Opinion: Governor Makinde’s first 365 days: An appraisal of a  focus administration | By Olamiposi Ishola

May 29, 2020 marked the first 365 days of the new administration in Oyo state that ushered in Engr.  Seyi Makinde as the 5th Executive Governor of the state after the return of the forth republic – the on going uninterrupted civilian rule since 1999.

No doubt, the road to Agodi government house was tortuous and deadly, just like any other governorship seat in Nigeria due to the rigorous exercise of electioneering campaign and Processes. Oyo state governorship seat is more difficult been the political headquarters of the south west region.

There is no gainsaying the fact that the exalted seat that the likes of Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Chief Samuel Akintola , Oba Adesoji Aderemi , Chief Kolapo Olawuyi Ishola, Alhaji Lam Adesina and others too numerous to mention sat is not just a seat but hot seat for tough political decisions.

I need to apologize for this lengthy article because I am a broadcast journalist and do not write much unlike print journalism where respected bosses of mine like Messrs Festus Adedayo, Taiwo Adisa,  Jide Ajani, Lasisi Olagunju, Lani Baderinwa and host others dominated the space of most newspapers in the country.

However, here is my appraisal of Governor Seyi Makinde’s administration.

I am one of the few journalists who were and still with Engr. Seyi Makinde as Governor’s elect and eventually Executive Governor of the pace setter state.

I must not fail to acknowledge the Management of the Broadcasting Corporation of Oyo State under Veteran broadcaster , Prince Dotun Oyelade for given me the rear opportunity to be at the state Secretariat as the corporation’s Governor’s office correspondent and add more to my Broadcast journalism experience.

Since last year May 29, I have reported over 200 events of Governor Seyi Makinde where he reiterated his administration’s commitment to bring much needed development to the state .

As a reporter and political observer, it is not out of place to encourage young politicians to emulate the leadership style of Governor Seyi Makinde, especially, Simplicity and his approach to governance .

Governor Makinde had declared that he has no god father except God who is the father and pilot of his administration and that’s why the welfare of people is given utmost priority by his government.

There are many abandoned companies when the present administration took over the mantle of leadership in 2019. These abandoned projects and waning companies should have been a great assets to the pacessetter state if effectively utilized.

For instance, the Pacessetter Asphalt plant and Quarry in Ijaye Area of Akinyele local government of Oyo state was established in 2004 by the administration of former Governor Rashidi Ladoja with the aim of producing Asphalt for road construction across the state. It had given direct and indirect jobs to over 700 people in Oyo State and thereby generated more revenue into government coffers. But for political and other reasons best known to previous administration, the place was abandoned and later became moribund.

Now,  the present administration under Governor Seyi Makinde has handed over the Asphalt plant to CARBONCOR Technology limited to commence operation at the site. He also directed the local government caretaker chairmen to buy Asphalts from the company. This singular gesture will no doubt improve the Internally Generated Revenue of the state.

It is interesting to know that despite the August 2011 flood disaster that claimed scores of lives and rendered many people homeless, past administration did not deemed it necessary to repair the damaged 77 year old Eleyele dam, but now the dam has been repaired . In his commitment to the social security agenda, Governor Makinde has reconstructed the Dam within one year of this administration.

It is another sad development that the LAUTECH Teaching Hospital Ogbomoso which was an initiative of former Governor Adebayo Alao Akala was neglected for eight years of the immediate past administration with over 40 billion Naira. The over N40billion hospital is nearly or completely moribund perhaps crying for help.

Let me also intimate you that five critical roads in Oyo state which include, New Garage/Kuola to Apata , Saki township road, Moniya/Iseyin road,Bashorun/Akobo road and the proposed Ibadan circular road was left uncompleted by the previous administration.

Among these projects- Moniya Iseyin road has been rewarded to competent contractor, while work is very slow at other projects,  especially Bashorun Akobo road. And nothing reasonably has been done as regards  the proposed Ibadan circular project, due to the bottle neck attached to the contracts by the immediate past administration.

Despite the Covid-19 Pandemic, the payment of salary and pension to the active and inactive workers is still regular in Oyo state. The salaries and pensions are being paid on or before the 25th of every month. This according to Governor Seyi Makinde will no doubt boost the economy of the state, coupled with the on going developmental projects in every nook and cranny of the state.

Government is a continuum and some projects left by previous administrations should be given adequate attention by the present administration but reverse is the case in Oyo state in the last few years before the emergence of Governor Seyi Makinde who is passionate about the development of the state with his wide spread knowledge in Politics and Managerial skills.

Another Amazing fact about Governor Seyi Makinde is that, he has a listening ear and take necessary steps and precaution to issues that are germane  to the development of the state. Even where there are mistakes in decision making, he agrees and makes necessary corrections unlike some Governors who were carried away by the glamour of the seat of Governor.

As a correspondent to the Governor’s office whose area of interest is Politics and governance, there is a long way to go for the present administration. A Governor that is passionate about the welfare of the people of Oyo state through provision of basic and infrastructural facilities in line with the four cardinal programmes of his government is being challenged by limited resources. The government lacks financial muscle to execute these lofty ideas at a go, especially in the midst of Covid-19 Pandemic which has ruined social and economic activities globally.

In the last one year,  Some Ministries, Agencies and government parastatals have been so wonderful in the discharge of their duties coupled with the resilience of the Media team of Governor Seyi Makinde led by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Taiwo Adisa and Special Adviser to the Governor on Media,   Mr Jide Ajani only God knows how many propagandas, lies and false statements that would have destroyed the good plan of the government, if not for the professionalism and proactive nature of the media handlers of the Governor.

With less than three years left, Governor Seyi Makinde has the opportunity to rewrite the story of Oyo state. The Governor is urged to be more committed to restoring Ibadan as the commercial hub through his four cardinal programmes.

If the tremendous support and love shown by people to the Seyi Makinde -led  government continues, it would be difficult to break the chain despite the threat by opposition party. Any government that has no respect for opinion of people on critical issues affecting the state is a complete failure.

 

 

Olamiposi Ishola, BCOS Governor’s office correspondent writes