LETTER TO OBA GHANDI: Let them focus on mischief and blackmail, just focus on devpt
Ben GEORGE
Advertisement
I just had the urge to pen this piece to you, our revered Oba, Your Imperial Majesty Ghandi Afolabi Olaoye Orumogege III. I know the detractors in their usual character will be miffed because they want everyone to perceive you, a progressive monarch, the way they perceive you, which is marked by uncharitableness. I know they will resort to blackmail, their naive strategy, with which they think they can cow everybody. Their penchant for abusing those not on the same page with them is ridiculous. They are given to dancing round fallacies, twisting reason, pushing out jaundiced analyses. They are loose cannon adept at hurling invective at anyone who is perceived not to be on their side. They package lies as truths, they justify foolishness; they are driven by bigotry, hatred, religious conflict and bay for blood. Their heart is full of conceited agenda. But thank God they are failing, running from pillars to posts to defend one exposee or the other, sweating profusely to patch up a fallen disguise, frantically running helter-skelter to justify the insufferable. Their various plots to turn the issue into religious conflict persistently suffers, failing to materialize, often falling like a pack of card. A simple issue of right and wrong being re-packaged as an onslaught on Islam, it is laughable. Progressively, they have no peace and are engulfed in desperation to stay afloat. Those standing on lies never had rest of mind, no peace and that is why jumpiness mark their actions, violence-prone, provoking conflagration.
You may also like:
But our beloved paramount ruler, do not despair, greatness has such ingredients; he who will be great will face daunting challenges, navigate thorny paths. Your predecessors has their own fair share of difficulties too. Your Majesty, rather, you should be joyful because you have the majority, you have the people. Your coolness, calmness, confidence and assuredness have given you the edge. Our major preoccupation is to see the transformation of our dear land, alas, this you have shown an avowed commitment to achieving, so, do not be distracted. As long as your goal aligns with the desire of the patriots of the land you have nothing to worry about. One thing we have however noticed is that you have an aura of goodwill that attracts goodness – Olorire ni yin. Your reign has opened with positive developments, in so short a time, we have seen the trend of growth, inspiring advancement. Your reign is becoming synonymous with developmental strides.
Ogbomoso being approved as a campus of the novel Nigerian Academy of Cultural Studies (NACUS) billed to commence in September marks a significant achievement. The Nigerian Immigration Service passport office will get off by God’s grace during your reign, this is according to the controller of the Oyo state command of the service. Federal Polytechnic Ayede will certainly relocate to its permanent site, the present bottlenecks hindering the relocation notwithstanding, your goodwill will bring it to pass. Investors, local and foreign, are already showing interest in exploring the abundant opportunities that abound in Ogbomoso zone. The pipeborne water reviltalization project you spearheaded we know will overcome the present lacuna delaying its implementation. Under your watch the moribund Ogbomoso Ultramodern Market is kicking to life with the movement of the abattoir and meatsellers to the site. LAUTECH continues to attain merit. Your sagacity and visionary outlook are what is giving a facelift to the Oja’gbo market stalls. The construction of the remaining section of the new Ogbomoso – Oyo dual carriageway has re-commenced and is being executed at a very speedy rate. Also, the old road is receiving adequate attention. All these during your reign!
It is incontrovertible the foundation of a great model city is being laid, with you in the forefront. Bold initiatives like the Cradle Carnival, 25 year – Development Agenda with the inauguration of various implementation committees, Ogbomoso Green Infrastructure Plan, peace efforts and many other remarkable private enterprises and drives your actions are igniting are indicative of a greater future for the zone. In over a year we have not heard of unpalatable tales of Your Majesty indulging in land seizure. Your incredible works and strides are making irrelevant the tribes beating the drums of war. You are refined hence you have refused to be drawn into their ill-conceived war inspite of their devilish incitations; Kabiyesi, your heart is preoccupied with developmental initiatives and not with cheap blackmails and meaningless exchanges of unpleasantness. That’s why you have remained ahead, you have strategically refused to come to their level. Truth not might will prevail.
Advertisement
Your Majesty however, the journey is just picking up, and it will be long and arduous but we are sure you have the stamina to go the whole hog. In the short term, can you, Kabiyesi, push more, communicate more, by motvating your sons and daughters in governments and in other high places and leveraging on your high standing to spark a resurgence in regards of the following projects already approved for Ogbomoso. These include the 132kv substation, the police secondary school, national healthcentre, national fire service department etc. There are keys, thumbscrews that can be turned to reactivate federal government’s interest in these projects. Find the thumbscrews sir.
As long as your goal is development-oriented, you will have the people on your side. We are eager for transformation, initiate this in time. The Soun stool in all history always triumphs over bothersome threats, this one too, it is just a matter of time, the stool will reassert itself. Ade o pelori, bata o pe lese, esin Oba o jeko pe o!
