Senator Teslim Kolawole Folarin, the gubernatorial candidate of the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State on Wednesday revealed some steps he would take if he becomes the governor of the state.
He said he would not be a governor going to Abuja running after monthly allocation from the Federal government but rather rely on agriculture which, according to him, should be the strength of the economy of the state.
Speaking in Ibadan at the 2022 Press Week of the Nigeria Union of Journalist (NUJ), Oyo State Council, Folarin said the time the state progressed most was the era of Chief Obafemi Awolowo who prioritized agriculture and education.
He maintained that for the state to get to its destination, there is need to go back to the basics which is agriculture, education and ICT.
“Oyo State has over 28,000 square meter of land, 85 percent of the land is arable, we need to build our economy around it, we need to begin to plan for the future, my deputy is an agricultural expert, we shall look at the crops we have comparative advantage in, such as mango, cassava and cashew, we are going to set up a very sophisticated value system, our strength is in agric, we must create wealth to solve our people’s problem.”
He charged the people in the state never to allow money to be major parameter that determines who to vote for in 2023 general elections.
He said for Oyo State to move forward and be better, citizens should take critical look at some factors like background, love, patriotic tendencies and competence before voting their preferred candidates, warning that people cannot afford another experience towards disintegration of Nigeria, saying unity of the nation lies on people’s strength.
“We need detribalised leaders who will look at the challenges of insecurity objectively and realistically at the helm of affairs to allow people go about their daily engagements as evident in some states where few aspiring national leaders come from.
“To me, good governance requires leaders with adequate exposure, outstanding antecedent and experience, deep interactions with grassroots and education system that grows and nurtures entrepreneurship.
“It’s time we recognised that for us to have a Nigeria of our dream, we need to be more responsible, sensitive and responsive to the needs and aspirations of the people.”
The chairman of the ocassion, Barr. Sharafadeen Ali urged journalists to be fair and accurate in their reportage of events particularly during and after the 2023 elections which according to him is one of the determinants of the existence of the nation.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Oyo NUJ chairman, Com Ademola Babalola appealed to politicians to thread softly during and after the 2023 general elections.
Packaged by Lanre Olabisi
