AJIMOBI: THE ENIGMATIC AND STRONG WILLED LEADER. By Rotimi Johnson Ojasope

Many people asked why I was praying that Ajimobi should not die because they felt I never liked him. They were mistaken and misunderstood my vibes; the fact that I am not someone's fan doesn't mean I hate him or wish him evil. So, I prayed for Ajimobi because I believe no one deserves to die through Covid 19. Moreover, I saw a video before Gov Ajimobi was hospitalized; the clip suggested to me that he did his best to prevent being infected and that *he enjoyed his last moments with his family, so I joined his family in prayers.

I wrote about two things I admired about Ajimobi and many have asked me for the second reason; I admired his good and ageless looks and the second thing is that he was very strong willed. I have not seen a civilian ruler in Nigeria that was so strong willed, others like Chief Olusegun Obasanjo had military background and one could excuse such strength to the military background but for someone that never was in the military, not even in Youth Corps, you know it's a rare one.

Though I had cause to condemn his decisions many times. I had secret admiration for his will power and ability to see through anything he decided to do, irrespective of dissenting opinions. We need more leaders with strong will but who will take decisions in the interest of all, not for elitism.

I do not fall under the category of those who praise the dead but I want to publicly acknowledge my secret admiration of Senator Ishiak Abiola Ajimobi and I felt he could have used this strength in a different direction. No leader is perfect but we must all learn and keep improving until we get near perfection. 

Akanji has made his own impacts and whether we like it or not, he will remain in the hall of fame in Oyo State; as former Senator and two term Governor.* People will remember him for different things, depending of which part of him they faced.

We must remain resolute in our determination to defeat Covid 19 and God shall help us as we continue to take the necessary precautions because this pandemic is neither partisan nor has religious bias. 

Adieu Abiola Ajimobi, the great man, that had the major charms of the public leader; good looks, charisma and oratory skills.

 Rotimi Johnson Ojasope

SA Media to Senator Kola Balogun

GOVERNOR MAKINDE AND POPULISM. By Abolade Olosun

"Yes, of course, Makinde is a populist. Every Governor locked down their state,  because he wanted Oyo people to see him as a friendly governor that doesn't want any hardship for them, he refused to lock down the state. How I wish the coronal virus patients in Oyo State multiply geometrically and we record thousands of coronal patients, I will be so happy. Free education my foot, a parent should be able to pay token for his children's education. How do you value what you don't pay for. Three thousand naira shouldn't be a burden for responsible parents, many are paying hundred of thousands for their wards" that was part of responses I got from one of my friends who belongs to the major opposition party in the state. Ranting furiously and feels so disgusted about Gov Seyi Makinde mode of governance. They don't cherish it at all, Makinde's appealing method of governance to Oyo  people . One can read big disappointment in them whenever you have opportunity to be together in a gathering or on social media groups. To them Makinde is a populist, a big one that is making them sleepless.

Populism has become a household slang for the oppositions in the state since, some weeks ago when my big brother, a legal luminary from my domain, Ido LG went on air and described GSM as a populist. It has become Makinde's new alias .

Now let's look at it, 

(1) What is populism? 

(2)What is the correlation between GSM and populism?  

(3) Is it ideal for any government to practise ? 

As defined by online dictionary :- (Noun) 

populism is a political doctrine or philosophy that proposes that the rights and powers of ordinary people are exploited by a privileged elite, and supports their struggle to overcome this.

(derogatory) 

ii The practice of appealing to the interests of the common people. 

 

 This definitions, especially the second one, "the practice of appealing to the interests of the common people" to be sincere, is truly the description and reflection of GSM and his method of governance, policies and doctrines.  All are people-oriented; always people, masses first!!!   Considering the number of parents that are benefiting from his free education policy  now, many pupils that are now back to schools, many that could not afford the fees before. Going by my friend's argument that a responsible parent should be able to pay his ward's school fees, one can see from his perspective that their government, previous administration and their policies are all about elites. Privileged elites should be able to pay school fees unlike common man that are living from hand to mouth.

Makinde started his populism with the prompt  payment of salaries to workers and pensioners, made them reliable for banks' invitation to enjoy various type of loans. If not for coronal virus pandemic, Makinde would have employed more than 11,000 people that will be working in the classrooms. One way or the other  Makinde is appealing to common man's interest and indirectly to that of their families. 

