…His ageless belief in DA
If Governor Dapo Abiodun starts a school on leadership and governance, many a politician would definitely be his most ardent students. Governor Abiodun rocks. The dashing and debonair Prince tickles Ogun from the cities to the boondocks. He is a visionary too. He’s got great dreams for Ogun State, no doubt, and an excellent palate for the iconic in arts, politics and industry.
Unlike his peers in other states, who stifle their domains, like Victorian overlords trampling the peace and shoots of genius without a care in the world, Governor Abiodun understands that good governance goes beyond providing infrastructure and enabling growth across all spheres. He understands the significance of symbolic acts and gestures; this is why he leaves no stone unturned in recognizing and respecting the elders in the state. Among the preeminent elders who do not joke with him is the former President of Nigeria, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo.
A former Head of State and two-term President, the elder statesman hardly ever holds court or celebrate any epoch without the presence of the governor. When Seun, one of his sons, got married to his heartthrob, Deola Sonubi, Saturday, December 12th, at the Harvesters International Christian Centre, Gbagada, Lagos, Governor Abiodun was there in his full gubernatorial éclat.
He congratulated and advised the new couple, saying, “Marriage is the start of a new life phase that must be accompanied with spiritual guidance and prayers.” In attendance also were Nuhu Ribadu, ex-chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and Timi Alaibe, former managing director (MD) of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC). But none of their age-long closeness to Obasanjo excited and tickled like the one he evinces with Governor Abiodun.
A few days later, the Ogun State government hosted its annual Christmas Carol Service of Nine Lessons at the June 12 Cultural Centre, Abeokuta. Obasanjo, who holds a PhD in Christian Theology which he bagged in 2017 from the National Open University, was there in his flowing agbada. He stayed all through the programme. In the governor’s short sermon, he said, “Benevolence defines the Christmas season, which is why Ogun State people, who are naturally kind, are always more so during festive seasons. So, I pray that this Christmas will not be an exception.”
Two days ago, December 29th, Governor Abiodun was at the inauguration of the Agbeloba Aquaculture Hub in Owiwi, Ewekoro Local Government Area of the state, which is being promoted by the former President. There, Governor Abiodun extolled Obasanjo’s agricultural acumen and initiatives, and investment and commitment, saying, agriculture is the surest path out of the poverty and unemployment that plague the country. “We believe that we can grow what we eat and we want to congratulate former President Olusegun Obasanjo for his tireless and continuous preaching. We, as a government, believe in what Baba (Obasanjo) is doing and we will continue to advocate for this because we see ourselves quickly becoming the food basket of this nation,” he said.
The governor added, “It is important to note that Baba (Obasanjo) did not start his agricultural revolution just yesterday. He is a legend who is fondly remembered for his popular farming program ‘Operation Feed the Nation (OFN),’ long before Obasanjo Farms Nigeria Limited.
“That was 45 years ago when he was Head of State, and aged only 38 years old. At that time, Baba had seen that the future of our great country is in agriculture. And even after leaving office, we are pleased that he did not leave the OFN that he started. It is a reminder that now more than ever; we need another Operation Feed the Nation (OFN). This time, it has to be urgent and with its own initiatives.” On his part, the former President commended the governor for all his initiatives in agriculture and encouraged him not to relent.
Early in January 2020, Obasanjo was one of the first high profile guests to pay a courtesy visit to Governor Abiodun at his Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta office. The governor had just clocked seven months in office and ‘Baba’, as the former President is widely and fondly called, said he deemed it fit to visit and chit-chat with the governor. He, however, refused to divulge the details of their discussion. “I have come to say Happy New Year to the governor and, then, of course, I haven’t been here since his (Dapo Abiodun) assumption of office. So, I have come to welcome him to his seat and raise few issues that I believe are of interest to the development of the state in the area of education, agriculture, rural development and other things,” the retired general said.
