable Goddey Olije as his Special Adviser on Local Government Affairs in the State.
Honourable Goddey Olije made this known recently during an exclusive telephone interview with Ika Weekly Newspaper.
Giving insight to his background, the excited Olije explained that his late father hails from Alifekede and his mother, who is also late, was a native of Omumu both in Ika South Local Government Area of Delta state.
The Accounting graduate turned politician specifically told Ika Weekly Newspaper that he joined politics in the state, in the year 2004, where he registered as a full-fledged member of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP). He attributed his swift rise to the pinnacle of his political aspiration to the way he was brought up by his late parents, noting that his late parents taught him how to live an open-minded life.
The Ika-born Honourable further pointed out that he had earlier, in the year 2007, contested for Councillorship position in the state (Osun) on the platform of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP0 and won. He was consequently sworn in the year 2008 and meritoriously served till December 2010, when new administration come into power,
In his words, there is a way I relate with people and I inherited it from late parents. My parents were open minded to people. The way they do things, they were very accommodating and they relate well with people. I believe it is their way of doing things and that is one of the reasons why I am winning elections there. I was born and brought up Osogbo here in Osun State and my wife is from Abeokuta, Ogun state.
While he expressed gratitude to His Excellency, Senator Narudeen Ademola Adeleke Jackson, for finding him worthy of this latest appointment, the Alefekide born politician outlined what Ika nation and of course Delta state stands to benefit from this latest appointment.
The details of the interview
Ika Weekly; Good evening Honourable Goddey Olije, can we start by way of introduction?
Answer: My name is Honourable Goddey Olije. I was born in the year 1977. I was born and brought up in Osogbo, Osun State, Nigeria. I schooled in Osogbo, I had my primary school education here in Osogbo. The name of the primary school I attended is St. Francis Primary school, Oshogbo. I also attended Osogbo Grammar school and from there, I went to Federal Polytechnic in Kwara state, where I had my Ordinary National Diploma (OND). in 1999 and Higher National Diploma (HND) in 2003 in Accounting, respectively.
After that, I joined politics in 2004. I contested for a Councillorship position in the state in the year 2007. I was sworn in in the year 2008 and I served till December 2010 when a new administration, led by Chief Rauf Aregbesola’s came in. Since then, I have been involved in politics. This year, 2023, precisely on July 26, I was appointed and sworn as the Special Adviser to the Governor of on Local Government Affairs.
My parents were from Delta State. My father is from Alishekede, Agbor, Ika South Local government and my mom is from Omumu in Agbor, Ika South Local Government Area respectively.
Ika Weekly; Thank you for this very detailed introduction. Now, tell us, how do you feel that you, from far away Delta State won election in the State and just recently also received a political appointment?
Answer: There is a way I relate with people and that was a way my parents related with people. My parents were open hearted people. The way they do things, they were very accommodating and they related well with people. I believe it is their way of doing things and that is one of the reasons why I am winning elections and favours here.
Ika Weekly: Meaning that you are equally a grass root person like your parents?
Answer: Definitely yes, I am a grass root person. And it is one of the reasons why Senator Narudeen Ademola Adeleke Jackson appointed me into this present position. He recognized that having a grassroot person in such a position is key. That if this guy is nominated for the post of Special Adviser on Local Government Affairs, he will be able to deliver, and he will perform very well.
Ika Weekly; For the sake of clarity, so you speak Yoruba fluently?
Answer: Yes. I speak Yoruba fluently because I was born and brought up in Yoruba land, but at the same time, I speak Ika language excellently.
Ika Weekly: That’s a good one. So, from all indications, if you are even given the opportunity to contest for Osun State House of Assembly, chances are that you may win?
Answer: Though I am not planning to go into any complex politics at the moment. I am not going to do that because there are some things that should be done in the right way. But, if the community says it is me that they want, we want you to do it, so be it. It is all about service delivery.
Ika Weekly: Thank you. Osun State is a PDP state, Delta is equally a PDP state and fortunately, you enjoy a relationship with these two states. What do you think the two states will benefit from your appointment?
Answer: You see, as I am now, a member of PDP, serving as the Special Adviser to the governor on local government affairs, I believe we would explore in order to see what the two states can benefit from one another. That Osun state can benefit from Delta State, and Delta state can also benefit from Osun state.