During this  pandemic, Makinde's food palliatives; he awarded yam flour, Palm oil and other food item contracts to the common people of Oyo. The face masks contract also given to tailors association. Many, classrooms, roads, bridges and culverts that were built or repaired and showcased during his first one year in office were built by local contractors. All these are appealing to the interest of common people. Too many to count, directly or indirectly spending Oyo money within Oyo and for Oyo people. Helping downtroddens  to become somebody.

Unlike the last administration that most of their programs were for elites and awarded outside Oyo State, most of their contracts were taken by Lagos Emperor, mama is interested and Chinese companies. Elitists policies  are not for common man, their interests or welfare. They prefer imported goods to locally made. They need to show off, that they are learned and they are superior to common man.  They can't deal with local people because they are not in the same category unlike Makinde that descended so low, dealing with farmers and pooresr of the poor.

  

 It's spelt out in clear terms that Makinde is a populist as asserted earlier, there is correlation between the two. The opposition on the other side are  not populist, they are elitists  and oppressors.

 

 Also, what makes them take populism as a derogatory description of Makinde's was the way the Governor is handling things; it is giving them sleepless nights. However these common people are the one that usually coming out to vote during elections while elites will be forecasting, analysing, watching online and televisions. Elites are always too big to queue for voting. If Makinde is not too big to beg for their votes why should he be too big to appeal to their interest after being elected? It sounds illogical.

 

 As for me, I will rather continue appealing to common people's interest, become a populist and make populism my lifestyle. I think it is ideal type of governance, what do you think, my friends 

aboladeolosun@ido

JUNE 12 DEMOCRACY DAY; LIKE MKO, LIKE SEYI MAKINDE. By Rotimi Johnson

SDP was the political party, Moshood Kasimawo Olawale Abiola was the candidate on June 12, 1993. I was part of the campaign in 1992 to 1993 in Abeokuta and as a close follower and protege of MKO Abiola due to proximity of my residence to his Sabo Mansion and the fact that his nephews and nieces were my colleagues in secondary school and friends in the neighborhood. The euphoria and sequence of events in those days were such that raises great hope in the radical youths of those days. I was really proud to be involved, though not as a politician because those days, all I wanted to be was a tough military, like General Tunde Idiagbon. The post June 12 rallies too brought out the radicalism in some of us; both on campus and off campus because participation in protest rallies against the Military junta (like we labelled them) those days was trending, though I later knew some of my colleagues catched on the opportunity for personal aggrandizements. June 12 was phenomenal, it was historical and I am excited it's now the Democracy Day in Nigeria. However, I conceived writing about the similarities of Engr Seyi Makinde political aspirations to that of late MKO Abiola in December 2014 because I am a close follower and found myself in SDP again:

RELIGIOUS LIBERALITY: Engr Seyi Makinde like late Chief MKO Abiola has broken religious barriers that is the bane of our democracy in Nigeria. Like Chief Abiola, Engr Seyi Makinde has used his huge financial resources to reduce the height of the bigotry in Oyo State. As a brother and close political associate, I know he is a man of faith but not the religious type who likes to catch in on the religious dichotomy in our polity. I was a member of Celestial Church of Christ in those days and I could remember how MKO Abiola would donate handsomely towards the annual harvest of the Mission those days. Same he did for many other missions all across Nigeria; he promoted both Muslims and Christian activities, though was an Islamic leader in the true sense of it. We need more of such leaders in Nigeria; leaders who can live above religious bigotry that permeates our polity and suppress followers that would want to take advantage of the system on religious basis. No wonder, Muslim-Muslim ticket was not an issue when Abiola/Kingibe ticket was flown for the June 12, 1993 election.

DETRIBALIZED NIGERIAN: Though Chief MKO Abiola was very cultural in his Yoruba upbringing with  many adages and songs to drive home his points anytime, he also treated other indigenes with equity and great love; no wonder he had chieftaincy titles from other parts of the Country. I remembered the testimony of the Late singer, Sunny Okosun about his encounter with MKO Abiola and how it turned his life around. I didn't know how much impacts Engr Seyi Makinde had made until I became his social media administrator, managing his Facebook page in 2012; many would send private messages to thank him for one favour or the other, many from other regions of the country (particularly the South-south) and many Muslims too. I reflected greatly on this discovery on those days and comparing it with what I knew about MKO Abiola, I was excited we found ourselves in SDP in December 2014.

