Akeredolu’s economic plan’ll lift Ondo State —Kazeem Falodun

Alhaji Kazeem Falodun is a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the diaspora and also active in the Ondo State chapter of the party. He speaks with DAPO FALADE on what the people should expect from the new governor of the state, Mr Rotimi Akeredolu.

Are there things you think the new administration in Ondo State will do differently, compared with the Dr Segun Mimiko administration?

Yes, I know many things that would have been done differently if Arakunrin Akeredolu had been in charge years back. Now that he is in, a lot will be done differently. One, Governor Segun Mimiko appeared not to believe in long term projects but quick fix that would give him instant glories. Take for instance the issue of the Dome that gulped billions of naira. Half of what was expended on the event centre is what we need to put our bitumen project in place. The bitumen project would have been a good economic intervention for Ondo State; in terms of revenue generation and employment opportunities for hundreds of our graduate youths.

Again, look at the Olokola Free Trade zone project which our late governor, Olusegun Agagu, started. If Olokola had been given attention, Ondo would have become as rich, if not richer than, Lagos State. With Olokola, many investors would have come to Ondo State. We should not forget that Alhaji Aliko Dangote was planning to build a refinery there.

The fear is that Akeredolu too may abandon the existing projects and start new ones just like Mimiko. Do you have any contrary view?

You concluded that way because you don’t know Arakunrin Akeredolu. He cares less about some cheap popularity that typical Nigerian politicians are known for. His interest lies in what will bring total good to the people. Period! He has never hidden his bias for projects that would create jobs and develop the state. To me, he is coming in to build and not to destroy and whoever that has that in mind will not abandon developmental projects of his predecessors.

Akeredolu is coming in at a time there is paucity of funds and also poor rating of his party, APC. Don’t you think this may affect his performance?

I don’t think all those factors would in any way affect his plan for Ondo State. He is not coming in by accident, but through a process that has allowed him to plan and think of what to do to alleviate poverty in the state. Governance is about creativity and innovation. Right from my undergraduate days as a student of economics, I have known and appreciated the place of good economic plan in governance. I’m privy to the fact that Akeredolu is planning to come up with a strong economic team and economic plan that will re-create Ondo State. In the next two years, I have no doubt that what is currently happening in Lagos will be happening in Ondo State, in terms of revenue generation, employment opportunities and developmental projects. Akeredolu has consistently aspired to become governor and he has mapped out strategies that would make the job easy for him. Asides, he has not hesitated to tell who cares to listen that he is keen about having a good team that would help him achieve his aims.

How do you think the incoming government can solve the problem of unemployment?

With Akeredolu in the saddle, it is certain that he will explore agriculture and attract foreign investors. If Ondo State is turned to an industrial hub in Nigeria, I can bet it, issues related to unemployment will become a thing of the past. Another thing is that the new governor should try to facilitate the building of ports in the state, given its strategic position. This will boost our economy and create jobs as well.

You are based in Dublin, but still maintains ties with your people at home. What informed this?

First of all, I’m an Owo man in Ondo State, even though based abroad. I was born in Owo, I grew up in Owo and I have my families in Owo. Even when I was in the University-I attended Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife-I was very close to Owo. After university education, I travelled to Europe, but I have never allowed that to becloud my vision to touch lives in my community. That explains why I always come around during festivals, either community or religious, to share good moment with my people. Again, since we entered this democratic dispensation, I have participated in almost all the elections that took place in Ondo State. In most cases, I came in months before the election and participated well in campaign and mobilisation. I’m doing all these because I know that, regardless of whatever I’m giving to support my people, political participation will allow me to do more in the area of service and provision of necessary support to better the society.

Anywhere I find myself, I’m always willing to give back to the society, to the people and to my country. We must all think of what we can do for our country, state and people of our community, not what they can do for us. With what I have experienced in life, I know what it takes to get educated and get job; you just must pass through people.

Don’t you think the controversy and disagreement within the Ondo APC before and after the emergence of Akeredolu could be a distraction for the incoming administration?

From what I have seen and observe about our leaders, especially Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, what happened during the primaries are not enough to tear the party apart. I can tell you, they have all closed ranks. Don’t forget that the party and the governor made room for reconciliation after the election and that has gone a long way in resolving most of the knotty issues. As I talk, APC in Ondo State is one with the sole aim of rescuing the state and taking it back to its glorious position.

Have you vie for any political office before?

Yes, I participated in the 2011 elections by contesting the state House of Assembly seat in Owo on the platform of the ANPP. I did my best, even though I didn’t the election. But despite that, I worked well with my leaders and contributed in no small measure. It is still strange to some people in my constituency how I have consistently made my impact felt at home despite being in abroad. I do tell them that there is no magic about it. I come home, at least, three times in a year and whenever I’m around, I participate well in what happens around me.