I believe in Delta State, we have so many things. We have so many natural resources in Delta State. As you know in Osun state, we are into some level of farming as well. We can look at the way we can combine them together and come out with a good relationship that will help both states to develop. At least, in Osun we have gold while in Delta, there is crude oil. So, we can look at ways things can go between these two states and things will go on fine with the two states.
SEE ALSO: PERSONALITY: I AM A PROUD IKA MAN ANYWHERE I GO -Ika Etumuse
Ika Weekly: Thank you so much Sir. Again, for you to have been recognized in Osun state, it means you have some leadership qualities that are very key to societal development. Do you have any plan of repatriating your leadership capacity home, by coming to Delta to contest for any elective position?
Answer: Being a PDP member, I am led to say that contest is not about serving to reign. If my people in Delta think they want me, if they reach out to me, I will definitely come home and do the needful.
Ika Weekly: But there is equally a saying that you need to fight to be a man. That up there, the table is always filled up so you need to be the one to make people pave way for you to place your seat.
Answer: I understand. Actually, I may not wait for people to tell me to do this and do that. But in one way or the other, if you make an attempt, I want to be this, I want to contest for this post, if people are interested in you, so be it. You cannot force your people, you cannot force yourself on people but if they want you, no problem.
Ika Weekly: That’s a very good one. Let’s talk about your principal who happens to be the Governor of Osun State. How would you evaluate his administration so far?
Answer: So far, so good, my Principal, Senator Nurudeen Ademola Adeleke Jackson has been performing. Most of the abandoned projects by previous administrations in the state, like roads, are currently being completed by my principal. For example, there is a road that links Osogbo to other towns in the state that was long abandoned. As I speak today, the road is receiving attention; The roundabout road in Osogbo is wearing a good and new look now. The administration led by my principal is giving priority to many projects at the same time.
And also, there will be a flyover bridge that will be constructed soonest in the state. We are waiting for contractors to submit their billing, to submit their quotation and any contractor that wins will be given the job. Also, as I speak today, our primary health care centers are now going on solar electrification. They are being powered by solar. Our governor is doing well. He is a performing governor.
Ika Weekly: What about youth empowerment and human capital development?
Answer: Definitely yes, the governor is working on that and we are reaching out to the youths from time to time. There is this gathering that is coming up on October 7 if I’m not mistaken. I think the gathering is IMOLE gathering and questions will be asked directly to the governor and the governor will also speak his mind and tell the people what he has in stock for them.
Ika Weekly: Now, that you are sure that he is performing, what message do you have for him as you look into the future?
Answer: All I can say is ‘Governor, keep the good work going’. 2026 is sure, God is your strength. 2026, Osun is with you. My governor is performing.
Ika Weekly: So, you are sure that he is coming back for the second time?
Answer: Definitely. I’m sure of that.
Ika Weekly: That’s a good one. Back to our home state, Delta. What message do you have for the people of Ika nation?
Answer: the message is simple; my brothers, my sisters, my fathers, my mothers, all I can say is thank you. You people have been supportive all the way and the prayers you have been saying for me from time to time for me have been very effective, in one way or the other, I would keep appreciating it and I will be supportive in whatever capacity you want me to serve you.
Ika Weekly: Message to the youths?
Answer: All I can say is maintain your image. We know the situation of the country. We know there is this alarming rate of unemployment, and we know things are not easy. But in everything, I will say they should be honest. In all their daily encounters, they should be very honest. They should believe that honesty pays. If you are honest, there is nothing you will want to achieve that you will not be able to achieve. There is no limit you can’t go.
Ika Weekly: On a final note, your landlord where you have turned out to be an indigene, the good people of Osun State that have accommodated you. What message do you have for them from your own perspective and what do you expect them to do for your principal who happens to be the governor?
Answer: For the youths, I keep saying that I’m a grassroot person and my doors are always open anytime. Each time they want anything, they can walk up to me. Politics is all about development and meeting the needs of.
Sometimes, you may look at a community, thinking that all that that community, wants is electricity, whereas it is not electricity, maybe its pipe borne water, hospital, good school and all you just need to do is to reach out to them.
Also, like I earlier said, if they want to reach out to the governor, they should come to me. My doors are open. We can easily facilitate it and fast track it and find a way they can see Mr. Governor.
Ika Weekly; Thanks for granting us this interview.
Answer; it is my pleasure.