I am torn between national patriotism, political affiliation, and likeness for Governor Seyi Makinde’s Government in Oyo state. It was a choice from three devil alternatives but the patriotism in me override any other considerations hence this communication.
Let me also made it clear that I look forward to negative reactions to this write-up but posterity will judge if I failed to talk in this circumstance and I can’t keep mute in the face of glaring state’s failure to act appropriately to protect her people. Moreso, my background as a national labour leader especially in the food sector of the economy would not allow me to overlook such salient issues and allow it to pass without a cursory look and call for possible quick correction from Oyo state government and her COVID 19 team.
The dateline was 21st April 2020, I was forced to leave Lagos for Ogbomosho because my 91years old mother in law reported sick, it was a sort of mix feelings before I eventually agreed with my wife that we should embark on the journey to check on the sick old woman. The reason for the mixed feeling was not far-fetched – ‘COVID 19 lockdown’. I knew we could successfully make the trip because I work for a food company in Lagos and we are classified as those on essential duty, so I have the pass that can cover us from the security agents and checks while on the road. We set out around 9.25 am, it was very tough between Lagos and Ogun state because we passed through nothing less than 15 checkpoints to tell the level of seriousness within the two States. Our identity and pass were thoroughly checked.
Alas! When we got to Oyo state, it was a different ball game; the story is different from what was obtainable in Lagos and Ogun states, we journeyed through the state capital around 11.22 am from Ibadan toll gate, we got to Ogbomosho late in the afternoon, to my consternation, life was going on normally within the metropolis and outside, the notorious ‘Micra’ taxis were still taken two passengers in the front seat and four at the back, normal business life was going on smoothly in Ibadan, it was as if Oyo state is not part of Nigeria, no lockdown, no social distancing, no face mask, etc. there is no single security checkpoint from Ibadan to Ogbomosho except one around Akinyele before Oyo township.
My take is this, how come Oyo state government is paying mere lip service to COVID 19 lockdown? The Governor recently announced the extension of resumption date for civil servants within the state, this seems not to add up at all because what is the percentage of the civil servants compared to the population of the whole state? The truth must be said no matter how hard and whose ox is gored, Governor Seyi Makinde should do more to tackle this COVID 19 pandemic because his failure to act put the lives of the citizenry at risk, mere observation of curfew from 7 pm – 6 am is not enough to fight COVID 19 in Oyo state. God forbids! Look at what is happening in Kano state, the state recorded more than 70 deaths in two days, NCDC statistics shows that Kano is the third worst-hit state with Covid19 now after Lagos and FCT. A stitch in time, saves nine, Governor Seyi Makinde should act now before it’s too late, if things should go wrong, history will not forgive him (Gov. Makinde) because he fails to act appropriately.
Comrade Adebayo Aderogba writes from Lagos, he is the National Treasurer, Food, Beverage and Tobacco senior staff association, a social critic, and State house of assembly candidate in the 2019 election in Oyo state.
