The opinions presented in this piece are those of the author and do not necessarily represent InTv Media’s editorial position.Thank you.
On Monday, his first day in office, Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State shook his body vigorously to Kizz Daniel’s popular song ‘Buga’ to the delight of the people of the state.
That couldn’t have surprised anyone. As an ordinary citizen and later a senator of the Federal Republic, Adeleke earned a reputation for his ability to shake, sway, and spin with dexterity. It is a guilty pleasure for which almost all Nigerians know the man who is now likely to be called the ‘Dancing Governor.’ Displaying his skills to the people of Osun, over whom he will be governor for the next four years, is thus appropriate. Yet this is no time to dance away!
In Osun State, as in most of Nigeria, the people need serious and urgent transformative governance. To achieve this, a leader would need meticulous planning, deep introspection, and a proper evaluation of issues affecting the lives of the people. In other words, impulsive and rash decisions toward populist or political ends would be counterproductive.
Adeleke is wobbling in this area from these very early days. Just a few hours into his administration, he announced the reversal of some of the last-minute decisions of former Governor Adegboyega Oyetola. This included the termination of the appointments of the alleged 12,000 people and the dethronement of some traditional rulers.
READ ALSO: Nigerians Eager For 2023 Change
The new governor’s first error is suggesting that, upon losing the governorship election on July 17, Oyetola became incapacitated. This is a fallacy from which Governor Adeleke must quickly wake up. The former governor had the seal of office until November 28, 2022, and every decision he took had the force of law and may have been beneficial to the people.
This is not to turn a blind eye to Oyetola’s post-election executive recklessness and delinquency. There is no other way to explain the assaults on appointments and absurd generosity. However, there could be more adroit political and administrative ways of dealing with that ultra-power display without Adeleke’s dramatic and military-like precision.
One of the very important things the governor should consider is whether these decisions, which are only unreasonable but not ultra vires, benefit the state in any way. Even if they don’t, leaders must see governance as a continuum.
This is one lesson politicians should learn from the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari(retd.). Apart from his seemingly chummy relationship with former President Goodluck Jonathan, some of the projects started by the latter have become poster achievements for the Buhari government and an advantage to many Nigerians. Talk about infrastructural projects like the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, the Second Niger Bridge, and various railway projects. If Buhari had abandoned or cancelled these projects, would they have become reference points today?
So, if, as Oyetola claimed, he managed the resources of the state with as much prudence as to have paid off almost half of the N200bn debt incurred by his predecessor and left N14bn in the coffers of the state, he is not the man that his successors should just want to write off without due consideration. Politicians, including Oyetola, who was said to have left office without any handover notes, must understand the difference between politics and governance. It is sad that these people play politics with everything.
That said, Adeleke has a unique opportunity to write his name in gold at this time when leadership is scarce in the country. Fortunately, with his family background, he is not likely to be one of those politicians motivated by the need to appropriate state resources for personal ends. Even then, he must be careful with friends and hangers-on who will want to exploit his office. Most people around power holders are vultures who exploit Nigeria’s rent-seeking system to corner state resources, thereby deepening general poverty in favour of their consumptive lifestyles around the world.
The opportunity in Adeleke’s hands is one that can disrupt the narrative in Nigeria forever. In a country where governors are more powerful than the process, where with a stroke of executive declaration and orders, personal and societal realities can change within the speed of light, this man can redefine the future of Osun State and its people. Good enough, he seems to understand some of the most important things to do.
One of the attractive parts of his largely bland inaugural speech is the revamping of education in the state.
In Item 14, Adeleke spoke about the poor performance of the state in national educational ratings from the primary and secondary school examinations. He promised a reform targeting an improved learning environment and teacher education. And in Item 16, he said, “Our administration will soon convene an emergency education conference to articulate our blueprint on the restoration of the state’s education glory.”
The Adeleke administration will do the state a lot of good by taking all the steps that he highlighted in his speech. In doing this, however, the governor and his strategists must not concentrate only on improving the capacity of students to pass exams. Education is not just about passing examinations; it is about empowering people with adequate information and skills that prepare them for the challenges of the future. In improving teacher education and other variables, the state should therefore endeavour to make education more functional. The curriculum should challenge the ability to think critically and not just receive knowledge without agitating the mind.
In addition to promoting formal education, the state will do well to promote quality vocational education for children who may not have the capacity for academics. In doing this, students should understand the dignity of labour, so everyone has a sense of pride in their chosen profession. Vocational education is a key to unlocking the door for the employment of the multitude of Nigerian youths roaming the streets.
It is also gratifying that he is considering paying attention to healthcare delivery in the state. Of particular interest is the plan to improve primary healthcare and expand the health insurance school. Hopefully, this will mean that people in the communities will benefit from health insurance.
The first Premier of Western Nigeria, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, delivered a speech titled, “Man is the sole dynamic in nature” at the 1974 convocation of the then University of Ife. Among many other things, the late sage said in the speech, “It is axiomatic that man can create nothing. But, by an intelligent and purposive application of the exertions of his body and mind, he can exploit natural resources to produce goods and services for immediate consumption and for capital outlay. Therefore other things being equal, the healthier his body and the more educated his mind, the greater will be his morale and the more efficient and economical he becomes as a producer and consumer.”
Building sound minds for the future and ensuring access to good healthcare are two ways this new governor can set Osun State on the path to sustainable growth.
It is achievable, although he will be working with a ‘hostile’ state House of Assembly. Party affiliations and loyalties oxygenate the political process, no doubt, but if all parties put the people of Osun State first and the governor is wise in his dealings, the state will move forward regardless of political differences.
In the final analysis, Adeleke must realise that his character, capacity, and family values are on public display while he is in office. His performance, one way or the other, will ultimately define his place in history. One can only wish him well in his tenure after which he can continue dancing, unabatedly.
Niran Adedokun
Twitter@niranadedokun
