From Bode Durojaiye, Oyo.
The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi, has urged Nigerians not to be unnecessarily apprehensive about the present administration, saying the era of oligarchy and corruption-ridden governance with contents of the National Anthem and pledge being turned into mere nominal mouthing has gone for good.
Oba Adeyemi made this assurance in a chat with journalists on Friday shortly after taking delivery and inspection of a mobile hospital van donated by two indigenes of Oyo, Honourable Bode Esuola and his wife, Dr. Anu, both resident in Maryland, the United States (U.S.).
Dr. Anu Esuola is a commissioner in the office of the Governor of Maryland, U.S., Commission on African Affairs, while her husband is the Executive Director of the mission.
They recently provided a thee-day free medical services to residents of Oyo metropolis, as part of the family’s contribution to the development of their country home, in honour of the Alaafin and in commemoration of the just- concluded annual Oranyan festival.
About 20 medical and health personnel from the U.S. comprising of surgeons, dentists and opthalmologists were involved in the exercise.
Alaafin said positive development in good governance and
accountability being witnessed presently in Nigeria is serving as a beacon of hope for the rest of the citizens of the West African sub-continent in particular and Africa in general.
“Until recently, lack of transparency, probity, and accountability in Nigeria translates into a pandemic across the sub-region and the continent as a vacuum is created by the absence of effective Nigerian leadership. President Buhari’s victory which was a victory of hope and
transformation will translate into the beginning of a new renaissance in the sub-region and the whole of the African continent for a new democracy in which wanton corruption, abuse of power, lack of transparency in governance, deceit of the citizenry, ineptitude, ethnicity and impunity were orders of the day.’’
The paramount ruler asserted that changing a government under which the mass of ordinary people were unnecessarily and needlessly burdened over the years under the yoke of massive and pervasive corruption, deliberate oligarchic mismanagement of abundant natural resources, party political and ethnic cronyism and abject ineptitude peacefully
through the ballot box is a feat worthy of emulation by other citizens of the West African sub-continent in particular and Africa in general.
“The track record of the President and his unassailable commitment to democratic processes since Constitutional governance in Nigeria in 1999 gives hope that under his leadership, Nigeria will once more instil the values of good, and accountable governance not only in Nigeria but will also be an advocate for those values and norms in the West African sub-region and the continent at large’’.
While praying Allah to guide and guard President Muhammadu Buhari and the people of the country in the difficult task of honest and accountable governance that lies ahead, Oba Adeyemi was of the conviction that the integrity and honesty as well as a never-give up attitude of the President to a positive cause would prevail throughout
his term and empower like-minded leaders on the African continent to emulate and follow such shining path.
“May the President use his wisdom and diligence to carry along all Nigerians, including those who did not vote for him, in order to achieve the common purpose of rebuilding a strong, motivated and united country that will demonstrate the expected leadership on the African continent.’’
