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Before Ajimobi decides on successor || By Toye Arulogun

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THE Oyo State political landscape is swarming with an unprecedented number of aspirants to the number one seat in the state. This is a good development because never in the history of the pace setter state has there been such a plethora of individuals interested in governing the state.

It is worthy of emphasis here to state that the current scenario in Oyo State politics reinforces the popular saying that “True leaders don’t create followers; they create more leaders”. Coming on the heels of the first administration to win a second term in the state, it is obvious that the outgoing governor has raised the bar of politics and governance high enough to attract serious contenders from the political class as well as technocrats.

This appeal is further confirmed by the good quality of aspirants in terms of educational background, professional career, record of achievements, private and public sector leadership experience. While some may aver that the availability of quality aspirants is weighted more in the ruling party, such claim does not obliterate the fact that from a drone view of the current Oyo State political panorama, the camera is capturing multiple dots of quality aspirants which will naturally and forever change the configurations and equations in the political capital of South West Nigeria.

Convincingly, this turn of a new page in this fresh chapter of the Oyo State history books is a bequest of the current governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, who has provided a strong allure for the abundant aspirants.

So, where does Oyo State go from here? What does this really mean and how does the state derive benefit from this elevation of quality standards in its leadership? Governor Ajimobi is at the twilight of his eight-year “Koseleri” term. Every great leader, either in the public or private sector, endeavours to succeed himself.

John C. Maxwell, the management expert, puts it succinctly when he says “There is no success without a successor”, while leadership coach, Bill Bliss, puts it very pointedly as a key leadership function by stating categorically that “The number one role of any leader is to identify and prepare their successor”.

The clock is ticking. Time is short. The list is long. Aspirants are in excess. Options are many. It is now a matter of choice. Governor Ajimobi must weigh the options and narrow down his choices and ultimately make the choice of a successor. The die is cast. Time for decision is now.

As the longest serving governor of Oyo State, for a historic eight years, it goes without saying that the choice of a successor is one of the hardest decisions Governor Ajimobi needs to take for the sake of Oyo State.

While Governor Ajimobi is reputed for being a principle-centred leader who is bold and courageous to take strong and hard decisions for the sake of development, I am convinced that taking this decision will not be a walk in the park. Certainly, it will not be not as easy as the resolve to curtail the insecurity he met in May 2011, ban street trading, cancel automatic promotion in schools, engage stakeholders in the management of secondary schools with the establishment of the School Governing Boards, relocate butchers to a new central abattoir, enforce environmental sanitation laws, elevate traditional rulers to Obaship positions, embark on the reform of the civil and public service amongst many others.

That strength of character to take decisions in the overall interest and development of the state is the singular and most important quality Governor Ajimobi’s successor must possess. Bravura must be in the DNA of the next ‘constituted authority’.

In our largely traditional and conservative state with a deeply rooted culture of impunity and condonation, Governor Ajimobi needs a successor with strong moral fibre; an individual who understands, appreciates and values the position of the governor; an individual who can take hard decisions for the sake of development, no matter whose ox is gored. That successor must be a dauntless leader with spunk, who can differentiate between merit and expediency.

Governor Ajimobi’s successor must be ready to build on the foundation his predecessor has laid in building a modern Oyo State. In taking the baton from “the builder”, he or she must be prepared and work hard to move Oyo State upwards from the current 4th investment-friendly state in Nigeria, uphold its four-star rating in facilitating foreign and domestic investment by the Nigerian Investment Promotions Council, sustain the renaissance of the night economy, improve on the 147 per cent increase in key players in the hospitality and tourism sector, surpass the best West African Senior School Certificate result in 18 years, continue with the Geographic Information System project and implementation of the Ibadan Master Plan as well as other master plans, advance to phase 2 of e-governance beyond pay roll system automation, add to the Ajumose fleet of 100 mass transit buses provided for both the general public and those dedicated to civil servants.

The next ‘constituted authority’ will be required to manage the N50bn Health Endowment Fund, Oyo State Education Trust Fund, Oyo State Security Trust Fund as well as the first state health insurance scheme in Nigeria. The next Mr Governor must position Oyo State in taking advantage of the completion of the Lagos — Ibadan Expressway and the Federal Government’s rail project; open up the state to more Agric investors beyond the Dangote Group, Friesland Campina and others; grow Oyo State Pace Setter Integrated organic Farm, Songhai Model, Awe and provide additional farm land for them beyond the current 250 hectares.

The next occupant of the governor’s lodge in Ibadan needs to reduce the time frame for the processing of the electronic C of O from the current 60 days, deploy the data from the land and house enumeration across the state for better planning, continue the infrastructural revolution with the rehabilitation, expansion, and completion of road networks like the 110km Ibadan Circular Road.

Listing where we are in Oyo State in some sectors is germane to the issue at hand because a. call to leadership is a call to advance the current situation a call to move things forward, a call to make a positive difference by improving the status quo. Do we have that individual who can make the difference? Of course. Even Governor Ajimobi agrees that there are “eminently qualified” aspirants to the Governor’s Office. With a lot of sound curriculum vitae in the air, what then should determine the choice?

