“I am not working for any Politician, helping people out of poverty is my priority” – Aaraj

It was one-in-town birthday preparation of the Osogbo born businessman cum philanthropist, Engineer Kehinde Raji popularly known as Aaraj, as family, friends, associates and beneficiaries of his Philanthropic gesture converged on Thursday to honour him at the event tagged ‘An Evening With Aaraj, OSUNREPORTERS NEWS gathered.

At the event held a day before his birthday at his GRA residence in Osogbo, Osun State capital, Aaraj explained that helping people out of poverty is one of his priorities in life, adding that his humble beginning had taught him how life can be easy for everyone if we can continue to help one another.

While responding to questions from journalists after some panelists have spoken about power tussles between predecessors and incumbent in Nigeria, the 49-year-old celebrant also said that he has no intention of joining partisan politics, explaining that those who misinterpreted his gesture as politically inclined cannot distract him.

The Chief of Executive Officer of Aaraj Group also added that he is not working for any Politician and he’s not bothered about the controversies surrounding his moves in Osogbo and Osun State in general, reaffirming that Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola has contributed to his business carrier while both former and incumbent Governors of Osun, Aregbesola and Gboyega Oyetola are like father figures to him respectively.

“My parents were middle-class citizens and our humble beginning had taught a lot, helping people out of poverty is one of my priority. I have never had any relationship with any of the state accountants generals whether present or past. The only things I do here are when someone has been awarded a contract but needs an expert to handle it for him. That’s only time I come in.

“Let me state here that Oyetola, Aregbesola are like father figures to me and I’ll continue to appreciate them. God announced me in Osun State during the administration of former Governor Aregbesola in 2012 and I will continue to appreciate him.”

“I have no interest in politics. My people are too poor and my priority now is to uplift them to a level where they can get three square meals. This is my priority today not politics. I’m not bothered about the controversies surrounding my activities in the State. Whatever anyone says is his or her opinion. I don’t feel bothered and I believe the controversies will go down soon,” he expressed.

Panelists who spoke at the event are, Comrade Wale Adebisi of Olaoni Centre; Dr Lekan Ogunyemi who is a lecturer from the Osun State Polytechnic, Iree; Barrister Rahman Okunade who is the immediate past NPA Chairman of Osogbo among other speakers and eminent personalities within and outside Osogbo.