By Sunday Ogunkuade
The Oyo State governor, Engineer Seyi Makinde is not likely to forget, in a hurry, his visit to the ancient town of Ogbomoso on Friday, October 7, 2022. He was at the Christian wake-keep for the burial of Mama Esther Dunmade Adegboyega Adeyemi Adegbite, JP (née Akinboro) at Ori-Oke Baptist Church, Apake, Ogbomoso. As a matter of fact, HE Makinde’s visit to Ogbomoso was timely and welcome due to the fact that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has just lifted ban on the political campaign in the country a couple of days before the first class burial ceremony of Mama Dunmade Esther Adegboyega, which shook the whole of Ogbomoso and attracted the crème de la crème in the society to the town. The traffic jam caused by the crowd that thronged the streets of Ogbomoso for the burial ceremony was the first sign that history was being made.
In fact, the roads leading to Ori-Oke Baptist Church had been filled with people. The sea of heads at the church and the shout of: “GSM Lekan si”, “GSM 4+4 = 8” from virtually every lip underlined the massive support that the people of Ogbomoso have for Makinde’s government. Perhaps, this explains why governor Makinde, in his address, thanked the people of Ogbomoso for their love and support for his governance.
The governor, thereafter, commiserate with the children of Mama Esther Dunmade Adegboyega Adeyemi Adegbite. At the same time, he commended the late mother for her sweat of labour to make the children what they are today through the grace of God. He said, our gathering here today was as a result of Mama Adegboyega’s hard work. Makinde didn’t hides his feelings to let the gathering know that he has no regret working with Engineer Adegbola Isaac Adegboyega, one of Mama Dunmade’s children. He left no one in doubt of Adegbola’s relationship with him; his intelligent and other attributes. He said, Adegbola is trustworthy and dependable individual, who is absolutely committed to any company assignment given to him. What a good reputation!
Consequently, after the usual protocols, Makinde started: ” … even though, we’re in the campaign season, we’re busy moving around. But, I must attend this burial programme; I must come to Ogbomoso to personally witness the ongoing developmental projects of our administration.” The governor stressed further, “In 2015 and 2019, when I came to Ogbomoso for campaign, things were not like these. Meanwhile, the development I met on ground today makes me happy because it shows that we’re moving forward. Also, for our government to successfully claimed the sole ownership of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH) is another achievement because it brought development to Ogbomoso due to the expansion of the town economy.” However, the governor lamented his stressful trip when coming from Ibadan to Ogbomoso due to the poor state of Oyo/Ogbomoso road. He then assured the people of Ogbomoso of the alternative road of Ibadan-Iseyin-Ogbomoso that his administration is creating which will soon be completed so that people can bypass the old road of Oyo/Ogbomoso.
Pointedly speaking, Makinde has shifted the Oyo State political paradigm. The import of this is that the people have acknowledged the fact that they appreciate and support Makinde’s government.
Let all stakeholders in politics and governance in Oyo State wake up to the reality of the birth of developmental politics and era of intellectualism in governance. The Omi Tuntun’s progressive train is on the move around the state. If you are not on board yet, join at the next station, no ticket needed, just a mind shift.
The array of guests at the event included the Lord Spiritual and the Lord temporal, Captains of industry, the political class, academics, royal fathers and other notable dignitaries. In fact, many people at the event had come to give last respect to the late woman for whom her children are distinguished in their respective careers. Meanwhile, the Minister-in-charge of the church, Rev’d Dr. Emmanuel Oladejo after his sermon acknowledged the presence of governor Makinde and prayed for the continuity of his good governance. Thereafter, Rev’d Oladejo appreciate the governor on behalf of the church for the brand new commuter bus given to Ori-Oke Baptist Church. There was also special prayer for the children, grandchildren and the extended family of late Mama Esther Dunmade Adegboyega Adeyemi Adegbite.
Ogunkuade could be reached on
08036142877
Ogbomoso.