By Michael-Azeez Ogunsiji

According to the popular socialist and former Nigeria’s Health Minister, Alh. Aminu Kano in one of his chronicles, postulated that “Nigeria will know no peace, until the son of nobody becomes somebody, without knowing anybody”.

The above submission by the elderstateman epitomizes the belief and political ideology of Otunba Rotimi Paseda (ORP). Prince Rotimi Paseda, a businessman cum politician broke the age long barrier in the political system of Ogun State, Nigeria by venturing into politics without attaching himself to the apron string of some godfathers who without their endorsement no one can dare contest an elective position in Nigeria.

Born on 22nd June, 1965, Prince Olatunde Rotimi Paseda hails from Omu-Ijebu in the Eastern part of Ogun State. He is a UK/Mexico based business man. He came from a family of five, his mother was a retired teacher in public service and his dad was a store keeper at PZ, Paterzon Zochonic Nigeria Limited in the 60s. He started his career in PZ and ended his career in PZ. He was the longest serving staff at that point. Today, Otunba Rotimi Paseda is well-known as Omo Iya Teacher (Teacher’s son).

Paseda attended Baptist Academy, Lagos for His O'level. He thereafter travelled abroad for his University education. He attended the University of London, Berbeck College, UK where he studied Transport Management and later got his Post Graduate Diploma in Tourism and Recreation Management from University of Cardiff, Wales, UK.

He is a member of the Chartered Institute of Transport, United Kingdom, and worked briefly as European Air Tour Operator with Euro Skyhop International before establishing Skylink Travels and Tours over twenty-five years ago. This was the commencement of his self-employment venture in the United Kingdom and Worldwide.

Otunba Paseda, not minding the herculean task and daunting challenges before him, entered into the governorship race with only three months to prepare for the Governorship election in the State alongside the incumbent, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, PDP flagbearer, Prince Gboyega Nasir Isiaka. Though, he was not declared winner of the keenly contested election that almost plugged the State into chaos, as he is from nowhere came (3rd). Paseda believes in the popular Yoruba adage…”Ti esin ba dani, a ma ntun gun ni”. Little wonder, he is once again seeking the support of the good people of Ogun State come 2019.

Paseda, worried about the economic effects on the people, established "Paseda Legacy Foundation", a non-governmental organization to better the lives of the downtrodden in the society. ORP as fondly called, through his foundation, PLF has empowered hundreds of youths, the aged, market women, students and health challenged victims at the hospitals.

A testimony to many of his kind gestures include: donation of Millions of Naira to young entrepreneurs who graduated from his Achievers Youths Initiatives Skills Acquisition training for many people in Obafemi/Owode local government of the State, flying out a nine year-old Oluwatosin Solanke who has a kidney disease to India for surgery, complete payment of leg surgery for Animasahun Ismail who was to be amputated by local surgeon, but Otunba Rotimi Paseda saved the victim at Federal Medical Centre, Idi-Aba, Abeokuta with his prompt intervention, purchase of laptop computers for Gateway Polytechnic ICT Students, who ran to his Foundation for help, provision of affordable and conducive accommodation for victims whose houses were demolished by the Ogun State Government for road construction and could not get compensation, free scholarship for Itoku Market collapsed building victims' children for their secondary education among many others.

Our leaders lack good governance, all they are after is the money

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