I am honoured to be here with you today to join you in the groundbreaking ceremony of the construction of the 24.5 km Itas-Gadau Road
People often say that Nigeria has both a leadership and a followership problem. I agree. But I strongly believe that the leadership problem is more important than the followership problem. If we are to achieve sustainable growth and development, we must have leaders who have a growth and development mindset. It is this mindset that will make leaders think more about the consequences of being left behind as the world rapidly moves into the fourth industrial revolution.
The role of the governing council may be almost invisible. Still, their impact is undoubtedly felt in the direction that the school is headed. Their position is very strategic. One of their core duties is overseeing and ensuring accountability on the part of the school’s direct administrators.
Oyo State is indeed open for business. We do not discriminate here. Whether local or foreign investments, as long as it is in our people’s overall best interest and will grow our economy, we are open to it. As I always say, we run an open-door policy. You do not have to know anyone in government to pitch your ideas to us. Our administration has policies to encourage everyone to invest here, be they startups or large corporations.
Let me pause at this point and acknowledge the immense contribution of our late Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources, Honorable Kehinde Ayoola. He did all the planning and groundwork to ensure that this project turned out as it did today.
I can report to you that we were able to bring the situation in Sasa under control within a few hours. Contrary to news that has been circulating on social media, since about 2pm on Saturday, the 13th of February 2021, the situation in Sasa had been de-escalated. A curfew was put in place and there has been no further unrest since then.
Let me once again, use this opportunity to thank my brother, the Executive Governor of Osun State, His Excellency, Governor Gboyega Oyetola for putting aside all differences, especially partisan politics, all through these negotiations. We appreciate his applying wisdom in taking a stand for what is best for the staff and students of LAUTECH.
I am calling on any individuals or groups planning to take any actions that would lead to the forcible removal of anyone from Oyo State to desist from taking such actions. Any persons who fail to abide by this directive will face the full wrath of the law.
Gratitude is something that a lot of us take for granted. Somehow, a lot of us feel that we can only express gratitude when everything is fine. But we know that as far as this world is concerned, everything cannot be great all the time. So, we must be grateful for what we have. In showing gratitude, we will receive even more.
Many would describe 2020 as a tough year. However, our 2020 is not defined by these events. As the first stanza of that song says, “When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost, count your many blessings, name them one by one, and it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.” So, let me recount some of the blessings that 2020 brought us as a people..
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