The world has so many lessons to teach you. I consider the world, this Earth, to be like a school and our life the classrooms. And sometimes here in this Planet Earth School the lessons often come dressed up as detours or roadblock and sometimes a full-blown crises. And the secret I have learned to getting ahead is being open to the lessons, lessons from the grandest university of all, that is, the universe itself.
It is being able to walk through life eager and open to self-improvement and that which is going to best help you evolve, because that is really why we are here, to evolve as human beings. To grow into more of ourselves, always moving to the next level of understanding, the next level of compassion and growth.
In an exclusive interview with Prof. Rapheal Afonja, Oyo State Commissioner for Works and Transport, He has this to say; Time is the greatest revealer of things unknown, one major area that time clearly demonstrates is reality of leadership, we can then pass a verdict as pointer and guide to Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State.
To be quite honest, the battering of our national psyche as well as the mindless looting of our public treasure by political office holders and other unscrupulous elements in high and low places (an abominable practice that has seemingly turned a tradition). This negative perception against office holders has invariably turned us to perpetual cynics, critics and naysayers. This kind of attitude is capable of discouraging our best from seeking political power for fear of being erroneously labeled as corrupt.
Engineer Oluseyi Makinde took over power from former Governor Abiola Ajimobi, who spent two term tenure in office, when we take a look at the past and a periscope into the future, we will be able to conclude that a new dimension has been set forth in governance of Oyo State.
A look at the manifesto and campaign promises of Engineer Olusyi Makinde prior to the 2019 general election set out a laudable agenda for himself and the state whilst canvassing for support for himself, Governor Seyi Makinde obviously desired a better Oyo State, his posture on assuming office shows that he was well prepared for governance. A dispassionate and objective appraisal of his activities in office so far reveal that he is most sincere with the business of government.
We must mirrorly take a pragmatic and realistic view of issues in order to get a clear view of the achievement of Governor Seyi Makinde (GSM as fondly called by his admirers) for the past six and half months in office. It is clear that GSM Administration has set a new standard for governance to accommodate social entrepreneurship, visionary leadership, new and modern innovations, infrastructure and security has indeed inscribed his name permanently in the heart of the good people of Oyo State and Nigerians at large. He has proven to the people that he is an idea practitioner, he has come to work for the people, and he is willing to render service to the people to the best of ability beyond any rhetorical recitation. One thing beyond contention is that Governor Seyi Makinde is a man with ideological inclination aimed towards development, such was his doggedness, resoluteness, steadfastness and open mindedness in his effort to ensure a lasting legacy to the generations of Oyo State and Nigerians.
It is on record that when Governor Seyi Makinde took the reigns as the Chief Executive of Oyo State in May 29, 2019, the state was grasping for breath, the state was in dire situation and needed to be saved from itself, the state had returned to the state of ‘inertia’, the chemistry of the state could be best described as being in political entropy and in search of true, sincere, honest and God fearing leader. The alliance that brought Makinde to power was indeed a product of providence.
With his unblemished integrity, indomitable courage, the savvy, unassuming management skills, his shrewdness and practicability of the excellent theories in the business of governance made him to swing into action immediately with steady but reassuring steps and begun pulling Oyo State out of the doldrums into which it had been plunged at the time by its predecessors in office.
Under Governor Seyi Makinde, in Six Months, through concerted efforts in governance and well thought out policies, Oyo State has been repositioned as the pace setter state. The Health Sector has been revived, education has again taken a centre place in Oyo State, infrastructure and basic amenities are now in top shape, security architecture has been well erected, and the economy is bustling with activities, as Oyo State is now a target destination to investors across the globe.
Re-assuredly, the recent judgment of the Supreme Court validating the election of Governor Seyi Makinde, the judgment is indeed an affirmation of the people’s will as expressed through the ballot in the March 2019 governorship election in the state. The Oyo state people are the real winners in the contest, the numerous investors in their numbers can now troop in as the imbroglio that emanates from election litigations from the Tribunal through the court of Appeal has finally been laid to rest by the Supreme Court judgment affirming Makinde’s victory at the poll.
As Governor Seyi Makinde add another year today, It is gratifying to specially congratulate him on this occasion of birthday anniversary, it is important to salute this erudite public officer on this feet and also encourage him to continue to do more for the good people of Oyo State in his usual characteristics manner.
It is an undeniable fact that Governor Seyi Makinde has laid a solid foundation for good governance that will immortally speak volume, he has also set new norms in governance by initiating policies that will bring uncommon development to the state. Makinde has brought humanity to fore in his government, he has make Oyo cynosure of socio-economy, political and youth participation in governance. In Six months, Makinde has brought succor to the people of Oyo State. To Oyo State indigenes and residents alike, looking at the activities of Governor Seyi Makinde in the last six months in the helm of affairs and the emerging benefits that will accrue to the state in future. It is reasonable to conclude that Oyo State will always look forward to having Engineer Seyi Makinde as manager of their collective affairs.
The Honourable commissioner further express his satisfaction in the government of Oyo State under the able leadership of Governor Seyi Makinde, we are certain that investors will see reason to make Oyo State a place to invest in view of the government decision to accommodate positive interest for the overall benefit of the people.
We in Centre for Political Bureau congratulates the Governor of the people on his birthday, we will continue to monitor and appraise the government of Oyo State critically as we journeyed into the future.
