PanNigerianNews 
By Sayò ÀLÀGBÉ
There are several roads that lead to negotiation table. One of them is the diplomacy itself. As Old King Aito of the ancient Egypt once admonished: “Be diplomatic. It will help you gain your points.” History can testify that there is no substitute for result-oriented conversations.
Beyond reasonable doubt, it is a matter of recognition and appreciation of a personality or a chieftain who places highest premium on the welfare of the masses, most importantly on Oyo State working class and related salary earners in the state. There is this maxim: “Recognition of a bravery act activates more bravery acts. It equally goes in this manner: an expression of bravo increases the tempo of work and it stimulates more results. What am I driving at?
Without mincing words, the Executive Governor of Oyo State, Engineer Oluwaseyi Makinde, based on barometer and index of his performance, with benefits of insight and sincere observations cum analysis of his performance in the last four years, honestly deserves encouragements and accolades. And not the scenarios that have played out in the past couple of days between Oyo State wing of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) at Oyo State Government Secretariat and Oyo State Government.
It is quite unfortunate that the pace-setter state has been put to test by Oyo State NLC. Sadly, Oyo State NLC has failed to walk the paths of diplomacy which is the hallmark of educated, enlightened and civilised society. It is unfortunate to note that tantrums were thrown at him over a matter that calls for a round table discussion and settlement. That gave negative impressions about the pace-setter state.
The recent protest by the state chapter of NLC was obvious, imperative and necessary but taking it to the streets as reportedly claimed is not the best solution nor does it hold prospects. Rather, it is a negative history and history, too, would not forget.
The labour, based on the insights from opinions, should have threaded the path of peace, by booking an appointment with the Governor for round table negotiations and probably discussions. When this approach fails, then, the least could be expected on their paths. It is unwarranted, needless and it sounds as opposition rather than genuine interests on the welfare and the glory of moving Oyo State NLC forward.
There is no need to resort to the uproar and barricade the Oyo State Government
secretariat entrance to press home their demands. Two wrongs cannot make a right, if at all Governor Seyi Makinde has wronged them in one way or the other. It has been seen that in the absence of dialogue, monologue will definitely fill the space. At worse, violence lurks and emerges.
In retrospect, this is an avoidable situation that has been given the opportunity to cast Oyo State NLC and the administration of Gov. Makinde in bad light. Pathetic, it is obvious that this should have been prevented primarily due to the spirit of camaraderie that has been established for long between the labour and the Governor; as seen at the outset of his First term in office, till the commencement of his second term tenure.
Frankly, issues of these nature deserve amicable contexts that would end in peaceful resolution towards the reinforcement of peace, unity and future negotiations.
My public communication and intervention in defence of Engineer and Governor Seyi Makinde could be traced to the obvious and undisputable reasons that he is, indeed, one of the best performing Governors in Nigeria, with catalogue of records of achievements like public-oriented projects execution and implementation, prompt and regular payment of workers salaries and remunerations, among others. Governor Makinde is probably one of the last of the strong ones.
It is a common saying that he who asserts must prove. It is beyond flattery that Oyo State is fortunate to be blessed with a refined, peaceful, goal-oriented, progressive element, ebulliently gifted and super-intelligent Governor like Engineer Seyi Makinde – who has been applying his shrewdness and native intelligence to pilot the affairs of the state without a slide into the old patterns of a journey in a circle.
Moreover, the manners he ruled and rules Oyo State, with the fear of God to a safe haven during his first term in office extended to his second term in office calls for reflection and appreciation. That’s a mystery on its own. Notably, his second coming, no doubt, deserves our applause, considering the method with which he tackled the emergence of the dreadful COVID 19; which almost brought the world to its knees. Despite being a victim of the deadly disease himself, he took the bull by the horns and ensured Oyo State remained one of the states in Nigeria whose governor didn’t impose lockdown or curfew, but managed the situation intelligently. Kudos to Gov. Makinde. We should not forget this in hurry.
Remarkable is the fact that he fought with every means at his disposal to peacefully and meaningfully untied the joint ownership of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), between Oyo and Osun states to Oyo state owned university; followed by prompt reconstruction and asphaltic overlay of Under-G Road of the university. For ease of transportation and free movement of goods and commodities; he constructed Ogbomoso-lseyin road and several new and deplorable roads across Oyo State.
Similarly, Governor Makinde ensured the payment of backlog of retirement benefits of retirees, introduction and entrenchment of Operation Light-Up Oyo State, turning things around in Broadcasting Corporation of Oyo State (BCOS) by maximising the operational functions through the provision of set of state of art equipment under the midas touch of the egghead, Prince Dotun Oyelade, now Commissioner for information and Orientation, introduction of free education in both primary and secondary schools in Oyo State, implementation of 30,000 naira minimum wage, promotion of over 2000 civil servants, conversion of over l000 casual workers to regular service, establishment of alternative security through Àmòtékùn – for protection of lives and property of people of Oyo State to mention but a few.
Without exaggeration and fear of being challenged, Oyo State has never had it so bad under the admiration of Governor Seyi Makinde. It has always been success stories all the way! He has lived up to the expectations, oaths and tenets of office as the Executive Governor of Oyo State. The People’s Governor has accorded due respect to the traditional institution which comprises of obas and chiefs in the state, by being promptly informed on the running of the affairs of the State.
Before the hen comes home to roost, I have no doubt that Governor Seyi Makinde would perform much more better and will make Oyo State a cynosure of all eyes and a template worthy of emulation if he is allowed to execute his lawful duties in the atmosphere of peace and tranquility, which are the terrains of good governance and administration.
Summarily, l will like to urge Oyo State workers, under the aegis of Nigeria Labour Congress, Oyo State chapter, to embrace dialogue, by coming to negotiating table with our listening Gov. Seyi Makinde and sustains the cord of master-worker relationship with him as previously experienced. It is always a win-win situation. The cliche “it is better to jaw- jaw than to war war” comes in here.
Thank you and may God bless Oyo State.
Àlàgbé, a writer, journalist, media consultant, writes from Ogbomoso, Oyo State.
