I remain Habeeb Whyte and I am still obliged with the responsibility that life placed on me to suggest a path towards developmental attempt especially where the State I hail from is concerned. I write this as a pen pusher that is ready to change the cause of his generation, using the pen and advocacy. I hail from Abeokuta where indigenes do not speak out of fear, but where they speak so that changes could be effected. My purpose comes with justification. In saying this, I am not trying to stir up wounds from any angle intentionally or accidentally, and I would like to avoid both situations. When you face a challenge that demands solution or a decision, you have two choices. You either emulate the example set by others or use your own creativity and intelligence to formulate a new idea. Many brilliant ideas have circulated the country and various States have copied their concepts, so much that these once inspired creations often become hackneyed.
However, second hand ideas are not for us here in Ogun State. We would rather lead than follow by a landmark. The problem now is the present crops of leaders in the State, striving to make policies centered on the blueprint of developing Ogun State a priority, especially on the note that our young Ogun indigenes are the precious asset and key to the States future success. Only the deep can call the deep.
Chief Obafemi Awolowo in his broadcast to voters in Ibadan as a Presidential candidate on February 12, 1979 has put the situation of events well when he said, “however, because some political leaders see your manifest destiny as a plaything; they do not intend to take their election promises seriously.
Indeed, they do not intend to take their election promises seriously. Indeed, they do not intend to make any binding undertakings to you. They have postulated no political theories nor have they prepared any coherent or unequivocal party programmes.” As if the late sage was a soothsayer, he has prophesized the exact events that are happening right now in Ogun State. I do not know if most of the elected leaders do forget the basis of been elected into office. In all sincerity, the present day leadership in our dear Gateway State lacks the right styles that can galvanize everyone they govern. The administration is not advancing to its proper destination like a railway goods train full of steam. It started on a good note to an extent. The latter part is not just it at all.
The stifling and scuttling of democracy in Ogun State begins exactly when our elected leaders are been giving the opportunity to lead for the second time. Our leaders are always caught in the web of under-performance during their second term in office. Whether this is a curse or so, no one has been able to accurately give an account. They fall into political liquidation at the time they have been given the second chance to keep transforming the State. One would assume that Ogun State been a State with well educated and exposed people, it can be easily assumed that the level of educated electorates can make her people easy to lead but difficult to drive. More easy to govern than enslave but the latter has govern the former confidently. We are mostly enslaved by our leaders both at the upper and lower level of the State. Most minds have been chained to the power politics system been operated rather than politics of development and welfarism. The State is not only saturated with emerging small minded political dictators, it is a haven for political nitwits and sycophants who worship stomach infrastructure projects and kowtowed anyone at the helms of affairs. It played out during the last local government elections held in the State. It was an eye saw. It is a very bad scene to be featured in a normal and sane political stage. Most Ogun indigenes have turned obsequious electorates. They are only interested and preoccupied with ‘cash for votes processes and it has in turn destroyed the real developmental process of electioneering. It is now in shams.
I know the present Governor was elected because he had a solid plan to deliver the Ogun indigenes from their assumed political miseries and afford him the opportunity to lay an infrastructure foundation for the States rapid industrialization and economic take off and development. No doubt, many Ogun electorates even those outside Ogun State homestead were envious of his first term achievement. I was impressed too. I cannot just explain his recent body languages as to the business of governance in the State. The height of maladministration is alarming. It was the thought of electorates that the influence of the number one citizen of the State with the number one citizen of the country would be of great blessing to the State. The whole politicking is rather than the impressive style and attention seeking mode. The activities of the government would rather be directed to impress the President than unite with fellow Southern leaders to lead a southern cause. The impressive style is a product of having a Minister of Finance from the State. Whether she has been able to lead the country out of recession is another topic for another day. The recent treatment of civil servants in the State is also a worrying issue. The moment the reward of hard work is pain and anguish, development ceases. If the main drivers of the States economy complains that their affairs are been mismanaged and rather than leadership of the State to do everything within their means to avert any eventualities but rather dares the guts of the workers with the invocation of the no work, no pay rule. This is a perfect explanation of how a single person arrogantly abuses the rights of many and tries to rationalize it. Management is more than just a word; it is a full fledged science. In the presence of light, darkness cannot exist; nor can the night of misery and suffering see the day. Light is therefore the symbol of hope. We would continue to pray that the great light shines on the States civil servants not for today alone but forever more.
I have always noted that the task of leaders especially political ones is the need for them to make an inclusion of an appropriate number of suitably qualified youths in their programmes, with an eye to succession. Leaders must learn to keep sight of the bigger picture. The bigger picture is one survival lifes driving force and the reason why all creatures spend each day trying to catch prey or escape their hunters. Survival cannot be achieved by wishful thinking. Continued growth requires huge effort, complete attention and being consistently alert to potential dangers. It is time for the Ogun State government to swiftly switch focus on the inclusion of youths in her programmes. This government has failed in that aspect from inception. It is not good that we keep having old wine in new bottle. Serve us fresh rum and lets toast to a proper political development. Cheers!
(WHYTE HABEEB IBIDAPO is a Lawyer, United Nations Award winner, Africa International Arbitration Award winner, Coca cola/ The Nation Campuslife Award Winner, Promasidor Runner-up for the Best Future Writer in Nigeria, i-Hustle Campaign Initiative Ambassador and Editor Egba Youth Awards Foundation.
Email: whyte287@gmail.com
@whytehabeeb