Hon.Chief Mrs.Kikelomo Tawakalitu Aridunnu Delano was born and grew up in Ifo.
Kikelomo Delano attended Anwarudeen Primary School, proceeded to Ikenne for her secondary school, and thereafter to the Lagos State College of Science & Technology for advance studies.
She however gained admission to the University of Ibadan to study Agricultural Science.
She was the former Secretary, Ifo Local Government Ogun State, Nigeria..She equally jostled for the Federal House of Representatives on the platform of All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2019.
Also, she contested for the chairmanship slot of Ifo Local Government on several occasions, although, she won but the Peoples Democratic Party ( PDP) rigged her out.
Meanwhile, she is vying for the chairmanship slot in Ifo Local Government in the up coming LGs election in the Gateway State and having been tested, and trusted, she has been found reliable and dependable.
The coast is getting clearer and of course, she made her door opened in commemoration of her sixty birthday bash amid fun recently.
She spoke in an interview recently.
Congratulations on your 60th birthday,
How do you feel at 60?
I feel very happy, I am a lone child of my mother. When she was alive, she wanted me to get married in time in order to see my children and I prayed to God to give me grace to be 40.. However, when I clocked 40, I marked it in elaborate way..Now, at 60, I am happy despite one or two challenges, still, I marked it to show gratitude to God for sparing my life and for being wonderful.
Can you shed more light on your chairmanship ambition in Ifo Local Government?
I have been involved in politics since 1999 and this is not the first time I am contesting but this time around, God has ordained it.
Thus, the former governor of Ogun State, Chief Olusegun Osoba during his tenure appointed me as one of the boards of Olabisi Onabanjo University. Thereafter, I vied for the chairmanship slot, I won but I was rigged out by the Peoples Democratic party (PDP) and by his grace, I will be the next chairman of the local government.
Can you tell us about your sojourn In politics?
Politics requires a lot of patience and determination. Don’t be discouraged just because you lose an election. I have always have it in mind that come what may, I want to serve my people and that has been my driving force. Also, the interest of my people is always at the center of my mind and with God on my side, this is my time and I am going to deliver
How are you coping as a grassroots politician in a harsh economy?
My door is always opened to everybody from morning till night and God will not allow any bad thing to happen to me. Some come in for financial assistance, some for support, and others for advice and words of encouragement. Atimes, I abandon my car, take a walk to know their feelings and plans what to do for them.
If you emerge as the chairman, what are your plans?
Like I said, I have been in politics since 1999 and I have my blueprints. His Excellency, Governor Dapo Abiodun of the state saw what I have in mind. I will provide fire service station in Ifo. Fire station is far from us, the fire station that we use is far from us. It is either you pass through Lagos or Papa Lantoro, or go to Ewekoro Local Government before you get to the fire station around. I have been thinking of building two fire stations in the area. Indefatigable Governor Abiodun has given us one and work is in progress for the fire station in Constituency 11 for my people.
Infact, the Governor always aligns with the national directives before he takes any action.
Also, I will provide Library for the people. As you all know that books are very expressive and the youths need to be engaged in order to reduce thuggery and vices. Many of our youths want to read but their parents have no money to buy books for them.
In the same vein, plans are on ground to build recreational center where people can converge and a mini stadium where people can develop their talents.
Women are not left out, we are planning training and retraining programmes for them so that they could go into soap making, sewing amongst other empowerment programmes that we have for them. The youths will be trained in all areas of businesses and we will empower them.
What is your assessment of Governor Dapo Abiodun?
He is a silent achiever and I appreciate him. He once told us that his government will be all inclusive and he has done that. He equally promised that he would complete all abandoned projects of the previous government because tax-payers money have been spent and he has been trying to ensure that this is done. I pray God will give him more strength to do more for his people.
What is your take on the crisis between herdsmen and farmers?
In my own view our traditional rulers should be involved. They know the nooks and crannies of the areas around them and they should know how to manage the crisis for peace to reign. Although, the Federal Government is trying its best, but Nigeria is a diverse nation. Therefore, traditional rulers should be involved and they should join hands with Amotekun and other security agencies to bring about security. There is no hiding place to perpetrate crime in the grassroots once they (traditional rulers) are involved and all of them can be checked for normalcy to return.
Can you talk on politics of the past and now?
When I joined politics in 1999, we respected our leaders but now, the youths don’t respect elders..They don’t have voters card and so they cannot vote on election day. They won’t come out to vote. In a nutshell, the youths are not prepared for the task ahead and it is a pity. Regarding the #Endsars protests, it took the youths a lot of time to present leaders to discuss with the governmen
Am really happy and more excited for the intention of Hon. (Mrs) KIKELOMO DELANO(Executive chairman ifo Local government) on what she intends to do for us on our area (ifo) and I pray Almighty Allah ?? gives her the strength and power to do it. Good luck Ma.