Election: Lesson for Oyo stakeholders

Oyo State, the political capital of the southwest, as it is regarded has no doubt taken its politics to the level whereby the electorates are mainly the deciding factor in who wins and who loses in elections. It is a good democratic feat that should be sustained and emulated by the people of Oyo state and other states respectively.

Great developmental strides can only be achieved in our state when the truth resonates in the consciousness of our leaders, that they can be ejected the same way they are elected when they fail to pursue masses-oriented policies and programmes. Once they know this, good governance would be the order of the day.

As much as one commends the outgoing administration in the state for its achievements, one feels highly compelled to raise concerns about some of its lacunas, so that those coming in now and in the future do not fall in the same pit of mistakes.

My govt has no plan to return to payment of modulated salaries ― Oyetola

In terms of education, the outgoing administration performed below expectations. What is the need for a new higher institution when the existing ones are on the brink of collapse? Of what use is an institution when majority of parents cannot afford the exorbitant fees charged by the state? Why must such school not be for everyone? After all, it was established with the taxpayers’ money. The occurrence of strike actions in Oyo state higher institutions in the last few years is one that has never been witnessed in the history of the state.

Also, the state of public primary and secondary schools in some local government areas is nothing to write home about. Most of the structures are dilapidated and pupils sit on the floor in some schools. In fact, it is a topic for another day.

On infrastructures, especially roads, more attention has been focused on the major cities, especially Ibadan. For a great boost in agricultural outputs which is a very good potential for IGR, there must be a declaration of state of emergency on the rural roads.

Another important feature of a good administration is how serious it takes the welfare of its labour force. A worker that is denied promotion as and when due, entitlement and prompt salary is not expected to give his/her best in the job. If the monthly allocation is dwindling, the state government should let the labour leaders in on the state of things and let everyone bring in suggestions on how to arrive at a consensus that is favourable to all.

Ishola Akintunde

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