THE ELECTORAL REVOLUTION: Most of my social media posts prior to 2015 elections were targeted towards steering the electorate for electoral revolution and that Engr Seyi Makinde was the underdog that would cause the upset. Yes, we got it right initially but lost the momentum at a point. MKO Abiola could keep the tempo to the end and the revolution did happen on June 12, 1993. It was the fairest and freest elections we ever had; Nigerians came out to vote and were proud to be counted among the voters that gave Abiola the victory.The 2019 elections in Oyo state too was a revolution and Governor Seyi Makinde rightly attested to that in his inaugural speech and other appreciative  comments; the electorate came to vote and stood to the end to defend their votes, despite the rainfall and threats of violence. The people's Governor emerged in 2019 like the people's President emerged in 1993, though robbed of the mandate. 

HOPE '93 AND OMI TUNTUN MANTRA: The mantra of the SDP campaign in 1993 was Hope '93 and true to the words, the campaign stirred Nigerians to rekindle hope in the nation and Abiola's candidacy; such was an unprecedented wave of hope all over the country, under military leadership. Likewise, the Omi Tuntun mantra that was officially launched on the 29th of March, 2014 started gaining momentum gradually and came to a crescendo at the 2019 general elections in Oyo State. It became so accepted that people literally pour water on Engr Seyi Makinde whenever he showed up in public for campaign. The love and excitement were palpable. Hmmm! We thank God the delivery of this victory was not aborted like that of Hope '93.

THE GREAT EXPECTATIONS: Great expectations always scare me and I remembered I always expressed such to late Hon Kehinde Ayoola because promises are easy but performance is herculean. Hope '93 stirred great expectations from our people and I remembered my parents talking about how everything would become cheap and cost of living fall. MKO simplified economic growth and development in his campaign that people bought it completely. Same with Engr Seyi Makinde, though he was careful not to make promises that are not realistic but emphasizing his willingness to effect positive changes, even if difficult. For instance, the new minimum wage which he assured he would look into but won't promise immediate increment before looking at the realities on ground and making sure of plain transparency to the worker's Union.

PHILANTHROPISTS: MKO Abiola was a great philanthropist, not only in Nigeria but in Africa and became the pillar of Sports in Africa. If you followed news in those days, you would wonder if he wouldn't exhaust his resources on Charity works; he was a great scatterer, gave without traces. Though Engr Seyi Makinde has not made equal impacts like MKO Abiola but they both approached partisan politics from philanthropic platform. I remember those days when I first put Engr Seyi Makinde on Facebook and started suggesting attempts at Oyo governorship, people would reply me (thinking it's Seyi Makinde) that "just stay in your charity works and continue to throw money around, but stay away from politics. I knew philanthropy is the highway to the people's heart because I knew what MKO achieved through it and I am not surprised, it's all history now. 

SUCCESSFUL BUSINESSMEN: I was captivated by MKO Abiola's business successes in those days and I had elderly friends that narrated his achievements to my younger brother and I. Whatever MKO touched was successful. The business acumen was brought into his sociopolitical journey and it paid great dividends. On a lighter mood, when APC friends compare Seyi Makinde with Sen. Ajimobi, that they are both from Private sector, I always mock scorn them that you don't compare a business owner with employee, though both were from same sector. Both MKO Abiola and Engr Seyi Makinde were business magnates before advent into partisan politics, though people taunt them by saying you can't run government like private business but the truth is; if the same passion and focus we put in business is channeled to public administration, there would be great turnaround. MKO Abiola economy blueprint was realistic and simplistic, though I couldn't comprehend it those days, my mentor, Dr Ona Soleye confirmed to me not too long ago because he was part of the think tank team in those days. Engr Seyi Makinde had similar approaches to public administration and economic development and I think it's better our chief executives have certificates in business administration, at least to help the business approach to governance. 

Finally, we must continue to retell the stories of June 12 so that the next generation can know the sacrifices that earned us this democracy and we must remember many comrades lost their lives in the struggle, including the patriarch of the struggle, Basorun M.K.O. Abiola, the Aare Onakakanfo of Yoruba land and the presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Party in the acclaimed freest and fairest 1993 elections.

Congratulations to Nigerians and true lovers of democracy. Congratulations to the great people of Oyo state that repeated the historic feat by bring in Engr Seyi Makinde as the people's Governor. Indeed, when votes count, politicians would sit right instead of sitting tight. 

HAPPY DEMOCRACY DAY !

Rotimi Johnson Ojasope

rotisbon@gmail.com

SEN KOLA BALOGUN AT ONE; THE QUINTESSENTIAL SENATOR. By Rotimi Johnson

SEN KOLA BALOGUN AT ONE; THE QUINTESSENTIAL SENATOR: 

Today, it's exactly one year that the 9th national Assembly was inaugurated and we thank God that we are alive to be able to assess how far we have gone; comparing where we were to where we are now, also in relation to the electoral promises. Legislative duties are enormous but we must keep telling our people the difference between a Legislator and Executive. 

