“It’s not hard to make decisions when you know what your values are.” -Roy Disney

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For three and half years I have been in denial. I have refused to believe that this is possible in Osun State. I have refused to accept that an “evil” political Party like the PDP could produce an honourable man of the people in Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola. Every where I went in Osun State during my numerous visits to Nigeria since he came to power, the impact of his governance is self evident. 

I never knew I would ever be in this position. I never knew that I would have reasons to commend a PDP governor. I never knew I would ever be convinced that any good can come out of Peoples Democratic Party in Osun State. I never liked the party and some of those who peopled it. I never knew that a governor of PDP, of all parties, could make anything happen for my people in Osun State. I never knew I could be impressed by any governor in this mad era.  Not in this Olusegun Obasanjo’s era of misgovernance, disrespect for law, violation of constitution and disregard for the wishes of the people!

But I have been proved wrong. Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola has proved me wrong that even at times, “good” can come out of “evil” that the PDP represents. He has proved to be the break in the line of insensitive, grouchy, imprudent governors that have been the burden of Osun State and its people since the founding governor, Colonel Ajiborisha left the scene.

When I visited Nigeria at the end of 2004, I traveled to Oke Ila-Orangun for the Chieftaincy installation of an elderly friend of mine, Dr. (Chief) Olushola Dada, who hails from the area. The road was impassable, immediately after leaving the boundary of Ila-Orangun. To describe the thirteen mile road as full of pot holes is the highest form of compliment anyone could give on the condition of that road. This was December 2004, and former Governor Bisi Akande has concluded a four year term at that point in time. The explanation offered by those who were privy to the workings of his(Chief Akande’s) inner mind then was that the people of Ifedayo Local Government area did not vote for him!

Every time, before and during this visit when I had to go to Oshogbo from Ibadan, I could not pass through Iwo because of the bad condition of the road. Going to Oshogbo through Iwo is the shortest route from Ibadan, but it has been abandoned for years by users for obvious reasons. I could not use Gbongan/Ode-Omu link to the Ife-Ibadan expressway either because the condition of that road was also bad. I had to go to Ilesha from Ibadan to link Oshogbo. It was expensive, time consuming, energy sapping and exhausting. It was traumatic.

I went back through the same road to see the late Kabiyesi, Oba Adeyemi Arojojoye, the Orangun of Oke-Ila Orangun in May 2005 and the pot holes have disappeared. The road was completely rehabilitated and this was being done up to the boundary of Osun and Kwara States. At this point in time, Governor Oyinlola was just about twleve months in office. I really did appreciate this change, but I refused to be taken in because I thought this was one of those political gimmickries that politicians of all genres usually engage in. I had believed that by midway to his term the momentum would have ran out and it would be business as usual.

But governor Oyinlola has convinced me that he is “for real” like the Americans would say. His is a “government of the people by the people and for the people” in the real sense of it. He has demonstrated that it is not just enough to have good intentions like Baba Iyabo. Unlike Baba Iyabo who does not seem able to make anything out of his good intentions, Governor Oyilola has been able to follow up with concrete actions. In the area of roads which I considered to be one of the most important elements of economic development, Governor Oyinlola has given Osun State and its people something to be happy about.

In this area, he has completed Gbongan-Odeyinka-Orile Owu road; Ifewara- Faforiji-Olode road; Iwo-Obamoro-Ikonifin-Ife Odan road; Gbongan-Ile Ogbo road; Oshogbo-Iwo road; Ikire Odeyinka road; Ila Orangun – Ora- Kwara state road; Iree-Ada road; Ifetedo-Oniperegun road; Iresi-Ajaba road; dualization of some roads on Oshogbo to make it look like a befitting seat of government among many others that space will not allow. This is not hear say. I traveled on these roads myself and I am very impressed.

In the area of education, Governor Oyinlola made deliberate efforts to improve the physical and academic conditions of the state’s tertiary, secondary and primary institutions in Osun state. Osun State Colleges of Education at Ilesha and Ila Orangun were computerized. Elementary and secondary schools were rehabilitated. He rehired all the teachers dismissed by former Governor Akande. He has not missed any salary of any teacher in the state in almost four years he has been in the office. He provided vehicle loans to 783 primary school teachers, 888 secondary school teachers and 2,643 civil servants in the state.

