PLANNED FIRST ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION OF APC GOVERNMENT IN ONDO STATE, A WASTEFULNESS CUM CLUELESSNESS OF A GOVERNMENT- AROSOYE AYOKUNLE

Arakunrin Akeredolu Oluwarotimi Odunayo (SAN),
The Executive Governor of Ondo State,
Governor's Office,
Alagbaka,
Akure.
9th January, 2018.

Sir,
   
PLANNED FIRST ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION OF APC GOVERNMENT IN ONDO STATE: MY REFLECTIONS ON THE WASTEFULNESS CUM CLUELESSNESS OF A GOVERNMENT.

For record purpose, I want to join the good people of Ondo State and all well wishers to congratulate you, in advance, for a relatively peaceful and “successful” one year in office.

Sir, I understand that uneasy lies the head that wears the crown; the task is herculean, no doubt, and of course, it is a thing of joy to celebrate. However, in my private reflections, I have asked myself exactly what the government wants to celebrate or commission; perhaps, I am oblivious of the feats of the government and her worthy completed project(s) so far.
Suffice to say the celebration might have been in order if there is really anything to celebrate or commission. Perhaps, the celebration is based on the fact that the State government have succeeded in adding to the woes of her citizens via the unheroic and astronomic increment of tuition fees of all the State owned tertiary institutions, widespread unemployment, refusal to promote deserving civil servants, abolishment of WAEC fees, bursaries and scholarships, amongst others. Is it the flowers planted at NEPA Roundabout in Akure, the graded dusty roads across the State, or the moribund Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo that have being running a session for almost two years without a definite time to ending it? I sincerely wish  to know of any major project the government has embarked upon in the last one year that is worth commissioning. This, I consider a mockery of the the sensibilities of the citizens of this state.

I am not unaware that the last government left behind a huge debt (as claimed) and the current budget was prepared by the last regime; thus, I see no reason why Mr Governor should falsely want to impress the people with this charade. The resources that will be wasted on logistics, production of Invitation Cards, accommodation and feeding of guests, mobilization  and demobilisation, etc, can be put to better use e.g. payment of WAEC fees, which would serve as a better infrastructure  to safeguard the future of this State.
I make bold to say that the paucity of funds lamented by the State government is deceptive if it could deem it fit to plan such an elaborate (with a 31 member committee?) one year celebration given the present hardship and economic realities.

Mr Governor Sir, permit me, to at this point, out of my own little wisdom, advise you to turn deaf hears to sycophants; live up to the campaign chants of 'true' CHANGE (THINK ANEW, ACT ANEW), and thread the path of honour by not wasting taxpayers money on frivolities.
I will suggest that if there is going to be any celebration, Mr Governor should;

1. use the first day i.e. Monday, 19th February to, via all available media, address the citizens of the State. Apologise for the shortcomings of the government and ask for patience to consolidate on the 2018 budget currently before the Ondo State House of Assembly;

2. if there is any project at all to commission, let one day each be allotted to each of the 3 senatorial districts for project touring and commissioning (i.e. Tuesday, 20th February - Thursday, 22nd February) in the presence of only willing well wishers and party faithfuls;

3. fix thanksgivings for Friday, 23rd February (Mosque) and Sunday, 25th February (Church).

In all, the most important thing is presence of pressmen. I strongly believe that doing these will save the government a lot of stress and cost (which is the target).

If we must Act Anew, it becomes pertinent for us to Think Anew.

Without much ado, Sir, I pray you deeply look into these, as I believe it will save you a lot of embarrassment and save the State a lot of taxpayers money.

I wish the government nothing but a peaceful, productive and successful tenure.

God bless Ondo State!

Sincerely,

Arosoye Ayokunle S. (KASPA)
House No 2, Adegbaye Street, Okedogbon, Ogho.