I always thought the last I would see of Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola comedy
skills is his appearing in various school uniforms with matching
knee-length socks and long-faced shoes; alas I was wrong. Here is a
governor who constantly makes a mockery of not only his office but also
his 'blind' and sentimental followers. The worst hit by his latest
actions are the workers of Osun state, whom I feel no pity for. Theirs
is a classic case of “the people getting a government they deserve”. The
people of Osun state(civil servants inclusive) reelected this man and
even celebrated his victory(even when it was obvious he didn't wish them
well); I hope by the time the show is offer, they won't be tales of
workers dying of starvation.
Prior to his reelection in August 2014, the government of Osun state was
unable to pay salaries(but spent billions on campaigns and financing of
thugs for 'election duties'). The excuse then was that the Jonathan led
government was deliberately withholding funds meant for opposition
states - the truth is gradually coming to fore. How he pulled one over
the Osun state workforce remains a mystery(when one considers how the
PDP has been rejected by the workforce in Benue and Kogi states over the
same issue); most surprising is that the people of Osun never
considered that any government which cannot pay salaries in an election
year is most likely to owe many more months after election. The fruits
of their naivety is what they are reaping.
In 2013, Ogbeni came up with Opon Imo. Whoever sold the idea to him is a
'genius' and deserves commendation for not only conning his excellency
but for also exposing the mental capacity of our social media
intellectuals who hyped the scam and could not see the project was a
channel to embezzle funds and (as time has revealed) was 'dead on
arrival' - largely due to approach,implementation and MOTIVE.
N8,300,000,000 was spent on the first 50,000 pieces. This amount spent
on each 50,000 pieces of the Opon Imo(if there ever was another set)
would have taken the abandoned projects in Osun state to a reasonable
level of completion but baba was much more interested in 'cornering'
money for his reelection. So obvious was the Opon Imo scam that the Late
Senator Uche Chukwumerije withdrew his earlier endorsement of the
project. The questions then are: How many of this device have been
delivered after 2 years? Where is the money budgeted for it? Wouldn't
the money be useful in this of starvation(for the Osun workers).
Recently it has been widely reported that the Osun state government
intends to stop the feeding program(Omeal). Reports have it that “the
state government is also planning a review of the state's free health
program for children and the elderly and may recommend that parents be
made to pay a little levy for each child in school”. The questions that
arise from the above are: a) Where these projects not well thought-out
and planned for before implementation? b) Where the projects meant to be
mere political projects to deceive the osun electorates into
re-electing ogbeni? If it was, it worked perfectly. I read a comment
from someone which suggested that the reason governor Aregbesola intends
to stop the free meals because the incoming federal government of his
party intends to replicate same across the country - how laughable.
Despite the many troubles at home,governor Aregbesola is still fingered
in the Ekiti impeachment debacle knowing his antecedents this is easily
believable. The man is an entertainer indeed! With uncompleted projects
like roads and the much hyped ultra modern school building etc all
abandoned, that ogbeni still has money to spend on frivolities is to say
the least befuddling. What a man!
While the workers of Osun state mourn and look to the heavens, I hope
the comedian listens to their pleas and saves them from starvation soon.
In the event he does not, at least the lesson would be learnt “all that
glitters is not gold”. If this continues for another 4 months, the
number of workers that will survive I know not but one thing I know, the
people(workers) will be a lot wiser(even more) than their colleagues in
Benue,Kogi,Rivers etc. Till then I wish the Osun people well. May these
6 months of penury be over soonest and may Osun state not experience
this kind of dry jokes ever again!
Enenim Ubon tweets from @EnenimUbon
Wen u use ur brilliance to write things lik dis it amuses me. I served in Osun 2013-2014 & can say boldly dat Aregbesola is 1 of d best govs dis country has produced. Dis is a govt dat receives a meager 4.2 billion naira allocation. Ask a common man or boy in d streets of Osun about how dat state was bfor ogbeni took over, then only wil u knw dat dis ur publication holds no water. I wil say it again, Eminem u r a smart & intelligent dude, use dis gift 4 sumfin creative.
ReplyDeleteMr man what i do with my life and myself is non of your business. What ever i write is entirely my prerogative and you have a choice not to read same. Go back to osun and ask that best governor of yours when last he paid salaries. With the same meager resources Enugu is not owing salaries. Maybe if you had civil servants as parents in that state, you would have been able to see things clearly - i understand. Take your partisanship elsewhere or better still make your findings before you try to shut others up.
ReplyDeleteHuman beings always never see the speck in their eyes. I belive it is outward foolishness to leave discussing the issues to decend to insult. News is what the editor says it is and nothing more pretentious. Enenim is writin from his view and he information available to him. Essien write your view discuss facts.
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