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Who is afraid of Aketi ?

Who is afraid of Aketi ?

By Lawrence Amimi
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Governance or public office is to serve the people,  the down trodden and vulnerable, this piece attempts to appraise the  achievements of the Akeredolu’s administration in Ondo State in the last three years from the cultural perspective.

It would be recalled that through mutual trust, the people of Ondo State willingly, voted for Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, in the 2016 governorship election in the state.

In return, they expect a good treatment in terms of protection of their lives and  guarantee of qualitative standard of living.

Three years into the life of the administration with lots of projects either completed or ongoing simultaneously in both the rural and urban centers in the state show that Governor Akeredolu has set a track record of exemplary performance. He has shown to the people that though his predecessors have tried, but he can do better and  has demonstrated this  through his indelible footprints in the state today.

The five point programmes as encapsulated in ‘Aketi Vision’ are carefully structured  to improve lives of the people with  quality social services like good health care, qualitative education, good road network, employment generation, provision of potable water adequate security,  among  others.

As a facilitator and developer, Arakunrin’s effort since assumption of office has always been geared towards a sustainable development of the state  by mobilising the people to harness all the God-given resources, create and use wealth for the ends of individual happiness  and collective fulfillment,  peaceful cohabitation in an environment of transparent and honest leadership. How then has the success story been achieved despite the limited resources available to the government?

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Consciously or unconsciously, the concept of culture adopted by Mr Governor as a guiding principle and rule has earned him the opportunity to open a new Vista of relationship with the members of the public. It must be  mentioned that  people of the Sunshine State have established themselves as  people with fascinating cultural background. Their economy, politics, aspirations and social lives are ordered by the cultural sophistication.

In this wise, Aketi’s revolutionary approach to improve revenue generation is worth mentioning. The open door policy and community engagement adopted by Mr Governor enhanced him to enjoy the support and co-operation of the people of Ondo State. This is in consistence with tradition of critical but constructive involvement and engagement.

Prior to this administration, military or civilian, people were always resentful to tax payment and other levies because of the negative perception that government has more than enough, but is only out to suffer the poor masses. As a matter of fact they quickly reacted against any government tax regime in which they are not adequately consulted and informed. We had a history of market women protested against government tax policy in the past.

Alas, in appreciation that culture is central to mass education and social mobilisation, Mr Governor has  to tap into the power of culture in appealing to the conscience and sentiment of the people that tax payment is not meant to suffer them but for their general well being. With that advocacy, people now pay their taxes and other levies voluntarily rather than compulsion. This has attracted more funds to the state for its development projects.

 Generally speaking, most government policies and decisions often failed to achieve desired result due to unconsciously neglect of instrumentality of culture. As we all know, culture is not just a way of life, but what must be understood before any meaningful societal change can be achieved. Hence, the missing link between man and development has always been culture. We need to understand the people we want to develop in order to achieve result.  In this regard, Aketi has successfully deployed the principle of culture in transforming our communities, promoting agelong traditional crafts, unbundles people from mental servitude, promoting economic emancipation and social transformation of our rural communities with that philosophy, projects are cited through common consent and citizens are made to own such as their properties.

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Perhaps, realizing the continued failure in governance arising from failure to cultivate and nurture our democratic principles within our cultural roots, Governor Akeredolu have  to tap into the power of culture in developing his catchy, simulating and distinctive vision tagged ‘Akeyi Vision,  this secret strategy has become an authentic home-grown development instrument in reshaping our communities.

Hence, culture and governance networking have created a great experience that reshape economic development and social enhancement; while still achieving enduring peace in the Sunshine State. Thus, an evolving concept of tradocracy: an intergration of native intelligence and mechanism of modern governance ideals.

Let me  dwell here briefly on the much talked about second term bid of Mr Governor; even though it will be about  follow up to this write up. The heart inspiring dividends of democracy as exemplified in aggressive investment in physical infrastructure across the state has made many jittery of Aketi’s future ambition.

As a matter of fact, opportunity to serve for a second term in the Sunshine State is exclusively bestowed on a sitting governor who has distinguished himself in service delivery and prioritizing the welfare of the people. Politically, the people of Ondo State are unpredictable,  this is because governing the state has been regarded in some quarters as a difficult political assignment. Many feel that the Ondos are politically temperamental and too conscious of their political rights. This is apart from their natural quality of fair-play and love for justice. In all, the people are very frank and hate political dishonesty. Even though, very loyal and law-abiding people of the state would ask questions from their leaders when and where necessary. This political sophistication portrays them as too blunt to a fault and straight forward.

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Having all these at the background, Mr Governor deemed it fit to create a new political culture of belongingness as against politics of isolation and bitterness; thus bridging the existing gap in a bid to achieve egalitarian society. A cursory look at the level of development in the last three years or so has put one at a crossroad as to how  the beautiful ones are now here. To a very large extent, Governor Akeredolu has demonstrated that he is the people’s governor. His actions are exceptional and clear departure from what citizens used to experience.

To the political actors and gladiators the 2020 gubernatorial election is just too near; but to the mass of  people, the journey is still far away. What the people want now is more dividends of democracy from Mr. Governor.

Amimi is the immediate Director of Culture in Ondo State.

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