Governor Oyinlola’s Poverty Alleviation Programme has been executed doggedly. His government employed 1,070 school leavers into the Osun State Agricultural Youth Empowerment Scheme;  granted 100million naira interest-free loan facility to farmers in the state; purchased  and distributed 120 buses to transporters on interest free loan basis; purchased and distributed 730 motorcycles for commercial motor cycle operators on interest free loan basis; purchased and distributed 380grinding machines to women in the rural parts of the state and recruited 2,500 graduates into a 2 year Corp Scheme as a bridge gap between Youth Service   and real employment.

Governor Oyinlola administration has procured and distributed about a quarter of a million drugs to hosipitals for his free health programme. The administration has however taken a step further in this direction by appreciating that it was not just good enough to buy drugs and distribute to those in need through the government free health programme. Thus it is presently embarked on the construction of a drug manufacturing company in Oshogbo. So many of the health institutions are being rehabilitated and equipped to be able to deliver effective health services to the people.  He purchased 31 ambulances distributed to all local government areas in the state. More nurses are being employed in the service of the state than at any point in the state history.

Through this Oyinlola experience in Osun State, I have been able to once again confirm the truism of our common refrain in my days with the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations that “it is easy to sell a good product.” The Osun people have been a very happy people in the last four years. You do not need to go too far to notice this. On the streets, in the market places, during weddings, burials or any ceremony, everyone is talking about Olagunsoye Oyinlola’s government. Almost every segment of the state has felt the impact of Oyinlola’s administration.

The Obas have never had it so good and their peoples are happy and appreciative. The transporters are able to identify with this administration. The teachers are having the best of times and enjoying some new level of respect. The civil servants have stopped complaining about unpaid salaries and bonuses. The farmers are receiving the help they need. The nurses have regained their professional pride.

During one of my discussions with Kabiyesi, His Royal Excellency, Oba Adekunle Aromolaran, the Owa Obokun Adimula of Ijeshaland, he observed that Governor Oyinlola has shown respect for tradition and traditional rulers. “It is not difficult to know when someone has been properly brought up. He is a good ambassador of his family and his people. He is a source of pride to all of us in Osun State. We have every reason to show him off to other states in the country.”

During my visit to Nigeria in 2004, I had gone to see my father-in-law, Pa Adegboye Olagunju, who is a prince from Otan- Aiyegbaju. He told me he was on his way to Otan-Aiyegabaju for the installation of the new Owa of Otan-Ayegbaju. He was very happy because according to him “justice and fairness have prevailed at last.” To appreciate the happiness of my father-in- law, it would be pertinent to reveal that there has been controversy over the rightful succession to this throne for about twenty-two years before Prince Oyinlola came to be the governor. We have had governors in Oyo State and later Osun state during those years and none of those governors deemed it fit to do the right thing for the people of Otan-Aiyegbaju.

I was at Otan-Aiyegaju on the day of installation of Oba Oyinlola Okeyode Olasuka II, the new Owa of Otan-Aiyegbaju. You could see that the people were relieved. They were satisfied and happy. They were and still are grateful for what Governor Oyinlola did for them. They were particularly impressed that he listened to all parties; that he paid attention to their yearnings and concerns and eventually allowed justice to prevail. This is the same way Governor Oyinlola handled all the chieftaincy tussles in all parts of the state.

The late Kabiyesi Arojojoye was effusive about his praises for Governor Oyinlola. He called my attention to the fact that the governor “will live long and grow old in dignity” because his “handiwork will pray for him.”

Without any doubt, there are some areas in which I believe that the energetic governor could still use a lot of improvement especially in aspects of education, agriculture, health as well as youth and social development. But going through the quality and quantity of what he has done within the last three and half years, I am willing to concede that he has done very well for that span of time.

The best evidence of good rulership is the quality of lives of the people. You go into any gathering and you talk about Governor Oyinlola and the faces of those in the gathering light up. It is a big difference and a long way from the days when a governor’s name would be mentioned and there would be hisses in response.

We have had governors who acted like drunken emperors. We have had those who did not believe that they ought to be accountable. We have had those who disrespected our traditional fathers. We have had those who got wealthy why the teacher’s and civil servants never got paid their salaries for months. We had governors who did not believe that education is a worthy investment despite our long tradition of reverence for education.

Our people have suffered for too long. Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola is a welcome reprieve especially in this Obasanjo created season of anomie.  Our people have waited too long to have a leader like Oyinlola who really cares about their welfare. Oyinlola’s coming is a replenishment of our “Living Spring” in Osun State. His era is that of a revolution in Osun State!

