THE AUXILIARY COLLATERAL APPOINTMENT. By Rotimi Johnson Ojasope

Sometimes in the early 90s when I used to go to Lagos as an Undergraduate of Unilorin, my greatest challenges were two; how to collect my fare change from the notorious "Molue" bus conductors and how to alight from the moving bus when it gets to my bus stop. I came to a wisdom solution to the collection of my change; I called the conductors "Broda or Egbon" and asked for my change in pure Yoruba with full respect. For every time I tried this trick, I got unprecedented attention and good response from the conductors. They use normal voice to reply me (instead of the crooked one), anytime we made eye contacts, they will assure me they have not forgotten and they kind of treat me as their responsibility. Though my friends used to make jest of me that it was a coward solution, but i was always excited i got positive results without tearing a button off my shirt. That was a win-win for me; calling someone others have called Olori-buruku, Were, Olosi since morning Egbon touches something in their hearts, make them want to behave as I have called and addressed them. To me, I get my change, get to my destination in one piece and leave their Lagos without regrets. So with such hindsight, you can understand why someone like me would appreciate and support the appointment of Auxiliary and can't see it as big deal; he will live to the expectation of reform park manager. 

Interestingly, those who commend the appointment of Auxiliary as the Chairman of the Park Manager Disciplinary Committee are more than those condemning it, while a great number are excited about the reform and are indifferent of who is appointed, as long as the parks and state are peaceful. 

This Ex-Convict thing is the reason why I picked interest in his case and it has motivated me to return to my writing desk. Who is a Convict? Is a person found guilty of a criminal offence and serving a sentence of imprisonment. So, that he was imprisoned should also attract the question of "on what charges?". Well, findings have confirmed and the records are available online that Mr Mukaila Lamidi was convicted of "Conspiracy" but acquitted of murder and attempt to murder charges; that explains why his sentence was just 6yrs, starting from his arraignment in 2014. Interestingly, the same man that was convicted in Ibadan but moved to a Lagos prison was released after 4year term. That suggests he was a political prisoner, not a criminal. Jailed in 2014, before the 2015 general elections, released in 2018 before the 2019 general elections. 

The truth be told, Auxiliary like many residents and people of Oyo State, never hid his preference for Engr Seyi Makinde and he followed the campaign train separately with his loyalists. I remember on that day in March 2014, prior to the official inauguration of Omi Titun Structure; some anti riot policemen numbering about 50, fully armed and with armoured tanks stormed Omi Titun House, searched everywhere for incriminating evidence and when they couldn't find any, they bundled about 8 of us (all staffs), including two Directors of the organization to Iyaganku police station where we were held for about 5hrs before we were bailed. I didn't find the experience funny but that was the beginning of the travail of Auxiliary; we later heard the agents of government thought they will find him in the building or discover incriminating evidence, though the offenses he was later convicted of was since June 2011. That to me made him a political prisoner, not criminal as some people want to portray him. 

The Collateral: the leadership style of the motor parks is fashioned after the gangsterism and it's never by smooth ascension into power, always through conspiracy and violence. That makes the most cunning, daring and violent to assume leadership because those are what it takes to get the submission of the others. It's a kind of reign of terror (fear). So, how do you reform the parks without balance in leadership, marrying the past with the present? 

The viral video of the proscribed leaders of NURTW suggested that they are poised for violence and they do not fear the Governor at all. A closer study of the video will reveal that they are not really against the Park Management system but the appointment of Auxiliary was more painful because they verbally attacked him. You will see that it was the announcement of Auxiliary that brought them together, even though they were not united. 

Auxiliary is the collateral appointment that secures the appointments of the park managers; he's the personality the elsewhile NURTW dreaded and avoid fomenting troubles, not the police force or the Governor. They know Auxiliary is one of their own that is as fearful as all of them put together. This kind of reform is unimaginable without this collateral and it was a great wisdom to have chosen him. Not just because of the loyalty, he understands the old ways and willing to adapt to the reforms. I think Auxiliary is a lot wiser than what both the APC and their proscribed NURTW leaders thought. He has settled for commission, relevance and reformation rather than losing out in the power game. 

The others that were threatening the state are not so wise because the video is an enough evidence of felony against them but as usual, they have hidden under the party structure and solidarity from their Lagos cohorts. The park management system is a delight of lover of peace, those who frowned at the former extortions of motorists and desire improvement in our transportation system. Those arguing about parks belonging to the local governments are partly right and the state has appointed them at each local government, shikena. Auxiliary's appointment at the State level is in other to reign the errant managers in and give adequate intelligence to protect the parks from onslaughts of the proscribed members; he is a retired General, recruited to reform the old operations.

Auxiliary, the man some hate to love and others love to hate; abandoned to fate and almost losing out of the power play has become the corner stone of the Park management system in Oyo State. Interestingly, he is a government appointee and his appointment is a collateral for the new system and a "pin in the neck" of his adversaries. 

I join others to congratulate him Mr Mukaila Lamidi, also known as Auxiliary as he leads in assisting in the implementation of the new Park Management System in Oyo State. 

GSM, PARK MANAGERS AND MATTERS ARISING. By Rotimi Johnson

I know Nigerians are used to complaining without making efforts to change status quo; we know right from wrong but we are professional wishful thinkers. Many have complained about the highhandedness and violence of the motor Unions but no one has been able to proffer solution to the challenges thrown up by the crude and inhuman operations. For once, someone has challenged the status quo, raised the bar and prospect of better internally generated revenue plus improved infrastructure but the scorners will never admit it's novel. 

