I will submit myself to the people ― Ogun gov-elect

THE Ogun State Governor-elect, Prince Dapo Abiodun, has promised to submit himself to the will and aspirations of the people of the state as soon as the reins of power to administer the State is handed over to him on May 29.

Abiodun said this in his address during the pre-inauguration lecture with the theme: ‘Good Governance and Public Administration’, as part of activities lined up for his inauguration as the fifth democratically elected governor of the state, held at the Cultural Centre, Kuto, Abeokuta.

The governor-elect who admitted that there are many daunting challenges confronting the country and the State assured that some of the challenges would be tackled headlong, as soon as his government takes off.

Abiodun explained that the only missing link about these myriads of challenges is good governance, which according to him would be the main focal point of his government for progress and development.

He noted that expenditure of government must be in alignment with constant needs of the people, pointing out that preliminary reports submitted by various committees under the Economic Transition Committee collected the list of basic needs of the people across the State.

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Abiodun said his commitment to serve the people of the Gateway State would be consensus-oriented; accountable; respect for the rule of law; equitable and inclusive government among others.

“Today’s inaugural lecture is the last lap of activities for our inauguration next Wednesday is more than an intellectual commitment.

“We have collated a list of basic needs of the people across all the local governments in the State. These include rural and township roads, primary health care centres, public primary and secondary schools, with the indication of their current condition and categorisation as to the required efforts to turn around their fortunes.

“The next phase in this process is to engage the local communities to jointly determine the priorities for government intervention in the infrastructure in their respective areas. The intention here is to ensure government expenditures are aligned with the prioritised needs of the people and they are
constantly engaged in matters that affect them.”

In his remarks, the Chairman of the occasion, Mr Fola Adeola, urged the governor-elect not to by-pass the civil service but make it the mainstream.

He said that good governance is ideal but very costly, therefore, asking him to pursue programmes that would be of benefit to the people.

Professor Pat Utomi in his lecture hinged on the training and re-training of civil servants whom he described as the engine room of any government.

The Professor of Political Economy advised the incoming administration in the State to tackle unemployment; insecurity and education.

“The quality of education provided will determine the level of progress and country or state will go. Chief Obafemi Awolowo was exceptional as Premier of the defunct Western Region because he realised this very early. If you can dream it, you can have it.

“We must tackle unemployment. The youths of the country are losing faith and hope in the country. Tomorrow may be too far if the government fails to address this.”

The Panel of discussants includes; Dr Tunde Oseni, Head of Department, Politics and International Relations, Lead City University, Ibadan; Dr (Mrs) Christiana Famro, former Head of Servicom in the Presidency and the Pioneer Vice-Chancellor, Babcock University, Ilishan-Remo, Professor J.A Makinde.

The trio spoke on the need for the incoming government to strengthen the public service so as to promote professionalism and quality service delivery.