It has been long you saw me, I apologise for my long absence in this phase of our political trajectory. If you have been close enough, you would notice I was away studying and putting energy into practice of different kinds of writing. But today, I would love to join the people in congratulating the newly- inaugurated cabinet members of Governor AbdulRazaq, and see if we can say a few things to aid them aid the state development or retrogression in less than four years time.
On many occasions that I have seen many of my brothers called for the inauguration of the state cabinet, their arguments have always been the same: to drive the social and economic plans of this administration. Now that their prayers were finally answered, albeit after seven months intermittent wait, I am unapologetic in borrowing the most prominent slang of the Nigerian Police officers,”Oga, wetin you carry come” while welcoming you into offices in my own way.
First and foremost, you are not lucky. I hope you get the statement beyond the surface. To become cabinet members of the government expected of miracles in achieving the change she preached for the next three years call for no cheers but sober reflection. There is neither room for excuse nor a saving grace for failure. By now I expected you to have handy a Success book detailing your personal objectives and goals in tandem with the assigned portfolio. This will aid tracking of progress. You cannot afford to use the years chasing the wind.
I am under no ruse Kwara will not remain the same after your tenure, it is just too early to call the form of development. This necessitates the need to never forget which side of history you will belong. There is no gainsaying the assurances of your place in the book of history today. But how you will be described eventually tomorrow, depending on your carriage on official duties, is left to you. Already there is a bottomless list of rogues, 419ers, sleazy and incompetent buffoons the state have had the misfortune of entrusting similar roles in the past. Characters, competence and sincerity are clear criteria to choosing a side. Good luck.
There is equally an imperial need for a ministry you manage to be transparent and accessible. This is a time in the history of Kwara state nothing is as valued as efficient two-way public communication. The best of you at the end of the day would be the one to master this expo quickly. The citizens should not be left to hazard guesses about your program and actions, they must be fed timely information to maintain trust and confidence.
Ovation for this government must be sustained but her prestige lie in your commitment to executing her anticipated policies, projects and programmes. No one should be under deception that the citizens would bathe one with endless love. Forget the inauguration charades, it is clear that these impatient Kwarans would begin critical assessment from Monday onward. Nothing would be more gratifying than to see Kwara sweet sixteen in healthy competition to develop the state from their individual end. That, of course, is different from a calling to be uncooperative with each other. Team spirit, coordination and compensation, no doubt, is a recipe for rapid growth and accomplishment.
Although you owe allegiance to the governor as your boss, the informed Kwara community should be seen as partners in progress. Time and again they would offer advice when due and knocks when you err. You are to listen to their suggestions for deliberation and take their condemnations in stride. I am afraid executing any policy without rallying necessary support will not help a bit. Therefore, in addition to having eyes to see your ears must also be on the ground.
Then, there is no further cause for delay. Governor AbdulRazaq should roll out the social and economic plans he has for the people now. Not that I believe the side talks about lack of economic blueprints, but hoping for longer than necessary weakens the soul’s resolve. Now that our sweet sixteen have been unveiled with distinct offices, each ministry should be brimming with developmental activities. There is no better way to compensate the people’s patience and trust in this administration so far than activating corporate governance o’clock. This is only possible with swift execution of long- awaited bite.
Meanwhile, I wish to appreciate the governor for injecting life into governance through the famous on-the-spot assessment style. Even the fiercest of his critics cannot say he has not shown the will to serve. But he would do well to gauge the public pulse, most especially the youth regarding transparency. I can only hope he take steps to assuage us of worries. There is a growing feeling of indifference in his open- governance mouthed approach amongst the youth because of the mysterious death of FOI bill in the state assembly. A section of the public also decry how KWIRS revenue records are no longer made public. I am optimistic something will be done soon to correct these trends.
Regardless of the willingness to serve and desire to effect change, only fool-proof action plans and policies built on transparency and accountability can transform Kwara into an educationally, economically and socially- developed state.
Before I go to return again, I wish to say by the first quarter of 2020 when this administration would be nearing a year, the yardstick for its measurement would depend largely on your inputs in the new offices. Therefore I shall continue relaying the people’s message to you to encourage and motivate you. The first of such correspondence is a billionaire question: Oga AbdulRahman and our Commissioners, wetin you carry come?
Ibraheem Abdullateef tweets @egghead_1995. He can be reach via email Ibraheemabdullateef09@gmail.com
