Following the inauguration of the eight Assembly in June 2015, we never knew that one of us would end his Journey on this Legislative assignment in eight months. However, there is a popular saying that it is not how far, but how well that matters. We thank the Almighty for the life of Late Hon. Moses Musa Afolayan. His brief stay together with us was not without indelible marks in the progress of this House, his immediate constituency and Kwara State at large.

Before he was elected as a member of the Eight Legislature, the Late Hon. Moses Musa Afolayan was the pioneer Chairman of Oke-Ero Local Government who started and completed the Secretariat Building of Oke-Ero Local Government within the short period he served.

During his tenure as the Pioneer Council Chairman, he  placed all traditional Chiefs in all Communities in Oke-Ero Local Government on payroll.

As the Chairman, he re-linked the abandoned Idofin-Igbana-Idofin Odo-Ashe Road and made it motorable while he also opened up the ring road in Idofin-Igbana.

Late Hon. Moses Musa Afolayan ensured the engagement of many indigenes of the Local Government (Oke-Ero) into the Local Government services and also helped many to secure employment, even outside the Council.

He also sponsored the advancement of many indigent pupils and students both within and outside the community and ensured that their school fees were paid promptly.

He established Area offices in both Idofin-Igbana and Idofin-Odo-Ashe and he turned the Area office at Ekan-Meje to a full fledged area office.

Moreover, he was a dependable financier of the community all the time the need arise.     

Late Hon. Moses Musa Afolayan was a Member of the House Committee on Ethics, Privileges, Public Service and Judiciary and Social Development Youth, Sport and Information. At Plenary and Committee Sittings, Late Hon. Afolayan would not talk much but his brief comments were always full of sincerity of purpose, frankness, and well-being of Kwarans. The Late Afolayan would always want the House to be thorough before taking decisions. I recollect vividly his words on an issue brought before the House he said “the issue is premature to be brought here, there was need to ask the following questions: what is the level of the job done? Has the contractor not been paid? ”             

Distinguished colleagues, we have missed in Late Hon. Afolayan, a concerned Hon. Member who wanted the excesses of some Prison Officers at Oke-Kura curtailed. We have missed a Hon. Member who wanted the House to recognize the enormous challenges of the Nigerian Police. 

Invited stakeholders, my colleagues, we have missed a democrat who was loved by his people because of the love he had for his community, Late Afolayan was happy with the capturing of the construction of Oko-Idofin-Igbana-Ode-Ase road to Aiyekale In his constituency. The Late Hon. Member pleaded passionately that Odo-Owa/Erinmope, Egosi-Aiyedun, Ilofa-Imode to Erinmope, all the roads to the neighbouring Local Government and State borders be constructed. But unfortunately, he never lived to see these dreams realized in his community. It is in his honour that these projects must be included in 2016 Budget. 

Distinguished Colleagues, Late Hon. Moses Musa Afolayan, while contributing to the debate on 2016 Budget some few days before he died, he emphasized on Budget Implementation and for the House not to shy away from its responsibility especially as representative of the people. He believed that as the direct representatives of the people, we know the needs of our constituencies. We have missed in him a member who was accommodating, easy going, and a philanthropist committed to the well being and aspiration of his community. As we are mourning his death, I want to assure you all that this Hon. House would not relent in its effort to ensure that his aspirations for his constituency are realized and that his legacy is sustained as a mark of honour to the Late Hon. Member.