If it is true that Governor Oyinlola wants second term as governor of Osun State, he will definitely have my support. I will be prepared to go to Nigeria to campaign for him not just because it is very easy to sell a good product which he is, but because he has earned it through his hard work, his love, care and commitment to the welfare of the people of Osun State . Yes, for the first time in my life, I will be investing in the candidacy of a governorship aspirant. If Oyinlola is good for my people, definitely, he is good enough for me. May Oodua continue to guide him. Ase.

Robot  Villager

# 1 “It’s not har...Read the full article. Posted by Robot| 03.06.2006 01:42

Akinbola  Villager

# 2 What kind of cheap publicity is this? What is Mr Oyeyemi hoping to achieve with this article? Second term for Oyinlola? Absolutely RUBBISH!.We have had enough of all these military guys, or is it that we do not have capable civilians or what? Abeg, enough of all these.......Oyinlola should just return to his Okuku village. Posted by Akinbola| 03.06.2006 03:51

unregister

# 3 Oyin-ni-o! I SUPPORT THE MOTION. To Akinbola, eggs are eggs but some are rotten. True we don't want ex-dictators back, but Oyinlola is an exception. Do what suits you in your state but don't IMPOSE Ex-Dictator on the whole of Federal Republic of Nigeria. That is the point. Each serving Gov should be evaluated on his merits but the people should not hesitate to dump at election a non-performing Gov as they did in 2003. Now I concede, something good can indeed cme out of an Oyeyemi! Posted by unregister| 03.06.2006 11:44

DoubleWahala  Villager

# 4 I hope NVS will NOT be turned into a vast electronic canvass of sorts, to be used for nascent political campaigns! The campaigns for the upcoming elections will be conducted more comprehensively; unlike 1999, or even '03, the internet will be heavily relied upon in seeking to shape opinions and perceptions. I hope the owners/administrators of our dear website will not unwittingly allow this to happen. This article is, unabashedly, cheap and undiluted publicity, and an undisguised political campaign of sorts! DoubleWahala Posted by DoubleWahala| 03.06.2006 11:48

Free Publius  Villager

# 5 Isnt this the same Oyeyemi who took up a position with the illegal regime in Oyo State? Some of these fools lie so often they begin to believe their own fallacy? Does he think he still has any credibility within the NVS community? Mr Oyeyemi, the likes of you are better off spending some of the blood money they gave you to BUY ads in the local paper for nonsense like this. And why didnt you sign the article as the Information Officer for Oyo State? Or are you afraid people may remember your dalliances with ignominy? Please continue to keep company with illegals like yourself. NVS administrators should do a better job of filtering this kind of nonsense. Free Publius Posted by Free Publius| 03.06.2006 12:25

N.A.R.  Villager

# 6 I hope NVS will NOT be turned into a vast electronic canvass of sorts, to be used for nascent political campaigns! The campaigns for the upcoming elections will be conducted more comprehensively; unlike 1999, or even '03, the internet will be heavily relied upon in seeking to shape opinions and perceptions. I hope the owners/administrators of our dear website will not unwittingly allow this to happen. This article is, unabashedly, cheap and undiluted publicity, and an undisguised political campaign of sorts! DoubleWahala Double Wahala, You raise a good and important point. But remember, NVS is a free community based information internet portal. it is not affiliated not paid for by any singular party to the best of my knowledge. So we would basically be accepting all views and opinions from all people including non-Nigerians! You are correct that many politicians are probably going to use NVS as an instrument to make their views, aspirations and positions known, and campaingn especially to us in diaspora. I see nothing wrong with that. What I feel is important and we have maintained is the opportunity of all members and non members to make comments and challenge what has been written on the webiste. If Oyeyemi's article appears to be a publicity piece for Gov. Oyinlola for 2007, then its is the responsibility of any induvidual who disagrees with Mr. Oyeyemi to also make their views known! For example, you could invite and ask for independent reporters like Shararareporters.com and Elendu reports (who in my opinion are actually in reality not unbiased) to dig into the claims of Mr. Oyeyemi, or you can ask other Osun state residents to confirm or dispell what Mr. Oyeyemi has said. So far, I see nothing wrong with what Mr. Oyeyemi has written he is excercising his right to free speech. Wouldn't you agree? I personally did not think that Gov. Oyinlola did a good job as the then adminstrator of Lagos state, but maybe that was too much of a big fish for him. Osun may be the right size for him to shocase his leadership skills. But its only Osun residents that can confirm or dispell the progress written above. Do note that Mr. Oyeyemi has been quite detailed with his article, sounds to me like he had some inside information! :) Posted by N.A.R.| 03.06.2006 14:05

