Mohammed Shosanya
A senior secondary school student of Favourland College, Igboora, Oyo State, Miss Peace Oladosu will participate in a plenary session of the House of Representatives when the Green Chamber resumes from its Sallah break on July 2, 2024.
Miss Oladosu’s symbolic one-day membership of the House of Representatives is courtesy of the member representing Ibarapa Central/Ibarapa North Federal Constituency, Oyo State, Adebayo Adepoju, after she won an intellectual competition sponsored by the lawmaker.
The winner alongside her parents, will travel to Abuja by air, where they will be lodged in a five-star hotel, preparatory to her participation in a one-day session with federal lawmakers in plenary.
This is contained in a statement made available to journalists in Abuja on Wednesday by the Special Adviser to the lawmaker, on Media and Publicity, Mr Hassan Olaoniye.
The statement explained that the young Oladosu, a native of Idere town, emerged victorious in the intellectual competition which enjoyed the massive participation of students from secondary schools in the five principal towns of the federal constituency.
The statement read in part, “On Monday, June 17, 2024, the Ibarapa region of Oyo State achieved a historic milestone by producing its first-ever One-Day House of Representatives Member.
“This unique initiative, a product of the Ibarapa Central/Ibarapa North Federal Constituency, was spearheaded by Hon Adebayo Adepoju.
“The One-Day House of Representatives Member programme aims to engage young minds, foster future legislators from the federal constituency and inspire children to succeed regardless of their socio-economic background.
“It is also aimed at incorporating youth-driven initiatives previously overlooked. The programme also seeks to develop intellectually-minded young leaders for the constituency’s progress.”
The statement added that the event was attended by traditional rulers, academics, eminent individuals, political officeholders from local, state and federal levels, religious leaders and many other Nigerians
The grand finale, it stated, coincided with the lawmaker’s one-year in office celebration, and was an extension of the Ibarapakan Essay Competition.
The statement further read, “The finalists were evaluated on presentation (oratory skills), essay writing (writing proficiency), and spelling bees (spelling and pronunciation accuracy).
“The judging panel included Barrister Lekan Awolusi, Senior Legislative Aide to the lawmaker, Feyisitan Ijimakinwa and Chidinma Danjibo from the University of Ibadan.
“The winner’s benefits include free return flight tickets to Abuja with her parents, a day of decision-making for the constituency, and witnessing a live House of Representatives plenary.
“She will also sit in the lawmaker’s official seat, gaining practical legislative knowledge, meeting the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and staying in a five-star hotel.”
A cash award of N50,000 was given to each finalist.
“He (Adepoju) released a 54-page account of his one-year in office, expressing gratitude to the constituency for their support.
“His report detailed job opportunities in various federal agencies, numerous constituency projects, bills, motions, social responsibilities, and pioneering initiatives within the constituency,” the statement added.