By Ikechukwu Okaforadi
The Governors of Kebbi State, Atiku Bagudu and his counterpart in Borno, Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum, have advised the incoming Governor of Ekiti State, Biodun Oyebanji to promote continuity by building on the legacies of his predecessor.
The Governors commended the Ekiti State Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi for rising above ethnic bonds and building himself into a pan-Nigerian leader loved and revered across political, religious and ethnic divides.
They applauded the outgoing Ekiti Governor for building trust between himself and the Ekiti people, through good governance that touches every sector of the economy, making Ekiti a microcosm of development in spite of the paucity of funds.
The duo spoke in Ado Ekiti, at a valedictory conference in Fayemi’s honour, titled: “JKF: A Journey in Leadership”.
In his brief submission at the event, held at the Obafemi Awolowo Civic Centre, Ado Ekiti, Bagudu appealed to Oyebanji to rejig governance in Ekiti by consolidating the gains already brought by Fayemi to the people, describing this as the best way to build an economically virile state.
The Chairman of the Progressives Governors’ Forum, described Fayemi as one dependable leader every zone of the country has trusted and is ready to work it.
Bagudu said: “Continuity in governance is key and germane to economic development. I charge the incoming Governor, Biodun Oyebanji to build on the legacy of his predecessor. Sustainability in governance is an essential ingredient of democracy”.
Bagudu added further; “Governor Fayemi is one leader that is committed to Nigeria’s dream. He is one leader that believes in the unity of this nation. He believes in progressive ideas. His utmost aim is to ensure that people get dividends of democracy”.
Speaking about the multifaceted challenges pummeling the nation, Bagudu urged Nigerians not to despair or get disillusioned about the country due to many challenges afflicting the nation, saying the level of Nigeria’s indebtedness shouldn’t be a reason for people to be hopeless about the country.
“Even great nations like the USA, who are even more economically advanced than Nigeria are even more indebted than Nigeria. What we need now are investments through global partnerships for over 200m population, to build our economy and build our people”, Bagudu added.
Setting a strong agenda for Oyebanji, the Borno Governor, Prof. Zulum, urged him to invest in a knowledge-driven economy and fight poverty that is ravaging the people, for his reign to be indelible in annals of history.
Zulum added that Oyebanji must focus attention on the infrastructural deficit in roads and other public utilities that can benefit the populace while superintending over the state, describing this as a pivot and boost to economic development.
Zulum added; “Every serious-minded government today in Nigeria must focus attention on poverty reduction, infrastructural deficit and the emerging climate change to curb incidences of natural disasters.
In his lecture titled: ‘A Scholar in Power: Reflections on Power, Democracy And the Future of Nigeria’, a Professor of Africana Studies, University of Pennsylvania, USA, Dr. Adewale Adebamwi, said no federal system can be perfect, harping on the need for the current weak Nigerian system to be rejigged and strengthened.
