By Seyifunmi Odunuga
The Founder, Spiritual Head and Grand Imam of Shafaudeen in Islam Worldwide, Prof. Sabit Ariyo Olagoke JP has urged Governor Seyi Makinde to use the opportunity of his second term in office to encourage Local politics so as to improve the lives of the masses through the local government who according to him is the closest to the masses.
This was contained in a congratulatory letter to the Governor which he personally signed and made available to journalists in Ibadan.
The letter reads “For our Governor in Oyo State, I congratulate Engr. Seyi Makinde FNSE, on behalf of myself as Mogaji Aare Alasa, Arole Ogun- Elu, Aare Alasa Dynasty of which Aigbofa compound among other 35 compounds is your source. We congratulate your excellency on the second term election successes.”
We equally commend you for the reconstruction of Oja’ba – Oranyan axis and the renovation of the first Central Mosque in Ibadan at Oja’ba. All these endear all of us to you personally and your administration. May your name never be soiled.
While speaking about the conduct of the election , Prof. Olagoke JP commended the INEC for the peaceful conduct of the Election which according to him was made possible through the use of the BVAS machines and Server Network for results transmission.
The Cleric however urges Governor Seyi Makinde to use his second term in office to mend fences with aggrieved members of the party and ensure that his Government put in place an housing estate scheme for the civil servants in the state.
Prof. Olagoke also advises Governor Seyi Makinde to upgrade the tertiary institutions in the State and ensure that the fee is reduced for the downtrodden masses to have access to good education.
“Having spent the first four years to cater for the civil servants, Governor Makinde should spend his second term to look into the other areas of the economy for total transformation as well as updating the cause of the retirees in getting their Gratuities to have complete and full commendation.”
In specifics, I put forward the following for consideration:
At the end of this second four years what would you be noted for? The first has been known to cater for civil servants, what of other areas? Start with this end in mind. Go back in history of the first four years, what area or sector were left unattended, give them attention this time around. Focus should be on good government not politics which drains energy and time. Practice management by walking around.
“Set performance goals, with high priority for functional local governments establishment. Each Head should set out its running agenda including how the agencies will accomplish the goal. This information should be available in public domain.
“Give greater attention to the current state of State Universities and Polytechnic Campuses; give them suitable look and review their tuitions to be affordable to all; attend to the gloomy state of our water works; provide standard road networks that is not coloured with political undertone.
Pay attention to the poor state of major towns in Oyo state; rehabilitate our general hospitals and be fair to all the 33 local government areas of the state.
“The issue of high sense of insecurities bedeviling the State is a call for concern and action, therefore I want the governor to intensify more efforts to ensure the the state is free from any form of criminal activities.
“As a religious leader who has observed Nigerian politics for some time, the most important advice I am going to give you is to be prayerful. Also, politics is local, I advise you to increase your local presence.”
Olagoke, who urged the INEC to prevent hackers in subsequent future election, also warned politicians to desist from vote buying but to rely on their credibility to attract leadership and elective positions.
“On a final note, do not perceive other political parties as arch enemies for peace to reign and accelerated development that will be sustainable and bequeathable to mark the era of Omituntun 2.0 as your second term Blessing.”