Just yesterday, a former Student leader commented and asked that personal aggrandizement should be taken away from accolades but he ended up commending two Senators for distributing rice and other palliatives. Trust me, I pointed out his self contradiction and educated him. Though personal efforts are important because of the poverty level and like Senator Kola Balogun would say; our politics in Nigeria is poverty driven. Essentially, a public leader that knows his onus must strike a balance between the real legislative duties and the personal efforts. 

Senator Kola Balogun has demonstrated in the last 365 days that public leadership can be exemplary if one remains committed and compassionate; he has done so much to demonstrate his love for his people and personally, I love how he introduces himself and mentions "Oyo South Senatorial District" or make reference to his district while supporting motions. That this district is notable at the Red Chambers is an understatement. 

BILLS BY KOLA BALOGUN: He has moved 3 crucial bills; 

A Bill for an Act to Amend the National Health Act, 2014, TO Regulate Medical Treatment Abroad and for other Matters Connected Therewith, 2020.

A Bill For An Act To Alter The  Provisions Of The Constitution Of The Federal Republic Of Nigeria, 1999 ( AS AMENDED), To Make Provisions For A Periodic Conduct Of National Population  And Housing Census In Nigeria.

A Bill For An Act To Develop A Decentralised System Of Vigilantism Peculiar To Every Local Community In Nigeria, Facilitate Community Policing, Neighbourhood Watch, Local Intelligence Gathering And For Other Related Matters.

CO-SPONSORED BILLS AND THE ONES HE SPOKE IN SUPPORT OF.

South West Economic  Development Commission Bill.

National Primary Health Care Development Agency Act Amendment 

Bill for Act for The Establishment of Federal University of Technology Yaba. Moved by Senator Olamilekan Adeola Solomon of Lagos West.

Bill for an Act to Establish a Commission for Electoral Offences.

He supported the Bill for The Establishment of North Central Development Commission; Sponsored By Sen. Abba Moro.

MOTIONS BY KOLA BALOGUN:

Urgent need to upgrade the status of the Ibadan Airport from local to

international Airport.

Need to immortalise Late Chief Richard Akinjide SAN due to  his Contribution towards national development. 

MOTIONS SUPPORTED.

Supported motion for the revitalization of Textile industry in Nigeria.

He spoke in support of the appointment of Hon. Sunday Dares appointment as a minister.

He contributed during the 2020 appropriation debate wherein he spoke on the need to increase budgetary spending on Education, Healthcare, Power, Road and Rail infrastructure and Agriculture. 

 

OVERSIGHT FUNCTIONS BY KOLA BALOGUN

There were various over-site visits among which are:

Visit to various institutions under the committee on Science and Technology within the FCT.

Over-site function visit to Ministry of Education and National Examination Council at Abuja.

Anti Corruption committee training in collaboration with other international bodies at Dubai, United Arab Emirate.

Anti Corruption committee over-site at Lagos and Ibadan.

Senate Committee on Youth and Sports development trip to Lesotho for the African Cup of Nations.

Senate Committee on Youth and Sports development inspection visit for 2020 Sports Festival Facility at Edo State. 

 Senate Committee tour on inspection to Army formations facility at Kaduna State.

He served as the resource person that represented the Senate Chairman on Anti-Corruption Committee at the 2019 International Anti-corruption day 2019 on the need to eradicate corruption. 

He served as the resource person that represented the Chairman Youth and Sports development Committee at the programme organized for empowerment of youths and the disabled at Dutse.

He was always punctual at the various senate committees meetings where  he is a member thereof and he makes meaningful contribution

MONITORING AND MAKING  SURE THAT THE  PROJECTS ALLOCATED TO OYO SOUTH SENATORIAL DISTRICT IN THE 2019 AND 2020 BUDGET ARE EXECUTED. 

Upon being sworn as a Senator, he discovered that few projects were allocated to the district in the 2019 Budget already passed by the former National Assembly, he traced them and made sure that they were executed as follows:

 Empowerment of Artisans & Traders with revolving micro credit of 50m, powered by SMEDAN.

Training & empowerment program for youths & film stakeholders in the District, powered by Nigeria Film Corporation.

Facilitation of ecological funds for erosion control projects, scheduled for commencement after Covid 19 lockdown. 

