“Our greatest glory is not in never falling but in rising every time we fall” – Confucius
When he decided to contest during the 2019 gubernatorial race in Oyo State, jokes were made about his aspiration.
Some dubbed him a serial loser; others wondered at his impetuosity as jokes were made about his loss at the polls four years before then. Those who, however, know Governor Seyi Makinde well enough were sure that as an avid sportsman from his youth and a successful Engineer, he understands that failure in any aspect is not an end in itself but a means to an end.
For a man who played football on the streets of Ore Meji and Iwo Road, Ibadan, it would be easy to appreciate the fact that every loss comes with a lesson on how to do things better. And as a golfer of note who is well aware that focus is a defining issue in the game, His Excellency the Governor can set goals and work towards them.
Since his electoral victory in 2019, Governor Seyi Makinde has moved from one success to the other. In a matter of two years, those who described him as an “audio Governor” have not completely gone quiet but their noise has reduced considerably. He didn’t need to cow them into silence; his works have consistently reduced complaints across Oyo State.
The achievements cut across all sectors; in Education, no fewer than 26 Model Schools have been constructed, in infrastructural development, there have been junction improvement works and traffic light system installation at Challenge and Felele, Ibadan.
To enhance sports development, the Makinde Administration has embarked on the reconstruction of sports centres including the Mini Stadium, Igbo Ora and Olubadan Mini Stadium, Ibadan while Durbar Stadium, Oyo and Ebedi Stadium, Iseyin are being remodeled too.
The reconstruction of the Lekan Salami Stadium Adanmasingba is the icing on the cake. Aside the greatly enhanced aesthetic value of the stadium, it will definitely bring back the glorious days of the Shooting Stars Football Club. Not only will the stadium accommodate more fans, with topnotch facilities, the Governor has tactically equipped the team for the next level.
There can be no doubt that with the achievement recorded with the Lekan Salami Stadium Complex project, another success has been recorded and GSM, as he is fondly called by admirers is set to achieve more in the months to come.
- Oluwole Giwa sent this in from Ibadan, the capital city of Oyo State
