HE HAS PAID HIS DUE: WHY AMB. S. OLA AJIMISAN SURPASSES OTHERS IN THE AREA OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT SERVICE

Stephen Ola Ajimisan who started serving Ilajeland as early as 18 years is no doubt, best among the candidates jostling for the Ondo State House of Assembly's ticket of Ilaje Constituency 2. Apart from being a thoroughbred and home-bred Ilaje-Etikan man, he has always demonstrated patriotism and true spirit of service to Ilajeland. Besides his rich and flamboyant academic credentials, which makes him the most admirably schooled among the contenders, he has gone ahead to prepare himself for service outside Ilajeland and even up to international level.

Apart from holding a Master's degree of the University of Ibadan, he holds a professional certificate in teaching profession issued by the Teachers' Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN) and certificate in translation from FCBH Global Mission, Albuquerque, USA. Most of his researches, some of which he had presented and published at conferences and in reputable journals of universities outside Nigeria are Ilaje-centric.

Here are his contributions in the area of community development service:

*Teaching for 3 years at Etikan High School, Ode-Etikan without collecting salary.

*During his undergraduate days, he was always organising free coaching for students at Ode-Etikan to equip them with the basic writing skills that would make them fit for admission into any university in the world.

*The execution and supervision of a mural design project the Ogwa Olikan at Ode-Etikan under Oba Adedoyin Oyetakin.

*He was commissioned by Oba Adedoyin Oyetakin to compile the Ekiki of all the ruling houses in Etikan which he delivered.

*Co-authoring the history of Etikan Kingdom under the title ETIKANOLOGY

*He is currently the palace chronicler to the current Olikan of Etikan Kingdom.

*His creative dexterity in the promotion of the rich cultural heritage of Ilajeland earned him the recognition as Ilaje Cultural Ambassador.

*He has been at the forefront of the advocacy for the development of Ilajeland and its emancipation from environmental scourge. His poetry book, Ajala-julu: The Eco-spirituals (2024) adjudged from the standpoint of Environmental Literary Studies as strident advocacy for the redemption of Ilajeland from the hands of governmental neglect and ocean upsurge.

*His creative exploits in the area of Literature earns him the nomination as the Literary Man of the Year (2023).

*He co-founded and chairs Centre for the Propagation of Ilaje Cultural Heritage and Centre for the Propagation of Etikan Traditional Heritage for the transmission of Ilaje cultural heritage in the digital age.

*Establishment of Royal Paraphernalia Press and Afrikan Heritage Press to help budding authors publish their literary works with ease.

*Annual visit to secondary schools in the Constituency tagged The Anthropo-centric Visit.

*Design of the new school badge of St. Luke's Anglican Primary School, Ode-Etikan

*Establishment of the school archives for the retrieval and preservation of old school documents.

*He did the same for St. Luke's Anglican Church, Ode-Etikan during his tenure as the Parish Church Council's Secretary.

*He is currently a member of the Historical Committee, Diocese of Ilaje, Anglican Communion and the Diocesan Communicator.

When S.Ola Ajimisan wins election into the Assembly, he will not run away from home. He is a rare breed and a dependable asset to Ilajeland in many ways. With him at the Assembly, representing Ilaje Constituency 2, the people can go to sleep because a competent man and irrepressible voice is there to speak for them.