Facilitation of innovation of Oje-Igosun Primary School, Ibadan.

Presently all hands are on deck to make sure that all the projects allocated to the Senatorial District in the 2020 Budget are executed.

PERSONAL EFFORTS BY KOLA BALOGUN.

Donation & installation of 500KVA Transformer to the 6 communities of Ali-iwo Area, Ibadan North East Local Government.

Various charity works through donations of cash, food palliatives and materials; before and during  the invasion of the COVID-19 virus.

       Effort is being exerted to help constituents who applied for Central Bank assisted Microfinance loans for covid-19 support to businesses; being processed by NIRSAL Micro Finance Bank. 

Wrote several letters of recommendations for employments for various members of the constituency.

       Visit to some tertiary institutions/ Research Institutions in Ibadan e.g.  IAR&T, IITA for the purpose of collaboration with the District and for National Assembly support.

       Facilitating Akufo Cattle Ranch farm worth $10m to Oyo State.

Discussed areas of collaboration with the United Nations at Abuja.

Facilitation of Federal Government dry food ration exercise for 250 household.

Facilitation of conditional cash transfer programme of the Federal Government  to 250 beneficiaries in the Senatorial District. 

Facilitation of 100 beneficiaries for the N-Power programme. 

During the tough period of Local Government crises in Oyo State effort, effort was made to see the Inspector General of Police to make sure that court order was enforced and same was successful.

Presently monitoring and making sure how all the various projects belonging to the Senatorial District in the 2020 Budget of the Federal Government would be implemented.

Above all, Senator Kola Balogun is not a truant-Senator and has demonstrated true collaboration with his colleagues, thereby breaking lines of tribal and party affiliations. Though I am not surprised at Senator Kola Balogun's achievements because he has PhD in Political Science and he's only committed to playing by the books and compassionate to strike a balance for the people's sake. The story is not how far but how well. No wonder he was voted the best Senator in Oyo State last December, when he has had just 6 months as federal legislator and up against two other second and third termer senators. Covid 19 Palliatives, facilitation of FG Covid relief for the District, seasonal gifts, religious obligations, extra-budgetary provision of utility aides like boreholes and transformers to the people are some of the personal efforts in last one year.

CONTINUOUS MEDIA ENGAGEMENTS: From the onset, Senator Kola Balogun uses the media very well in continuous engagements with the electorate and always avail himself of opportunity to give account of his stewardship as often as the opportunity presents itself. This has gotten to the extent that the opposition calls him "Audio Senator"; though they meant it as derogatory but we see it as great compliment because it's an attestation to out dynamic engagement with the public which the opposition party is not familiar with. There are over 30 radio stations in Oyo South Senator District and Senator Kola Balogun has done so well to balance his engagements among the majority of the stations because they all have their audience.

Rotimi Johnson Ojasope

SA Media

rotisbon@gmail.com

Rotimi Johnson Ojasope

SA Media

rotisbon@gmail.com

FIRST YEAR OF SENATOR KOLA BALOGUN IS COLOSSAL - By Providence Coalition

FIRST YEAR OF SENATOR KOLA BALOGUN IS COLOSSAL - By Providence Coalition

The sociopolitical group that initiated and supported the campaign of Senator Kola Balogun all through his sojourn in other parties and until he won the election for the Senate under PDP, the Providence Coalition has described the senator for Oyo South district as a great achiever who has made colossal impacts in just one year as a first term Senator. 

According to the Public Relations Executive of the group, the Chairman, Prince Niran Adeyoju,  the Political leader, Asiwaju Omilabu Gandhi and the Director General of the organization, Mogaji Olumuyiwa Makinde, met with the members of the group to assess Senator Balogun's first year and they are very proud of his strides, despite the daunting distractions of 5 different court cases and the challenges of the pandemic. According to the Chairman, "Senator Kola Balogun has made us very proud and recorded unprecedented achievements in his first year; he's not a truant senator and has compassion for true service to the people".

According to Asiwaju Omilabu Gandhi; "we didn't know he has done so much until we started itemizing his achievements and comparing to previous Senators. He has made us proud and we pray God continues to grant him vibrant health to see through his other promises and surpass his first year performance". The Director General of the organization simply said; "we are proud of his achievements and we must showcase them to the whole world; Senator Kola Balogun is good". 

The Chairman of the Organization, Prince Adeyoju however assures the people that Senator Kola Balogun would work harder this second year to ensure all sectors and areas of his district feel the positive impacts of his office. 