One thing is as sure as death. Great leaders are not those who aspire to be leaders but those who set out to make a difference. Governor Ajimobi’s successor must be the one that is hungry and thirsty for making a difference, one that is passionate about success; living and breathing excellence with a rare commitment to developing Oyo State just like his predecessor. That is only when that individual will make a difference…. the difference that will mould the building blocks on the foundation and pillars of a modern Oyo State.

 

Toye Arulogun is the Oyo State Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism.

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Politics

Relief as Rep ‘Lafi’ Empowers 300 Constituents Through Skill Acquisition Programme

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Over 300 constituents of Akinyele/Lagelu Federal Constituency in Oyo State benefitted from a skill acquisition and empowerment programme organized by their representative in the National Assembly, Hon. Akinmoyede Olafisoye.

The event, held at Faith Joe Event Centre, Alegongo, Akobo, Ibadan, aimed to address the challenges of unemployment and economic hardship by equipping participants with practical skills and financial support.

The programme focused on empowering youths, students, and unemployed graduates to become self-reliant. Each participant was provided with a certificate, a Point of Sale (POS) terminal, an umbrella, and ₦100,000 as a startup grant to kickstart their businesses.

The tools and financial aid were designed to enable beneficiaries to establish sustainable sources of income.

Participants received comprehensive training, gaining hands-on experience to ensure they could effectively utilize the tools provided. The POS machines were configured with the personal details of the recipients, ensuring proper use and discouraging unauthorized transfers.

Addressing the participants, Akinmoyede who is the Chairman House Committee on Nigeria/ Mexico Parliamentary Friendship enjoined the beneficiaries to explore the opportunity for their benefit by ensuring that they use the machines for the purpose it was meant for.

He added that all the machines have been configured with the documents of individual beneficiaries which will make it very difficult to transfer to another person.

In his goodwill message, the Oyo Central Senatorial chairman of APC, Hon. Joshua Oyebamiji said comparing what the lawmaker has been doing in the area of dishing out empowerment and palliatives to his constituents, it is difficult to tag him a first-timer at the national assembly.

While appreciating Akinmoyede for his gesture at the event, former APC Deputy State Chairman, Alhaji Isiaka Alimi, Hon. Fatai Awoyoola, and Hon. Akinbode Emmanuel said they were yet to discover the magic wand being used by the lawmaker for his constant and habitual empowerment programmes.

Some of the beneficiaries who spoke at the end of the training, Afolabi Kuburat, Akinropo Akindotun, Ajala Abisade Iyabo, and Grace Anuoluwapo Ayinde lauded the lawmaker for giving them the opportunity to be self-reliant at this time when Nigerians are facing economic hardship.

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Oyo: Olafisoye Facilitates Capacity-Building Training for 300 Constituents

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The House of Representatives member representing Akinyele/Lagelu federal constituency Oyo State, Hon. Prince Akinmoyede Olafisoye Wasiu has initiated another skill acquisition and capacity-building training for no fewer than 300 members of his constituency.

The initiative which is being organized in partnership with Federal Cooperative College, Ibadan is part of a strategic effort by the lawmaker to foster rural development of cooperative for their economic emancipation and break the shackles of poverty so as to alleviate the impact of the high cost of living among the people in Akinyele/Lagelu federal constituency he represents.

The training programme is coming up on Monday 18th November, 2024 at Faith Joe Event Centre hall. Alegongo, Ibadan by 8.00am.

A statement issued by the Special Assistant on Media to the lawmaker, Alimi Abdullahi stated that the capacity-building is designed to equip participants with essential entrepreneurial skills with a view to building sustainable livelihoods and improve the quality of lives of the people of Akinyele/Lagelu federal constituency.

All the participants for the training are expected to be at the venue by 8am so as not to miss any part of the training.

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#OndoDecides2024: Rep Oseni Hails Aiyedatiwa’s Victory, Commends Residents for Peaceful Polls

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The Chairman of the House Committee on Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA) and lawmaker representing Ibarapa East/Ido Federal Constituency of Oyo State, Engr. Aderemi Oseni has congratulated Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa on his victory in the recently concluded Ondo State gubernatorial election.

Aiyedatiwa, the incumbent governor of the Sunshine State, was declared the winner of the election on Sunday at 2:30 pm. He defeated his closest rival, Ajayi Agboola of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), in a landslide victory.

In a statement issued on Sunday by his media aide, Idowu Ayodele, Oseni described Aiyedatiwa’s triumph as a testament to his resilience, grassroots connection, and unwavering dedication to the development of Ondo State.

He praised the electorate for reaffirming their trust in visionary leadership.

“I extend my heartfelt congratulations to my dear brother, Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, on this historic victory. Your emergence reflects the confidence and hope the people have in your ability to deliver purposeful and transformative leadership,” Oseni remarked.

The lawmaker commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), security agencies, and other stakeholders for their pivotal roles in ensuring a transparent and credible election.

He also applauded the people of Ondo State for their active participation and peaceful conduct during the polls, which bolstered the election’s credibility.

Oseni expressed optimism that Aiyedatiwa’s administration will usher in renewed development, unity, and prosperity for the state.

“As you prepare to assume office, I urge all stakeholders and citizens of Ondo State to lend their support to your administration. Together, you can advance progress and strengthen the democratic foundations for a better Ondo State,” he stated.

 

He further expressed confidence that Aiyedatiwa’s second term will be characterized by impactful governance and innovative policies that will advance the state’s growth and enhance the welfare of its people.

 

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