Ajimobi offers Makinde tips on having an impactful administration

GOVERNOR Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State has urged his successor, Mr Seyi Makinde to be unyielding and intolerant of brigandage, thuggery, criminality in any form if he is to maintain and improve upon the relative peace and security that the state had had in the past eight years.

Ajimobi gave this charge during a thanksgiving service for the completion of his two terms as governor, at the Cathedral of St James, Ibadan, on Sunday.

Drawing from his years as governor, Ajimobi emphasised the critical role of the persona of a leader, noting that miscreants would not dare foment trouble if they saw in a leader one resolved not to handle any form of criminality with kid gloves.

Furthermore, he said the incoming governor, Makinde, must not shy away from stepping on toes if his administration is to be impactful and successful.

“The only way to maintain the security of Oyo State is to be stubborn. When those who cause trouble know you to be a stubborn person, they won’t dare you.

“I will advise the incoming governor to continue from where we are stopping. He may need to step on toes to be successful and impactful. If he treats miscreants with kid gloves they may derail his administration,” Ajimobi stated.

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Aside from improving upon peace and security, Ajimobi urged Makinde to also take the socioeconomic development of the state bars higher that he would be leaving it.

Ajimobi also prayed that Makinde enjoins his wife to also organise regular prayer sessions for the state through the Women Intercessory Network instituted by his wife, Mrs Florence Ajimobi.

In his homily, Bishop of the Diocese of Ibadan, Anglican Communion, Most Reverend Joseph Akinfenwa, urged Ajimobi to erase party lines and be keen on supporting the Makinde’s government to succeed.

Noting that the ultimate interest of the continued upliftment of the state should be supreme, Akinfenwa stressed that Ajimobi would only himself as a great achiever if his successor also succeeds.

Especially, he charged the Makinde’s government to get their priorities right and set the ball rolling immediately it is sworn in on Wednesday, adding that the countdown to 2023 was set to begin.

He also did laud Ajimobi’s strides in road infrastructure, ensuring peace and security, adding that posterity would remember the outgoing governor for his efforts in improving the lot of the state.

“You have done very well. You are APC and the incoming administration is PDP, but the major fact is that we are all indigenes of this state.

“Please do not be far from the incoming administration. You must work for the success of your successor. You will be a great achiever if your successor succeeds,’’ he said.

“Whatever has been done in the past has been done. The incoming should draw a line, pick their priorities and begin the administration.

“Between now and 2023, let us all work together for the success of Makinde, the incoming governor,’’ Akinfenwa said.