The press statement concludes by listing the achievements of the Senator for the public again:

The achievements are categorised into 3: Personal Efforts, LEGISLATIVE DUTIES, BILLS:

The Bills sponsored by him are as follows:

A Bill for an Act to Amend the National Health Act, 2014, TO Regulate Medical Treatment Abroad and for other Matters Connected Therewith, 2020.

A Bill For An Act To Alter The  Provisions Of The Constitution Of The Federal Republic Of Nigeria, 1999 ( AS AMENDED), To Make Provisions For A Periodic Conduct Of National Population  And Housing Census In Nigeria.

A Bill For An Act To Develop A Decentralised System Of Vigilantism Peculiar To Every Local Community In Nigeria, Facilitate Community Policing, Neighbourhood Watch, Local Intelligence Gathering And For Other Related Matters.

CO-SPONSORED BILLS AND THE ONES HE SPOKE IN SUPPORT OF.

South West Economic  Development Commission Bill.

National Primary Health Care Development Agency Act Amendment 

Bill for Act for The Establishment of Federal University of Technology Yaba. Moved by Senator Olamilekan Adeola Solomon of Lagos West.

Bill for an Act to Establish a Commission for Electoral Offences.

He supported the Bill for The Establishment of North Central Development Commission; Sponsored By Sen. Abba Moro.

MOTONS. 

Urgent need to upgrade the status of the Ibadan Airport from local to

international Airport.

Need to immortalise Late Chief Richard Akinjide SAN due to  his Contribution towards national development.

MOTIONS SUPPORTED.

Supported motion for the revitalization of Textile industry in Nigeria.

He spoke in support of the appointment of Hon. Sunday Dares appointment as a minister.

He contributed during the 2020 appropriation debate wherein he spoke on the need to increase budgetary spending on Education, Healthcare, Power, Road and Rail infrastructure and Agriculture.

OVER SITE FUNCTIONS.

There were various over-site visits among which are:

Visit to various institutions under the committee on Science and Technology within the FCT.

Over-site function visit to Ministry of Education and National Examination Council at Abuja.

Anti Corruption committee training in collaboration with other international bodies at Dubai, United Arab Emirate.

Anti Corruption committee over-site at Lagos and Ibadan.

Senate Committee on Youth and Sports development trip to Lesotho for the African Cup of Nations.

Senate Committee on Youth and Sports development inspection visit for 2020 Sports Festival Facility at Edo State. 

 Senate Committee tour on inspection to Army formations facility at Kaduna State.

He served as the resource person that represented the Senate Chairman on Anti-Corruption Committee at the 2019 International Anti-corruption day 2019 on the need to eradicate corruption. 

He served as the resource person that represented the Chairman Youth and Sports development Committee at the programme organized for empowerment of youths and the disabled at Dutse.

He was always punctual at the various senate committees meetings where  he is a member thereof and he makes meaningful contribution.

MONITORING AND MAKING  SURE THAT THE  PROJECTS ALLOCATED TO OYO SOUTH SENATORIAL DISTRICT IN THE 2019 AND 2020 BUDGET ARE EXECUTED. 

Upon being sworn as a Senator, he discovered that few projects were allocated to the district in the 2019 Budget already passed by the former National Assembly, he traced them and made sure that they were executed as follows:

 Empowerment of Artisans & Traders with revolving micro credit of 50m, powered by SMEDAN.

Training & empowerment program for youths & film stakeholders in the District, powered by Nigeria Film Corporation.

Facilitation of ecological funds for erosion control projects, scheduled for commencement after Covid 19 lockdown. 

Facilitation of innovation of Oje-Igosun Primary School, Ibadan.

Presently all hands are on deck to make sure that all the projects allocated to the Senatorial District in the 2020 Budget are executed.

PERSONAL EFFORTS.

Donation & installation of 500KVA Transformer to the 6 communities of Ali-iwo Area, Ibadan North East Local Government.

Various charity works through donations of cash, food palliatives and materials; before and during  the invasion of the COVID-19 virus.

Effort is being exerted to help constituents who applied for Central Bank assisted Microfinance loans for covid-19 support to businesses; being processed by NIRSAL Micro Finance Bank. 

Wrote several letters of recommendations for employments for various members of the constituency.

Visit to some tertiary institutions/ Research Institutions in Ibadan e.g.  IAR&T, IITA for the purpose of collaboration with the District and for National Assembly support.

Facilitating Akufo Cattle Ranch farm worth $10m to Oyo State.

