By: Tayo Oyekanmi
Ogun State has always been credited with a winning streak in many areas of human endeavors. The records are out there with so many firsts. They are too apparent to be dismissed. All previous democratically elected Governors from Chief Bisi Onabanjo, Aremo Segun Osoba, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, Sen. Ibikunle Amosun, and presently, Prince Dapo Abiodun, have added something meaningful to Ogun State as an entity.
Not too long ago, there have been a hue and cry around the state, occasioned by the state of roads and infrastructure deficit. Governor Dapo Abiodun has been responding equally and in equal measure. Roads in Akute, Alagbole, and Ajuwon axis in Ifo LG that were in shambles before are being delivered. So is Atan-Agbara stretch in Ado Odo Ota LG. The Oke Erinja road in Yewa south is being given a facelift after years of total dilapidation. The failed portion of the Sagamu end of Sagamu/Benin Ore dual carriageway is also receiving “action”. So many other inter/intra-city road projects are ongoing and in different stages of completion across the State. Other areas like food security, CNG intervention and many more, are receiving good attention from the state government, led by Governor Dapo Abiodun. The Governor merits a hearty round of applause as that’s the essence of good governance.
In Ogun West where Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola (Yayi) is holding the ace.
The breeze of responsive representation is sweeping through the 5 Local Governments and further afield. Talk of intervention programs, policies, and projects, Sen. Yayi is spreading the goodies. On Sunday 17th November, the Sen. held a stakeholders engagement with political leaders from the senatorial district, where he highlighted some of the projects to be delivered within the next 3 months, precisely before ending of January 2025. These include 25 roads across the 5 LG of the senatorial district, Empowerment, and Bursary/ Education support fund, energization of over 50 transformers, 5 mini solar grid to be installed as part of larger initiatives to solve the inconsistent power supply to our hospitals, police formations and schools, minimum of two graders to be made available for construction of access roads in our rural areas and many more Initiatives.
Just last August 10th, on his birthday, even in absential, over 15,000 constituents were empowered with various tools that will be of help in their crafts. Series of mega empowerment have been done in the past. Recently, leaders of APC in Ogun West were on the road, commissioning projects facilitated by Sen. Yayi in their respective local government areas. This occurred in all 5 LG of the region. The projects ranged from roads to School infrastructure, ICT Centres, Primary health centers, Town Halls, Market Stalls and Shops, and Skill Acquisition Centers like the Garri processing center in Ibeshe. On road facilitation, Ogun West is wearing a new look. There’s no sector of life that Yayi’s significant impact has not been felt within the short period of his representation. Yayi’s reputation is not just synonymous with good, but also quality effective representation. No individual in Ogun West today can be extricated from Yayi’s life impacting representation. If you are not benefitting either through road plying, health benefits or other empowerment programme, your offspring or relations are benefitting one way or the other. That’s how far Yayi has made life more meaningful for the people.
Last Saturday, the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria temporarily relocated to Ogun State, first to Akesan Day in iperu on Saturday 30th November and on Sunday 1st of December for the grand finale of Oronna festival in Ilaro with Yayi as a focal point, touch bearer, spring board and conveyor belt of some sort. The assemblage of that number of Distinguished Senators at a single event is unprecedented in the history of Ogun State. Tourism is a money-spinning venture if properly harnessed. Already we have Ojude Oba in Ijebu ode, Akesan Day is coming up strong, and there’s Lisabi Day in Egba just like Oronna Day is creeping into our consciousness even as Iganmode Day is gaining prominence. With foresight and innovations, all these festivals can compete with the likes of Rio de Janerio, Venice, New Orleans Mardi Graz, Notting Hill, Tenerife and many of such master class of carnivals across the world. It can serve as another economic impetus for Ogun State. That is what collaboration and synergy can bring about. The Cargo international Airport where the Governor welcomed the Senators came to fruition today because of collaboration. When the issue came to a heed that year, one remembered the role Yayi played by aligning with the Governor and his vision. That was the result of cohesion and attendant effects. Imagine the Governor and OGD working together in Ogun East with Sen Yayi to boot, the result can only be a better positive governance model for the people in Ogun East, and politically, Ladi Adebutu will be neutralized without too much sweat.
The partnership of the Governor and Yayi is politically profound. It gave birth to good things in 2019 and better things in 2023. That should be enough to cement an enduring relationship between Governor Dapo Abiodun and Yayi, though political hirelings will do anything to thwart the relationship but hopefully, the two politically conversant heavyweights will see through those shenanigans. Good enough, Governor Dapo Abiodun is not your regular/typical politician by every standard. He is a God-fearing man. A decent man. A self-restrained man. A just and right-thinking man. He’s a man conscious of the fact that there will be a tomorrow after leaving the saddle as the Governor of the State. His today will determine how people will perceive him tomorrow. It would be good if all contours and grey areas of misinformation and miscommunication that can be exploited by political agents of social disorder are looked into and made straight at all times between them.
Therefore, it is highly imperative for the sake of collective progress and development of Ogun State for the Governor to continue to maintain his status as a statesman. Prince Dapo Abiodun is the constant and dominant factor in every equation of Ogun State today because he is the Governor. The Governor needs to demonstrate large-heartedness by bringing everyone together under a forum, be it a monthly or quarterly gathering to exchange notes and cross-fertilize ideas that will have a direct bearing on the life of the people. Friction will be reduced via this medium. Why not? The issue of succession can be faithfully addressed in such forum of elected officials of Ogun State. Thankfully, all the elected representatives are of APC. Again, why not?
Every leader brings to the public space his vision, style, political, and leadership DNA. Management style, focus, a full grasp of the imperative of good governance, and human management skills become critical variables of leadership. I believe Governor Dapo Abiodun has it all. The Governor must continue to exhibit it not just for himself but for the goodness of Ogun State, too. No one in Ogun State wants to experience the impasse going on in River State. The godfather even as a Minister is constantly on the edge. Forget about all the boldface. Just as the sitting Governor can’t sleep with two eyes closed. This is a profound lesson to allow the system to work. May God guide our leaders right. Amen.
