GOV. ABIOLA AJIMOBI AND THE MODERN GOVERNANCE OF OYO. STATE
For me, youths in every society, especially those who aspire to leadership, have one particular task of tapping mentorship either overtly through direct relationship with an inspiring leader or covertly by learning through purposeful observation. But in a clime where we suffer the dearth of such true transformation – oriented and development – inclined leader worthy of emulation, as trustees of posterity, we have the responsibility of lauding the few we can single out. With all sense of conviction, Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo state exudes leadership style that we as youths must take a clue from.
My motivation for writing this piece does not only stem from a penchant for compulsory appreciation of excellence in leadership especially in a country popular for flagrant leadership irresponsibility, but also mildly, but constructively, offer some reaction to the avalanche of self-righteous, indignation-laden, and politically-motivated criticism that have unceasingly trailed the government of Gov. Ajimobi. I, however will not do this through the usual throwbacks that is characteristic of the ‘agbero-styled’ criticism that permeate our society in a time like this but through a presentation of my perceived unequaled achievements of the governor in less than four years.
Unarguably, Visitors who have not been to the state in the past three years will surely be pleasantly surprised with what the environment now looks like. Of course, garbage disposal has always been one of the biggest blights of the state which some previous government tried to fix but with little or no success, leaving our environment dirty and rendering the state one of the dirtiest in Africa. But the dramatic improvement that the environment witnessed through a dexterous effort of Gov. Ajimobi has proven to us that a serious government can transform the most damaged society.
Isn’t the relative peace with which people of the state now conduct their businesses laudable? Of course it absolutely is! Now we can sleep with two eyes closed with the water-tight security that a serious government provides. Now is no free time for brigandage, thuggery and violence in the state. Now is no time for ‘beautification of area boys’. Now it is impossible for rogues to invade the state secretariat, throw law makers out of their offices and ‘impiss’ democratically elected public office holders. May the bad old days never return to the pace-setter state!
Here, in Oyo state, is a governor who recognizes the expedience of a smooth executive-legislature relationship for sustainable development. Gov. Ajimobi runs not a zero-sum exclusivist government. He carries along the opposition and recognizes them as stakeholders in the quest for the unconditional development of the state. Of course, this has helped in ensuring peace in the state assembly and has made developmental projects easier to execute than ever. We are all witness to the environment of barbarism in Edo, Rivers and recently but most ‘notably’ Ekiti assemblies. May this rot we all are quick to condemn not come back to be the lot of pace-setter state again!
The Ajimobi led government has invested strongly on infrastructural development across the length and breadth of the state, because the government recognizes the necessity of infrastructure in attracting foreign investors into the state. The concentration on road projects throughout the state is laudable. Now the huddles of traffic hold-up that used to constitute headache for commuters along Mokola-Agodi -Sabo-Dugbe is allayed with Transformation Bridge at Mokola. The dualization of Eleyele-Jericho road, Dugbe-Aleshiloye road, Ogbomosho township road, Iseyin township road, Owode-Akesan road and Owode-Isokun road in Oyo are projects for generations. Ajimobi has constructed an ultra-modern motor park at Podo and Wema Bank Area, New Gbagi Ibadan, both with complete drainage system, water, food canteens, security and toilet facilities. He has built a business complex as scout camp, Molete, completely transforming that hitherto god-forsaken locale. These are feats achievable only by a leader with apt understanding of modern governance. The good, perhaps, the best, thing in this is that the governor is purportedly getting all these done without taking a dime either international or domestic loan!
The education sector is not left unattended with payment of WAEC fee for students, 50% reduction in fees paid by students of the Polytechnic Ibadan and LAUTECH, Ajimobi has shown support for students’ leadership in the state and encouraged students’ Unionism by distributing brand-new quality buses to all higher institutions in the state. Workers Welfare in the state has been enhanced in an unprecedented manner. Oyo civil servants get their salaries paid in time with thirteenth month bonus. They also get free ride to their various work places! Trade and investment are committedly encouraged with 300 million naira interest free loans for traders; not to forget the unprecedented influx of foreign and local investors into the state.
Ajimobi’s government is far from perfect. No government or person has ever been close to perfection. We know that there are still schools with windows perpetually open. We know that payment of bursary to tertiary institution students from the state has not been regular, yet, we have now learnt many positive things: that politics does not have to come with bloodshed, that we are Nigerians, not barbarians, that our towns and cities can be managed in an organized manner, that our health care system could offer basic service to the people without hindrance, that our environment could be sustainably clean and safe, that our roads could be wider, cleaner and safer, that government could be brought down from the Olympian height to the people through many ways. Thus, the few areas of imperfection is not enough to embark on an orgy of lachrymose venom to blackmail the working governor into pedestrian performance. It is understood that many seek to wrest power from the incumbent but for continuous progress in our state, we the residents should think more than twice lest we allow some folks’ inordinate ambition to mock honest toil.

Com. Babatunde Badmus (BB)
immediate past students union president
university of ibadan
08033530414
08022233370

Vote ajimobi for change!

he has really done well and i must give him a kudos

nice one comrade... team ajimobi....

Too late for ajimobi . All this epistle can't save him now .