Hon Odebunmi: Return of MASTER

Hon Odebunmi: Return of MASTER

Femi OGUNLANA

With contribution by Kunle OYELEYE

The appointment of Hon Olusegun Dokun Odebunmi as the chairman of the Ogun-Osun River Basin Development Authority (O-ORBDA) by Nigeria’s President, Senator Bola Tinubu GCFR is cheering, The announcement, made yesterday, was received with enthusiasm and loud ovation especially among the people of his constituency and Ogbomoso generally. Even beyond there was spontaneous ecstasy as the news filtered into the media space. Various media houses reported it and celebrated the “man of the moment.”

It is not without reason, it only is a demonstration of the love people have for Hon Odebunmi a.k.a. Bunvic, a master in political strategy. He is a politician whose connection with the grassroots is superb, underscored by the outpouring of well-wishes upon the breaking of the recognition accorded him. On the surface, one will think what is the big deal about being appointed even as chairman of a federal government parastatal, particularly someone who had served as executive chairman of a local government and three terms as a member of the House of Representatives aside other positions. But I have come to realize upon deep rumination that it is not really about the office he is asked to occupy, the bigger picture is the sensation stemming from acceptability, embrace of his personality, the news elicited. Though he lost his desire to return to the House in 2023, this springback is a testament to his masterful grasp of politics. The best of generals do lose battles, the tragedy is to go down permanently and into oblivion after defeat. He faced mockery, ridicule and derision in 2023 but he bore all with equanimity biding his time; he refused to retreat into oblivion and he has now orchestrated a wonderful comeback, pointing to his relevance up to the national level.

The position he will be occupying is very vital, crucial to the revitalization of a nation whose economy is already enmeshed in the doldrums. Water basin development authorities, 12 in number, were established in 1976 and operating under Decree No. 35 of 1987 and Privatization and Commercialization Decree No. 25 of 1988, are to develop and manage water resources in the country. Their core mandates include maintenance of high quality water resource management to boost food security and enhance sustainable development, provide safe and adequate water for domestic, industrial, agricultural and environmental purposes, flood control among others. The goal is to amplify quality of life and promote socio-economic development of the country. It is obvious the mandates of these RBDAs are germane to the economic revival of the country, which is being unwaveringly pursued by the administration of President Tinubu.

Water resources management could be a key lifeline in the realization of this goal. Food security needs to witness a spike to combat high prices of food. It is inexplicable why Nigeria with all its resources in water, land and boasting diverse agricultural potentials in crop and livestock will suffer food scarcity and high prices. The dragnet of reform sweeping several sectors must therefore extend to agriculture, and throwing someone like Hon Odebunmi into the mix is strategic. Without any impunity intended he is a man who comes from an agrarian area and stays connected with the environment, despite the high station he has reached in life. So, the nitty-gritty of farming is not unfamiliar to him, moreover as council chairman and member of the House of Representatives where he represented Surulere/Ogo-Oluwa federal constituency, his contribution to agricultural expansion is noteworthy.

He is certain to bring this experience to bear as he navigates this crucial assignment. Odebunmi, the Okanlomo of Ogbomosoland, is bound to succeed. His impact must be felt. This piece is not only to eulogize him but to charge him to drive the required change such that he will be regarded not as a failure but another success. His task specifically must include resuscitation of moribund dams in the area the basin authority covers (Kwara, Oyo, Ogun, Lagos, areas washed by the Ogun and Osun rivers and their wide network of tributaries) and building of new dams to ramp up provision of clean water, expansion of irrigation farming to boost food production, erosion control and so on. He can’t afford to fail. He will not fail taking cognizance of his effectiveness in service delivery. Equally important is the need to help create and provide employment. Bequeathing sustainable legacies should be his priority.

A major stakeholder in the Ogbomoso socio-cultural milieu, Bunvic has always favoured people-oriented programmes, and arguably, his tenure as chairman of Surulere local government remains unbeatable and unparalleled in the annals of local government administration. His many achievements during his 12 year service representing the people at the National Assembly, makes one exude with pride on the basis of his sterling credentials.