A Good Leader Must Listen to the People, Says Oyetola

Osun State Governor, Mr. Adegboyega Oyetola, declared, Thursday, that good governance entails listening to the people, feeling the pulse of the common man on the street, and assess their needs first hand.

This realisation, he said, was what propelled him to embark on a Thank-You tour of the state after his election as governor in 2018. And he has never distanced himself from the people ever since.

Governor Oyetola revealed this in a message he sent through his deputy, Mr. Benedict Alabi, to flag off a two-day roundtable summit on the review of some of the extant policies on education in the state, which, he added, was being done with a view to strengthening the sector.

Oyetola, through his deputy, disclosed that the roundtable is in furtherance of the Oyetola Administration’s promise to run an all-inclusive government that is based on the people’s yearnings and needs.

It will be recalled that right after he was sworn in, the governor embarked on a thank-you tour to appreciate the citizens of the state’s support for him at the 2018 polls. The UK-DFID backed Citizens’ Needs Assessment also revealed that the people were dissatisfied with certain aspects of the state’s education policy.

According to the governor, “I believe good governance is about listening to the people who elected you and running a participatory system. That was what informed the Thank-you tour I embarked on after the election in 2018; to feel the pulse of the citizens and assess their needs. We found out that there were aspects of the state education policy that they want removed, adjusted or improved upon. The DFID Citizens Needs Assessment also revealed that there are areas in our education policies that need to the strengthened.

“This is why we have lined up the tested and proven hands in education in Nigeria here today to take a critical look at what we have and advise us on how to meet the needs of the people of Osun. As Aristotle said, ‘the roots of education are bitter but the fruit is sweet.’   We are prepared to do what will improve the lots of our people and protect the future of our children.

The governor also revealed that the two-day summit was also in response to the 26 issues raised in the Executive Council Memorandum presented by the Commissioner for Education and Special Adviser to the Governor on Education.

“It is important to let you know that “In the interest of the generality of our people and in the spirit of democracy, I directed that all the 26 issues raised in the Executive Council Memorandum be discussed extensively and dispassionately with a view to arriving at informed decisions on every issue.

“While some of the issues were unanimously agreed upon, twelve (12) other issues were referred to this Consultative Forum dedicated to addressing and making recommendations on the issues,” Governor Oyetola added.

The Governor said he had no doubt that the forum would generate useful suggestions and recommendations, considering the high pedigree and integrity of the Chairman and members.

The 11-man committee is chaired by Professor Olu Aina, former Registrar/Chief Executive, National Business and Technical Examinations Board, NABTEB. Others are General Alani Akinrinade (Rtd), Prof Yemisi Obilade, Harvard-trained educationist and former Vice Chancelor of Tai Solarin University of Education, Prof Pai Obanya, Emeritus Professor in the Institute of Education, University of Ibadan, Professor Ibidapo Obe, former Vice Chancellor, University of Lagos, Dr Iyi Uwadiae, immediate past Registrar of the West African Examinations Council, Prof Adeyemi, Mr Akinropo Emmanuel, Mrs, M.o Aluko-Olokun, Mr Wakeel Ayinde and Mr Folorunso Alao

The Consultative committee is expected to submit its report to the governor after their deliberations.