Author: Abiodun KOMOLAFE

REGARDING politics, service, and governance, virtually all corners of Osun State are already filled with activities forming a prelude to the 2026 gubernatorial election. In such situations, support is typically drummed up for preferred aspirants in various quarters. Similarly, those whose political style allows it will embark on ‘pull-him-down’ campaigns, aimed at dragging their opponents through the mud in the public eye. However, such smear campaigns are, at the very least, bad. While we appeal to politicians across the board and in all political divides to desist from smear campaigns, we plead with all indigenes and residents to heed the…

An interesting recent news item was the massive crowd that greeted Governor Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji (BAO) of Ekiti State’s declaration to run for a second term. A key element of the event was the governor’s endorsement across the dividing lines by members of other political parties, tendencies and factions. The key issue here is that, having shifted the perception of politics in the state and created what looks like a new base of hegemony, BAO has put himself in a pole position to sweep the electoral calculus. Therefore, anyone contesting against him has a mountain to climb. Politics is about…

That I hesitated to write this piece is intentional. That I’ve decided to write it now is also deliberate. I’ll explain both reasons when the time is right. I have met Bola Ahmed Tinubu, now President of Nigeria, a few times, but one meeting that stands out was at Lagos City Hall in 2010. It was during the ‘Oodua, Know Thyself’ programme organised by the Afenifere Renewal Group (ARG), where I served as the Administrative Secretary at the time. Our paths had also crossed earlier at Chief Bisi Akande’s 70th birthday celebration in Ila-Orangun, Osun State, on January 16, 2009.…

The influence of the Beveridge Report can be seen in various initiatives worldwide, including Nigeria’s Free Education Programme in Western Nigeria and agricultural programmes in Eastern Nigeria, as well as the adoption of minimum wage concepts. The list is very long and cannot be fully stated here! As a Christian, I believe salvation comes through faith in Jesus Christ. Still, I’m troubled by the implications for people in countries with different dominant religions, such as India’s predominantly Hindu population (around 79.8%) or Japan’s significant Shinto and Buddhist populations. This raises a concern: in countries like Japan (approximately 1-2% Christian), China…

The primary focus of every known religion is to lead carnal-minded people to become spiritually minded. It is to enable mortals to rise from their lowest ebb to a transformative stage, where they can connect with the divine. This spiritual growth gives rise to morality and essential values, which in turn foster economic and national development. On the other hand, a more critical examination reveals that religion has also been used as a tool for colonialism and systematic enslavement, stressing the complexities of its role in society. Nigeria today is confused about how to define religion and whether it should…

With the 2026 Osun gubernatorial contest, slated for Saturday, August 8, 2026, it is not surprising that the jockeying to win the governorship ticket, especially for the All Progressives Congress (APC) is on. Of course, the incumbent governor will clinch the ticket of his party, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP). So, all eyes and interests would be on the APC. Well, there are two issues of concern here, which must be taken into cognizance in working out the permutations. In the first place, would zoning be an issue? If it is, in what direction and in whose favour? Indeed, this…

We are at midterm, which means that the next electoral cycle has already started. Unfortunately, governance will begin to slow as politicking and jockeying for advantage become more pronounced, distracting from the real work of administration and the quest to achieve sustainable development. The ruling party currently holds a significant advantage, facing an ill-defined and unfocused array of interest groups lacking cohesion. Unlike parliamentary systems, presidential systems don’t truly have an ‘opposition’ concept. Instead, they offer a focused alternative platform, presenting a distinct and more positive stance than the governing party’s. It sums it up: within the reality of a…

One of the off-cycle elections next year will take place in Ekiti State, where Governor Biodun Oyebanji will face reelection. As conventional wisdom widely acknowledges, Oyebanji has several strengths to leverage when campaigning begins, particularly his efforts to redirect the state’s political economy in a positive direction. Ekiti State has navigated the current economic transformation in very steady ways. The state’s poverty level is relatively manageable rather than crippling. The governor’s strategic intervention in agriculture has built up buffers of price-modulating and supply-adjustment mechanisms. This approach has effectively withstood economic headwinds, serving as a model that other states would do…

President Bola Tinubu’s recent announcement to unbundle the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT), Zaria, Kaduna State, into six geo-political zones is an important landmark in Nigeria’s journey towards true federalism and regionalism, which lies not in the constitutional or institutional structure, but in the society itself. This move will go a long way in addressing the historical imbalance in the distribution of national institutions and fostering a sense of belonging and inclusivity among Nigeria’s diverse populations. Ultimately, this development is a step towards addressing Nigeria’s deep-seated structural issues perpetuated by a centralized system. One can only pray that the…

The Year 2024 has been flogged to death! With 2025 now underway, it’s clear that this year will be crucial for Nigeria and Nigerians. The government must develop a comprehensive framework to address the economic, social and political challenges ahead to ensure a game-changing year. To begin with, President Bola Tinubu should leverage his political expertise to facilitate a consensus-driven approach to the Tax Reform Bills currently before the National Assembly. This requires negotiating with regional stakeholders, addressing politically-driven concerns, and finding common ground to ensure the Bills’ successful passage. The Tax Reform Bills are to be commended as the…

