For Senator Iyiola Omisore, playing lawn tennis is the best way to catch fun and shy away from the pressure of political engagements. This is because whenever he plays the game, he is re-energised and this enables him to confront anything or issue. "I like playing tennis because it is very energetic and of course, you can achieve so much within a short time in terms of exercising yourself physically and intellectually," an excited Omisore said.
Apart from the game of lawn tennis, Omisore, who was deputy governor of Osun State from 1999 to 2002, posited that another thing of interest that refreshes him is spending time with his family because of the bonding it creates. "I love staying with my people because I like community life. I also like staying with my old friends but most importantly my family members. "My family is a very large one; it can even pass as the largest in Yorubaland. And because we live together, my kids are still in school, and as a result of my lifestyle, before I go to work, I spend time with them most especially during the weekends," the former senator said with nostalgia.
On his passion for politics and how relaxation enhances it, Omisore said: "If politics is left in the hands of people who do not value others, then we are taking a big risk. That is why I have come out with the intention to salvage my people from what they are presently facing in my state. Politics, as I see it, is about service." Omisore was in the senate between 2003 and 2011 and in the period, he not only distinguished himself by way of disposition and style, he was a force to reckon with, both in his state of Osun and the South-west region. Amongst other committees, he was Chairman, Senate Committee on Industries from 2004 to 2005; Chairman, Senate Committee on Inter-governmental Affairs from 2005 to 2007 and Chairman, Senate Committee on Appropriation from 2007 to 2011, in addition to his membership of several other committees.
Of course, his sojourn to the senate was not a sheer waste of time and representation. With an influence that still looms large, Omisore is said to have attracted various infrastructural projects to his state, leveraging his contacts and influence at the national front. Such included the dualisation of Ilorin-Ogbomosho-Ibadan road and rehabilitation of Ife-Ipetu-Ilesa-Akure road, amongst other imposing projects. Apart from infrastructure, Omisore is also into human capital development which, according to him, helps build enduring institutions. In his personal capacity, Omisore has continued to sponsor youths in the area of education through his scholarship scheme. "I organise scholarship programmes and pay school fees of the less-privileged students. These are the reasons for my commitment to philanthropy. My basic philosophy is simple: love your neighbour as yourself. When you love your neighbour, you will not hurt him and second, you do to others what you would like them to do to you," said Omisore who sounded spiritual as he alluded to the Holy books.
As a grassroots politician who has been involved in several community works and whose impact has been felt in various towns of the state and beyond, Omisore is not disillusioned about his passion and commitment to expand the frontiers of philanthropy, using the governorship of the state as a veritable platform. Having been a deputy governor and ranking senator, many see Omisore as boasting requisite experience to navigate the state and take it to the next level.
Interestingly, he does not pretend about his governorship ambition, a project he has continued to invest in, both materially and intellectually. Importantly, Omisore believes a lot of the people of Osun are craving for change, the type he is ready and willing to offer, counting also on his intellectual strength as a recent graduate of doctoral degree from an American university. Perhaps, with a resounding educational background, experience and track record of performance in the private sector, Omisore eagerly looks forward to bringing about the much awaited change on the turf of Osun.
allafrica.com
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