Discussed areas of collaboration with the United Nations at Abuja.

Facilitation of Federal Government dry food ration exercise for 250 household.

Facilitation of conditional cash transfer programme of the Federal Government  to 250 beneficiaries in the Senatorial District. 

Facilitation of 100 beneficiaries for the N-Power programme. 

During the tough period of Local Government crises in Oyo State effort, effort was made to see the Inspector General of Police to make sure that court order was enforced and same was successful.

Presently monitoring and making sure how all the various projects belonging to the Senatorial District in the 2020 Budget of the Federal Government would be implemented.

 

 Signed

Rotimi Johnson

Public Relations Executive of Providence Coalition

LET'S SETTLE THIS MATTER 2; GSM AS A POPULIST GOVERNOR

LET'S SETTLE THIS MATTER 2; GSM AS A POPULIST GOVERNOR:

Since the erudite lawyer, Chief Niyi Akintola (SAN) came on live radio program and accused Governor Seyi Makinde of populist style of governance, many other APC top-notchers came up to chorus same accusation and I was left bewildered by this unfounded allegation and misappropriated word. I took to study what populism is and discovered that is was makes one a true progressive, as against the conservatives.

WHAT IS POPULISM: The layman definition will describe it simply as; "the name of political movements. These movements usually make a difference between the common man, or the common people, and a political elite. ... They want to help the common people get some of the rights and privileges of the elites". Now, if this is the description, then why does it becomes derogatory for an administrator to be a populist? The bane of our politics is not having basic ideologies and it's so prevalent that the few with ideologies are facing daunting challenges of acceptance and recognition because our dominant style in Nigeria is elitist.

LATE AWOLOWO AND BOLA IGE WERE POPULISTS: Our symbol of progressivism, Chief Obafemi Awolowo was a populist who championed free education and health in the South West and Nigeria despite oppositions and financial challenges. Though the APC love to deceive the people by parading themselves as through followers of Pa Awolowo, thereby progressives and many of them wear his kind of Cap but in actual fact, they represent the exact opposite of Awolowo and Bola Ige that continued in Awolowo's steps.

GOVERNOR AJIMOBI WAS ELITIST: This is not mere name calling but looking critically at his policies and programs, one would see that he set out to appease the elites and make them comfortable. I have had to argue with my very comfortable friends that Ajimobi performance was good to them because he meets their indexes of good governance hierarchy of needs; Security, beautification and serene environment were the priorities of the elites; they would frown at why government should make education or health free and why the environment should be dirty. On the other hand, the poor who are in the far majority are particular about issues of survival; Food, jobs, small scale business incentives and health insurance. The priority list of the leader actually determines if populist or elitist. It was so easy for Engr Seyi Makinde to gain popularity among the downtrodden because he largely represents opposite of Ajimobi styles.

POPULISM IS A COMPLIMENT: In Nigeria where the vast majority are poor and we have been described as the poverty headquarters of the world, how can elitist government be popular? Many leaders in Nigeria widen the gap between the rich and the poor, rather than bridge it. Most government policies make the rich richer and the poor poorer. Governor Seyi Makinde is a sharp departure from the previous practice and no wonder he had been (now rightly) described as populist leader. Populism in leadership here should be a compliment, not appropriate for accusation.

THE NEED FOR BALANCE: Though populist, Governor Seyi Makinde is striving to strike a balance between the two extremes because though tilting towards populism, he's from political elites and understands the needs of the elites too. The difference is the top priorities. 

THE DEMOCRATIC IMPLICATIONS: It is commonsensical that if the poor are in the vast majority, the largest percentage of the voters, then whoever has this group in his grasp has the mandate. Moreover, the political elites in Nigeria are not good voters; they are not so patriotic and would not risk anything to go out and vote on election day, not even their comforts. They will consider security at the polls, the intensity of the Sun and believe they should just monitor the elections on Television or online. The poor on the other hand would go out; whether sunshine or rainfall, defend their votes and follow through the processes to logical conclusion. If the elites manage to come out for elections, they cast their votes and leave the rest; very self commending and self serving. Without casting aspersions, these are the too categories we have in our election management. 

WHY GOVERNOR MAKINDE MUST REMAIN POPULIST: The political elites who are predominantly in APC in Oyo State might complain bitterly that Engr Seyi Makinde is a populist Governor but His Excellency must importantly remain populist because that was the perception that won him the election with confounding margin at the last elections. So the accusation of running populist government is actually an attestation from the opposition that Engr Seyi Makinde is very popular as Oyo State Governor. So, I join the good people of Oyo State to congratulate His Excellency, Engr Seyi Makinde for having clearcut political ideology and sticking to it.