*Continued from last week Saturday. Legacy “I want to be remembered as a governor who always tells the truth. I won’t lie! My goal is to live in the hearts of the Ekiti people, and I believe the key to achieving this is by staying connected with them and implementing policies that positively impact their lives. Ultimately, I aspire to be remembered as a governor who brought prosperity to our people, and one who demonstrated responsible and responsive leadership. “Chief Obafemi Awolowo is remembered more for his revolutionary policies, such as Free Education, than for symbols like Cocoa House. To…

I recently had the honour of visiting Ekiti State, where I embarked on a self-guided tour to explore the projects completed or underway by Governor Biodun Oyebanji. From the bustling streets of Ado-Ekiti to the quaint towns of Ikere-Ekiti, Ikole-Ekiti, and Oke Ako-Ekiti, Oyebanji’s transformative initiatives have inspired optimism among residents, who appreciate his people-first leadership. As I concluded my tour, I sought out the governor’s perspective on his administration’s progress. Our thoughtful discussion revealed a leader committed to redefining the boundaries of possibility for all Ekiti residents. With his dedication to his people’s welfare, Oyebanji stands out as a…

There has been another addition to President Bola Tinubu’s media team. The president has also restructured his media team in a bid to “enhance efficiency within the government’s communication machinery.” Thanks be to God! Well, we are not here to look into the costs and benefits of this new addition at a time when Nigerians are clamouring for a review of the cost of the machinery of the government and the implementation of the Oronsaye Report on the cost of governance. Our focus is on the strategic relationship between government and citizens, as explored in ‘Media, democracy and the public…

Yorubaland’s royal institutions face significant challenges, threatening their traditional significance. Across the region, from Akure to Ikire and from Ikorodu to Idiroko, once-revered thrones have devolved into a chaotic game of musical chairs. Nowhere is this more evident than in Oyo, where the protracted search for a new Alaafin has become a seemingly interminable saga. The prolonged process has all the hallmarks of an endless marathon, with contenders awaiting divine intervention or a miraculous resolution to crown the next Alaafin. Elsewhere, while the ‘Emir’ of Iwoland’s relentless pursuit of power has diminished the throne’s value, the Soun of Ogbomoso’s sudden…

Ijesas are distinctive! They are known for their discerning nature and exceptional brilliance. Their rich history reveals fascinating connections. For the record, they are the masterminds behind Osomaalo, a pioneering business phenomenon in Africa. Ijesaland is credited with originating the iconic ‘Nwa Boy’ style, now a multibillion-dollar industry in Igboland. Ijesas are found to have excelled in various sectors, and this has gone a long way in demonstrating their versatility. In the 1930s, Obafemi Awolowo, the legendary statesman, once resided in Ilesa as Secretary to Daniel Ajayi Afilaka. At a time in the history of Ijesaland, Olori Remilekun Anike Agunlejika,…

The illustrious 42-year reign of Oba (Dr.) Gabriel Adekunle Aromolaran, the 40th Owa Obokun of Ijesaland, has come to a close. As we bid farewell to this venerable monarch, may his soul rest in peace, free from worldly burdens! May God comfort the people of Ijesaland and grant them solace during this difficult time! Oba Aromolaran was installed on Saturday, February 20, 1982. His remarkable journey came to a close on Wednesday, September 11, 2024. His illustrious reign beckons us to contemplate the transience of human existence and the impermanence of earthly authority. I had a personal connection to Aromolaran’s…

My first encounter with Adegboyega Oyetola, then Chief of Staff to Governor Rauf Aregbesola, occurred in 2014 during the buildup to the Osun governorship election, where Aregbesola sought reelection on the All Progressives Congress (APC) ticket. Today, Oyetola serves as the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy. “And reckon (people) by the number of years, so that they may understand.” (Quran 18:19). My second and most enduring encounter with Oyetola commenced in October 2016, when I was appointed Senior Special Assistant (SSA) on Media by Aregbesola. I later continued to serve under Governor Oyetola in the same capacity from December…

Governance requires effective time management to thrive. Unfortunately, political systems often waste this precious resource, compromising citizens’ well-being and national prosperity. As a universal currency, time is equally distributed but unequally valued, with marginalized communities frequently bearing the brunt of temporal inefficiencies. At the politics-time intersection, power dynamics emerge, shaping lives through prioritization, policy and resource allocation. To maximize productivity, strategies like prioritization and goal-setting are crucial, lest poor management leads to missed deadlines and lost opportunities. Historically, societies aligned tasks with natural rhythms, highlighting the tension between short-term gains and long-term benefits, thus underscoring the need for intentional time…

According to the World Tourism Organization, tourism generates over $1 trillion in exports annually, creating millions of jobs and stimulating local economies. Be that as it may, it is important to note that Nigeria’s vast growth and development opportunities are being overlooked due to a lack of vision and self-centeredness on the part of its successive leaders, ultimately hindering the greater good and benefiting only a privileged few. This issue pervades all levels of government, from state to local, with authorities neglecting their duties to harness the potential of natural attractions for promotion and development. The plight of Erin Ijesa…

Nigeria is at the moment in a precarious position, teetering like a heavy toddler due to the instability of its monocrop economy. The country’s heavy dependence on crude (not even refined) petroleum exports exposes a cumulative effect of defective political economies and the complacency of the ruling elite “who have been trained as to how not to think”. It also reminds one of the stage-like observations of Robert Nester Marley, that “amid water, the fool goes thirsty”. Nigeria’s reliance on oil can be diversified, but the elite’s mindset stands in the way. A notable example is Mexico’s Acapulco, which transformed…