Buhari and Ogbomoso

Buhari and Ogbomoso

Femi OGUNLANA

The passage of former President Muhammadu Buhari has brought into focus, his years in government. Varied are the opinions depending on one’s definition of performance and on the indexes searchlight is beamed. Though many in the Southern part of Nigeria will love to discredit him on the basis of performance. Perspectives are different. Sentiment and all that will come into play in constructing the personae of the man while in government.

Nevertheless, while ruminating over his years in government as Head of State (December 31, 1983 – August 27, 1985), as Executive President (May 29, 2015 – May 29, 2023), and as Petroleum Trust Fund (PTF) boss, l found out Ogbomoso Community relatively benefitted directly or indirectly each time he held position.

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As Head of State he appointed an Ogbomoso indigene then Col. Oladayo Popoola as military governor of (Old) Oyo state. That catapulted the man who would retire as a Major General into national prominence and by extension further bolstered the image of Ogbomoso which in recent history as at the time (20 years before him) produced Chief Samuel Ladoke Akintola GCON, Col. Shittu Alao, Brigadier Benjamin Adekunle Black Scorpion, Col. Ibrahim Taiwo, IGP Sunday Adewusi and Alhaji Olatunji Muhammed, all national icons. Another figure emerging from the Ogbomoso Community to assume the saddle of leadership in the political headquarters of the southwest at such uncertain time added to the reputation of the town. In addition, Gen. Popoola, used the position in some way to benefit his hometown.

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So, because he was ferreted out by Buhari he rose to importance and would serve in other capacities such as serving as Military Governor of Ogun state (appointed by Buhari’s successor, Gen. Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida), GOC 82 Mechanised Division, Enugu, member of the highest ruling body in the country -Provisional Ruling Council – among others and today Leader of Ogbomoso Community.

In 1996, Buhari was appointed by Gen. Sani Abacha, the then Head of State, as chairman of PTF, a body founded to execute developmental projects across the country from revenue realised from increase in petroleum products. Ogbomoso was a beneficiary town of the agency’s largesse under Buhari. Many township roads were constructed, several of which are still in good condition today, better than many constructed after them.

When he became civilian president, some Ogbomoso people blossomed, as they got national appointment. Professor Abdulganiyu Raji emerged as INEC’s Residential Electoral Commissioner in states like Ekiti, Ogun and Osun; Prof Adeshola Adepoju served as DG Forestry Research Institute of Nigeria (FRIN); Prof Josiah Ajiboye was appointed Registrar and Chief Executive of Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN); Dr. Zacch Adedeji (who today is Chairman Federal Inland Revenue Service FIRS) emerged as Executive Secretary, National Sugar Development Council; and Chief Sunday Dare was appointed Minister of Youths and Sports. There were others. The important thing is that these men ensured Ogbomoso felt their impact. The town now has an outstation of FRIN at Hamama area and research centres in LAUTECH, TRCN now has an office in Ogbomoso, and a Federal Health Centre was built at Pakiotan area.

That was not all, it was also during Buhari’s administration that the Federal Polytechnic Ayede got approved and funds promptly released to fund it. The polytechnic is evolving into a reputable citadel of learning. Also, under him, the construction of fence and gate house of the Police Secondary School Odanbon was undertaken. This is as the Nigeria Immigration Service approved a passport office for Ogbomoso, and a Federal Fire Service office got endorsed for the town though the two like the Police Secondary School are yet to take off. Likewise, the construction of the Ogbomoso – Oyo section of the new Ibadan – Ilorin dual carriageway received a boost in construction during Buhari’s time bringing it to within 10 kilometres completion. His tenure also witnessed the takeoff of a station of the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN), Ogo Ilu, at Oko facilitated by Hon Segun Odebunmi who was then a member of the House of Representatives.

The list may not be exhaustive, but from this, there is no doubt Ogbomoso enjoyed a modicum of dividends of governance under the late General who transited on Sunday, July 13, in a London clinic in the UK.

May his soul rest in peace.