DoubleWahala  Villager

# 7 @ NAR Your observations have some merit. However, at what point does free speech become carte blanche for undisguised political campaigns? The attraction NVS holds for me (and you too, i'm sure) is that it is a "marketplace of ideas", not propaganda. Whilst i have nothing against anyone that may seek to advance his political cause, if a preponderance of the articles at NVS start becoming blatant articles of propanganda (in view of the upcoming elections), i'm almost positive that obviously intellectually articulate folks like you (and many others, too) would start to become wary. The level of earnest and intelligent discourse may diminish, as a direct result of that. That cannot be good for our dear NVS, which we have all come to treasure so much. In principle, however, i agree with your basic premise that one can always offer a rebuttal of a piece one disagrees with. DoubleWahala Posted by DoubleWahala| 03.06.2006 14:56

Akinbola  Villager

# 8 @N.A.R....you said, "I personally did not think that Gov. Oyinlola did a good job as the then adminstrator of Lagos state, but maybe that was too much of a big fish for him. Osun may be the right size for him to shocase his leadership skills. But its only Osun residents that can confirm or dispell the progress written above. Do note that Mr. Oyeyemi has been quite detailed with his article, sounds to me like he had some inside information"! Leadership skills my foot. HABA! do you think people are fools? As it is, Osun state may appear to people as a very small state without resources, however, there hasn't been any change whatsoever since Gov. Oyinlola assumed office. The then Gov.Akande, even tried his best and left the scene for a new regime!why cant Oyinlola do the same thing? Even allthese road construction Oyeyemi is talking about were all Akandes unfinished job! The way i see it, Oyeyemi is only campainging for him, and i tell you this is not going to work. Give another man the opportunity to rule. If people like Oyeyemi thinks it is only one man that can effect chaanges, then he's got a lot of thinking and re-orientation coming his way. Posted by Akinbola| 03.06.2006 15:03

Root	# 9 Abi Oyinola Don start to dey hide cash for in mouth? Na wetin the pic fit mean ooh... Posted by Root| 03.06.2006 17:35

Bayo

# 10 "...To Akinbola, eggs are eggs but some are rotten. True we don't want ex-dictators back, but Oyinlola is an exception. Do what suits you in your state but don't IMPOSE Ex-Dictator on the whole of Federal Republic of Nigeria. That is the point. Each serving Gov should be evaluated on his merits but the people should not hesitate to dump at election a non-performing Gov as they did in 2003. Now I concede, something good can indeed cme out of an Oyeyemi!..." Unregister...na wah for you oh! It's like you're always reading my mind....what's going on? I have never, for once, liked anything written by Remi. Right from his inglorious days at nigerianworld where he would insult people who are old enough to be his grandfather...in the name of holding an argument, I never liked his style more so, as he calls himself a Yoruba. It was so terrible that a friend of mine had to take him up on his pride at being a Yoruba because a well-bred Yoruba must always distinguish him/herself at every fora by the respectful manner he relates with his/her elders. My frriend even had to ask him if he called his father (the older Oyeyemi), a fool whenever they had an argument? But this article and the one he wrote sometimes ago were after my heart. I'm neither a close person to Oyinlola nor am I a PDP member but the last time I visited nigeria and passed through Osun State, I couldn't help but wonder at an irony of life. Although he was my oga, I'll still say that here is Oyinlola that messed up terribly in Lagos. But to see all the wonderful thing he is doing in Osun State was (is) akin to a miracle. is this the way some people change for the better? This is all the more reason why we must be careful as a people to write everyone off just because of their antecedents as military men. To guys like Akinbola above this thread, I'll say get over your past issues! Why MUST some of you guys always insist on living your lives on old cliches and platitudes. These are guys who are perpetually trapped in the past. They close their eyes to every good thing all because such good things emanate from those whose faces they hate! It's the same people that will insist on being blind to everything Obasanjo does...good or bad. They will also close their eyes to any good thing that comes from an ex-military man all because that person was "unfortunate" to have been a military man! What a dreadful existence! But ask them who they think will do better and they will be mentioning the names of some individuals who have NEVER been tested in public admin. All they have to their names are noise-making and posturings. But must we forever experiment with wolves in sheep clothings? Posted by Bayo| 03.06.2006 18:07

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