Not only was his entrance to the Obafemi Awolowo Stadium, Oke Ado Ibadan grand, the crowd’s reaction was the ultimate show of expectation, a sheer demonstration of hope, and a rare confirmation of acceptance. It was May 29, 2020; Governor Seyi Makinde had come to take the oath of allegiance and oath of office. He had come to change the equation and the face of governance in Oyo State.
It was obvious that expectations were unequivocally high, the people wanted more from the leadership of the state and it showed in the result of the March 9, 2019 Governorship election. Never in the history of Oyo State had such landslide victory been recorded. May 29, 2019 was thus not just a date with destiny but the consummation of the pact with the people of Oyo State. The tag team of Governor Seyi Makinde and his Deputy, Engineer Rauf Olaniyan evidently knew what lay ahead, especially with the fact that over the past few decades, Oyo State has exhibited a pace-setting culture.
That apparently explains the Governor’s promise at the end of his inaugural address that “as governor, I will not rest until good jobs, thriving businesses, and quality education are the standard in Oyo State”. In that single sentence, he summed up the major issues the state contended with before the advent of his administration.
Makinde is not the type of leader that passes the buck. When he said “I will work tirelessly and take responsibility for the workings of every sector. While I will delegate effectively, the buck will stop with me. I want you to hold me accountable and I will also hold you accountable as we work as partners to bring Oyo State to glory”, people wondered if he meant it. They have since found out that their beloved GSM is not only taking responsibility, he apologizes where necessary, a quality that many of those around the middle age have never seen in the leadership of the state.
And in terms of being progressive, Governor Makinde is not doing badly as far as continuing the programmes of the immediate past administration is concerned. He is making good the promise of continuing with the good ones and jettisoning the not so good.
When members of the opposition ask whether prompt payment of salaries is an achievement that should be celebrated, civil servants are usually quick to answer that some administrations owed state workers, thereby making life difficult for them. They usually point it out that as simple as it seems economically, its ripple effects are felt by landlords, market women and shop owners. In other words, it is helping to boost the economy.
Parents too have spoken gladsomely about the Governor’s abolition of school fees. Many of them never thought it would ever happen again. In addition, free text books are being issued to students of primary and secondary schools in the state.
Naturally, as an Engineer by profession, Makinde is much more interested in the sciences. This, perhaps informed his decision to start off the free textbook project with Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Mathematics and English.
In addition, security of lives and property has been re-engineered in the state. Makinde’s government also bought and distributed over 100 well equipped security vehicles distributed to all the local government and local council development areas of the state.
In another move that clearly shows a re-engineering desire, Makinde, despite belonging to an opposition party, has been cooperating with his brother governors in the South West of Nigeria to put in place enduring security architecture. The Western Nigeria Security Network, the Amotekun Corps project was launched in Ibadan with Makinde as lead actor.
The electorate in Oyo State must have thought well before handing over the affairs of the state to two Engineers; knowing full well that Engineers are problem solvers, and one year after, the re-engineering is very much on course.
Packaged by Wole Adejumo