So finally, now that we have daringly admitted that Governor Seyi Makinde is a populist leader, who shall settle this matter because rather than object and be put on the defensive, we say; Governor Seyi Makinde is populist, and so what? 

LEADERSHIP QUOTE: What in Mandela was seen as an almost saintly ability to conciliate could, in a lesser man, be read as weak-kneed populism.  - Mark Gevisser

Rotimi Johnson Ojasope.

rotisbon@gmail.com

LET'S SETTLE THIS MATTER 1; GSM, THE MAKING OF QUINTESSENTIAL STATESMAN. By Rotimi Johnson Ojasope

According to the dictionary, quintessential means perfectly typical or representative of a particular kind of person or thing and Statesman is a wise, skillful, and respected political leader. So the word quintessential statesman can then be a description of uncommon, purposeful, selfless and visionary leader; qualities that are rear in public leadership in this clime. To describe Governor Seyi Makinde so is not to curry any favour or appointment; I think he knows I wouldn't do that for any reason but this is just to draw more attentions to some leadership strides in the last one year, such that will take him to his destination. 

CONTINUOUS ENGAGEMENT WITH THE PEOPLE: It is important to highlight the importance of continuous engagements with the people in a democratic setting and Governor Seyi Makinde has been able to do this, despite pandemic and other daunting challenges. These engagements allow for stewardship and continuous assessment of his administration while he gets direct feedbacks from the people. There is only one other Governor that (I know) keeps up with this and it's Patrick Yakowa of Delta State. This quality is why the opposition calls Governor Makinde audio-governor but I think it's a compliment because it confirms the fact that he keeps engaging the people. 

ADMITTANCE OF WRONG: The opposition would say; "he will come and apologize as usual", thinking they pull him down by so doing but it is a strength of character which is very uncommon among our leaders in Nigeria, a quality that is very uncommon in APC leaders. I must admit Oshiomole once apologized as governor when he publicly humiliated a widow that was hulking. Since no one is infallible, we must put aside administrative arrogance and show that we are not "all-knowing". 

CALLS FOR CONSTRUCTIVE CRITICISMS: His Excellency, Governor Seyi Makinde always call for the constructive criticisms from the opposition, the populace and the pressmen, saying; these will help us to do better. He went as far of assuring the public that if the opposition gives a better idea and his administration considers it pragmatic, it will be implemented and the credit given to the initiator. Wao! No wonder someone asked be if Seyi Makinde is truly from Oyo State, if he is a Nigerian? Great leaders are not born, they are made and I can affirm unequivocally that Governor Seyi Makinde has started the strides to great leadership. 

COMPLETION OF PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATION ABANDONED PROJECTS: Though I knew Governor Makinde continues with many abandoned projects but I never knew it's at this unprecedented level of 239 projects completed in a year. I was flabbergasted my the figure of completed abandoned projects and he keeps saying they are government projects, not party projects because they are executed with public funds and the projects are for the benefits of the people. He is a leader who prioritized the completion of good but abandoned projects to the commencement of new ones. Prior to rolling out the achievements of his administration in the last one year, the opposition party accused the Governor of commissioning only Ajimobi projects but when the Administration showed the achievements and number of Ajimobi projects completed; we have not been able to settle the matter since Friday; they are more than confounded. 

NONPARTISAN EMPLOYMENTS AND CONSULTANCY: Though I must admit I have my reservations about this but it doesn't change the fact that it is statesmanship; his employment of aides and consultants to the government has nothing to do with party affiliations, as long as competence is assured. Many consultants from previous administration are still on their jobs despite agitations from our party loyalists for their replacements. Personally, I believe we have more competent party loyalists but His Excellency has gone the way of statesmanship, not partisanship. 

We have had brilliant and very intelligent leaders in the past but the ability to focus on the people and mutual destination were found wanting; according to the definitions of statesmanship, it is all about the decisions of the leader, not how long he has been in power or politics. It is the wise popular decisions that makes statesmanship, not how many foreign bank accounts and how long one has been in office. Consequently, a young man too can be a statesman, if there are evidences of consistently wise and popular decisions. 

LEADERSHIP QUOTES: A politician thinks of the next election. A statesman, of the next generation. - James Freeman Clarke

Rotimi Johnson Ojasope

ANIPR, Fellow-IPDCRM