A recent state-wide

broadcast by Edo

State Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, on his palliatives for Edo people in view of the increase in the price of petrol by the Federal Government and the consequential rise in the cost of living, got me reeling in laughter and thereafter incurred broken ribs due to the activities of grunter.

It was on Thursday, 19 January, 2012. I had watched him on NTA Network, when I visited my in-law in Uromi. The entire family had gathered to listen to the latest news either from President Goodluck Jonathan, or the next Boko Haram exploits. We were about eight in all; three males and five females. Particularly, an aged woman, whom I never knew, who had this great passion for Oshiomhole, was also on hand.

I did not see her as a hungry sycophant, neither as a politician. And she didn’t betray me but she however, caught my attention. She was agitated throughout the news bulletin while Oshiomhole lasted on the airwaves, marshalling his pro-people initiatives. She shouted “Osho Baba o.”

There was no doubt she was obeying her own mind. When Oshiomhole announced reduction in tuition fees of Ambrose Alli University (AAU), by N15,000 for regulars and those of part-time students by N5,000, she almost exhausted all the local superlatives praising the governor and pouring venoms on his detractors.

She had likened the governor to late Chief Obafemi Awolowo. She looked like she has had some level of education with knowledge of arithmetic. She had already calculated how much reduction the governor had made and how much her last born (daughter), a science student, would part with in view of the new fees announcement. From N60,000 to N45,000. She was full of prayers; a grunting expert with manipulation of guttural sounds.

Each time Oshiomhole said something that the woman found exciting, like free medical treatment for pensioners and persons who are 70 and above and free eye treatment, including glasses for persons who are 60 and above, she would release a volley of grunts: ooohhh! Osho baba oo! Na wao ooo. Na God go bless you for us ooo. Uhnm…see governor. Na dis one dem de call governor.

Later, Oshiomhole announced abolition of fees paid in the entire junior and senior secondary schools and introduction of a 50 per cent subsidy on transport fares for primary and secondary school pupils in uniform and, immediately the woman heard this, she became excited, adjusting her sitting posture with sounds like, “uhm uhm, uhm. Una hear that one? She asked rhetorically. Sincerely, her joy knew no bounds, it was all over her.

However, Oshiomhole continued, “We have also concluded arrangements to double the Comrade Bus Service fleet by acquiring more buses. I wish to again express appreciation to the people of Edo State for their unflinching trust, understanding and support, especially during the challenging events of the past two weeks.  In particular, I am deeply gratified by the appreciation of my position and role in the resolution of the crisis arising from the subsidy reduction.

“For me, there are no easy solutions to the problems that confront our nation. However, to meet the multi-facetted challenges of good governance, I believe that leaders at all levels need to set aside personal political calculations in the larger interest of the polity. Therefore, whereas it was convenient for me at this point to exploit the current issue to orchestrate my political interests, especially as elections are around the corner, the overriding interest of our country was uppermost in my mind.

“Finally, as I have always argued, our problems as a people are not insurmountable. Through constructive dialogue, critical citizen engagement, activism and contestations, collective reflection on policy options and committed stewardship by leaders at all levels, I am convinced that we can improve the quality and pace of development in Nigeria.

She is not alone among those who reacted to Oshiomhole’s palliatives. Hear another “Oshiomhole is a good man. We, the Edo people appreciate his efforts”, Mr. Otaigbe Idehenre said.

However, for Idehenre, “Oshiomhole and the present House of Assembly should make laws that would sustain these initiatives he has started, so that these good things will last even after he is gone.

According to Mrs. Florence Omokhodion, “let’s see what the subsidy removal will bring to every home instead of being pocketed by the very few. What the governor announced as palliatives is a welcomed development. The state really needs more public transports on the roads to ease the movement of every worker and student.

“The moment there are floods of public transports with reduction in fares, the private owners would be forced to reduce their prices or they park their vehicles, then Okada would be phased out. The filling stations would be looking for buyers with promo and incentives.

“I think in a country with good network of transport system, most people prefer going to work with public transports, especially cities with strict parking rules.

“I was never supportive of him during his labour days, but as governor of my state, his performance has indeed been splendid. I hope he wins re-election because he deserves it. Edo state will be better with more years of his leadership,” she said.

•Dr. Fadahunsi (PhD) resides in Ila-Oragun, Osun State.

Comments (2)

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Oshiomhole's State Broadcast
written by abiamone, January 28, 2012

One great disadvantage of the Presidential system of government is the uneven distribution of natural resources and the disunity it engenders. In many ways Oshiomhole and Fashola are implementing policies that should have been meant for the whole of Nigeria. It sounds that education should be cheap in one State and dear in another, or should be qualitative in one state and quantitative in another. Recognition of the welfare of the old and very young shouldn't be a State matter. It should be Federal responsibility to think of some form of welfare system for the whole country.

It is hoped that those State governors who think big and put the interest of their State citizens at heart should continue to do so when they find themselves in charge of the whole country. This is particularly relevant to Oshiomhole who at one time was a trade unionist and fought for the workers.

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Miss
written by Aishat Mukhtar, February 18, 2012

As I read down the lines of the said "Oshiomhole’s State Broadcast On Palliatives" I thought I will come across highly intellectually packaged dish for the Edo people to take home as PALLIATIVES. But so unfortunately, I was struck hard as if ended unconcluded. Who is deceiving who? He reduced school fees from 60,000 to 45, 000. How much did his administration meet it? Was he not the one who increased it before? Let the people go find out out much the fees was when he came in. He can't deceive us blindly. He claimed to have made Medication free for 60 and above and pentioneers. Please ask him how much he already took from them while working for the state in form of taxes? How many times will that old man fall ill to pay such amount the state already took? Or is eyes treatment that costly to be proud of as a reduction for a people? What serious ailments like kedney operations and other demanding sicknesses will his scheme cover? Before all these, how well equiped are his state owned hospitals, in which ordinary blood tests are taken by his doctors employees to their private hospitals? Primary and secondary educations free!!! What a development! But how many people in Edo are happy sending their children to government schools anymore? No morals, no good teaching, no good teachers, no mornitoring...etc In fact no education in those levels of studies in that state. I think all these are ways to buy the people's votes agai n. They should make binding laws and not just building on imagined foundations that they will also easily push to fall again.

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