Oyo State governor, ‘Seyi Makinde, has tasked Nigerians to embrace attitudinal change towards politics and governance, noting that it will only take the participation of the majority to realise the Nigeria of their dream.
He urged Nigerians to pay more than a cursory attention to politics and be actively involved in participatory politics in order to effect the desired positive change.
This was as Governor Makinde also said Nigerians needed to leave their comfort zone and work towards helping Nigeria to realise her potentials and become a great country.
The governor stated these at the 70th birthday celebrations of Rev. (Dr) Moses and Pastor (Mrs) Funmilayo Aransiola and their 50 years in the Ministry, held at the International Conference Centre, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, on Friday.
Makinde said: “Some say it is the political leadership that is the problem, but do the leaders come from heaven?
“If you don’t participate in politics, you will get the kind of leaders that you deserve. But if you participate, then, we have a chance to keep bringing up the good people.
“When I decided that I would contest in this space, a lot of people asked if I was out of my mind. That’s the risk inherent in politics.
“A lot of us don’t want to go into that very dirty environment. We don’t want to go into politics because we don’t want to get stained. And if we complain about leadership, it only means we have not played our part.
“So, please join politics and let people call us names together. But we will begin to sanitise the leadership process and, over time, we will get to where we are going.”
Makinde said the country’s current challenges would not become history until all Nigerians are committed to changing its narrative, adding that wishing for a change without working for its realisation would only end in frustration.
The governor said: “I have heard that Nigeria would be great. Yes, I have the vision as well but we all have to leave our comfort zones and contribute.
“People may think things cannot continue as they are for the next 100 years, where we are just moving from one problem to the other, focusing on the wrong things. Truth is, they can continue for the next 100 years because I have seen it happen.”
Governor Makinde cited the example of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), which has been embroiled in series of crises for over 60 years.
He emphasised the need for the country to be productive, saying Nigeria’s huge endowment of natural resources would not translate into economic prosperity without the country taking productivity seriously.
Makinde also made a case for giving leadership opportunities to young people, saying he remained the youngest democratically-elected governor of Oyo State, though he was elected when he 51 years old.
“After I became the governor, I also produced the youngest Speaker in the history of Oyo State and he is currently Chairman of Conference of Speakers in Nigeria. So, I will support the not-too-young-to-lead agenda fully,” he said.
Makinde congratulated the celebrants on the attainment of the milestone age of 70 years in sound health, and acknowledged the impact of their ministry.
The governor thereafter prayed for long life, good health, continuous impact and enlargement in their work for God.
Also in his remarks, a former governor of Ondo State, Dr Segun Mimiko, called for the restructuring of the country, stressing that the current structure of the country would continue to keep both the people and the country down.
Earlier in his remarks, Guest Speaker, Professor Mike Ozekhome SAN, in his lecture titled “Nigeria, From Where Comes Our Help”, said insecurity, banditry, wastage and leakages in government were problems hindering the growth of Nigeria.
He commended Governor Makinde for the security architecture emplaced in the state, especially the establishment of Amotekun Corps to protect lives and properties of the citizens.
Professor Ozekhome also called for the restructuring of the country.
In attendance at the event were Ekiti State governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji, represented by the state Head of Service; top Oyo State Government functionaries, traditional rulers, religious leaders and captains of industry, among other dignitaries.