Around 2008, a Master's holder friend that was driving a commuter bus lamented how he pays N1,220 daily if he does full day's job. He was plying Ojoo to Dugbe road. I pitied him but he later left the bus for bike (okada) and later had an accident that almost claimed his life, all in attempts to make ends meet. This man's story made me know how terrible the extortions of the Union officers are; it's inhuman and unfair and the populace should have risen against them but because the powers that were benefited from the largesse, no one dared complained. 

That there were peace in the city and motor parks didn't mean the drivers are happy; they were subjected to cruel and inhuman taskmasters; many Okada drivers have had accidents while attempting to evade them and I know how many cab drivers groan and curse as they approach their collection points. The most annoying thing is the fact that the collectors know the payees are not willing and so you see the readiness to enforce and hold them to ransom until they do. Many times, you see the collectors fighting the drivers. This crude and inhuman practice have gone for so long that we all endure and have adapted to them.

When someone condemned the choice of "Auxiliary" as the chairman of the disciplinary committee, I asked him if he expected someone like me or someone from APC to be named as Chairman but he couldn't answer. The Union is partisan and we knew how we contested against the APC and the Union in the last election. 

That GSM has not gone ahead to just name a loyal Unionist as Chairman is now evident in the recent reforms because we can't continue on same journey and expect to arrive at different destination. Claiming that Auxiliary is an ex-convict is petty and moreover, many party stalwarts in Nigeria are awaiting convicts; particularly in the ruling party, where they hibernate in attempts to evade justice. The leadership structure at the parks is abnormal; it's a reign of fear, not love. It's the most dreaded that bears rule not the most experienced or learned. Therefore, you must get someone with the prerequisites to command the respect and reign them in. If it's not Auxiliary that was locked up for perceived affiliation with opposition then, who should be from among the Unionists?

With the outrageous and annoying daily fees now gone, the motorists and cyclists can now sigh for relief, take government to task on the situation of the parks as accredited taxpayers, unlike those days of payment to the union leaders that end up remitting meagre to government. The reform is a giant stride towards a saner and egalitarian society and we must all commend Governor Seyi Makinde for daring to take the leap. 

Tailors call themselves Designers and many artisans keep coming up with sophisticated names for their vocation and there's nothing wrong if designated motor unionists are called Park Managers because that name will instil the reformation and ensure better performance. The next generation of managers will be better than this set and they will keep improving down the line. With this, records of motorists and commercial vehicles in the state can be synchronized bye and bye. 

This is good leadership and every administration must aspire to take the state from where it is to where it should be. I have never seen where touts run after motorists or cyclists to collect fees in virtually all junctions like it is done in Southwest Nigeria, it is very annoying, cruel and unbecoming of our eminent pride in the nation. I think all these "Agbero and park thuggery" things started in Lagos but Oyo state, Ibadan in particular took it to the next level with full involvement of their members in politics. 

Governor Seyi Makinde has done well in the park reforms and I think their should be law to back the operations of the park mangers and their operations in Oyo State. Violent overthrow at motor parks can never lead to change of leadership again and those who aspire to be leaders of the disciplinary committee would then know they must possess some certain qualities or sign undertaking of peaceful conducts in their tenure. Also, there must be clear cut tenure and rules and regulations for the disciplinary committee to follow. Parks need safety/ first aid officers too and well equipped first aid boxes. 

Those condemning choice of Mr Mukaila Auxiliary should nominate retired Justices, Reverend fathers or Imams that they think should be the Chairman because I don't know of any that can dare to take such responsibility. 

SENATOR BALOGUN FACILITATES YOUTHS EMPOWERMENT IN FILM PRODUCTION.

 By Afolabi February 10, 2020

No fewer than 100 youths are participating in two-day training and empowerment programme in art and film production which began in Ibadan on Monday. The News Agency of Nigeria, (NAN) reports that the programme was organised by Nigeria Film Corporation and facilitated by Sen. Kola Balogun, representing Oyo South Senatorial District in the National Assembly. Speaking at opening ceremony, Sen. Balogun said that the training became necessary due to the high rate of unemployment among Nigerian youths. According to him, the programme will train the youths to acquire some skills in the art of film making “I’m excited about this programme because when I think about the rate of unemployment among our youths, I get worried. “I realise that one of the ways to tackle this is to train and empower our youths so as to be independent and also become employers of labour. “We have been talking as a nation to expand our channels of income aside oil and gas. We can look at agriculture and development of solid minerals,” he said. He identified music and film making as one industry capable of growing the Nigerian economy. “This program is coming up now because I have seen and realised that the film industry is making great impacts. “Nigerians in the diaspora are watching our movies and are proud of their roots,” he said. Sen. Balogun urged the participants to take the training serious so as to contribute their own quota to the development of film making in Nigeria. “This training won’t just end here, some outstanding participants will get into the National Film Institute. Those who show diligence, commitment and talent to excel, plans have been made for them. “Our youths are highly talented and educated and this must be utilized,” he said. Sen. Balogun added that the 9th Assembly had done something remarkable by ensuring that the 2020 Budget was passed in December 2019. “This development will ensure that all that’s needed are included in the budget and are done in due time. “Anytime from now work will commence. Provisions were made for boreholes, schools and hospitals to mention a few,” he said. NAN reports that the participants were trained in skills such as scripting, directing for the screen, acting for the screen, cinematography and still photography.