Prince Kayode Oyetunde Bayewuwon, a philanthropist and political aspirant, has attributed his early interest in politics to the philosophy of late Chief Obafemi Awolowo, whose vision for Nigeria left a lasting impact on him.
Speaking to journalists in Ibadan, the Ogbomoso-born All Progressives Congress (APC) member recalled how his political journey started at the age of seven during the 1979 general elections.
“The crisis following the 1979 election caught my attention. I was fascinated by Chief Awolowo’s vision. Despite his loss, I admired his resilience and followed his speeches on NTA. His philosophy on governance and development deeply resonated with me,” Bayewuwon said.
Born on October 28, 1972, in Lagos, he attended The Polytechnic Ibadan, earning a National Diploma in Mathematics and Statistics before proceeding to Ondo State Polytechnic, where he studied Accounting. He later furthered his education in the United Kingdom, where he obtained a qualification in Computing Engineering.
Bayewuwon officially entered active politics at 19 in Mafoluku, Lagos, and contested for councilor positions at the ages of 18 and 21. Beyond politics, his philanthropic efforts include installing boreholes, renovating primary healthcare centers, sponsoring sports competitions, and providing scholarships across the 33 local government areas of Oyo State.
On his political ambition, Bayewuwon emphasized his commitment to public service. “We are a group of people ready to serve. We started with consultations, and the next phase is engaging the public through the media,” he said.
He also highlighted the crucial role of the media in fostering democracy and ensuring accountability. “The media is an essential partner in shaping public opinion and keeping leaders accountable,” he added.
Bayewuwon expressed optimism about Oyo State’s potential, noting that with the right leadership, the state could harness its human capital for rapid development.
“The brains to develop Oyo State reside here. With proper leadership, we will identify and nurture talents to drive the advancement of the state,” he declared.
On the state of education, he lamented the current situation and outlined his vision for improvement. “This is not the level we want our schools to be. When students graduate with less than five credits, we shouldn’t be happy. They need extra help, and our goal is for Oyo State to lead in education,” Bayewuwon concluded.
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