Of recent there has been out cry about Nigerian political players going to Dubai, either for political scheming, business deals or even relaxation which in Yoruba language could mean “yotomi” “faaji” and so on. The very recent been the local government council chairmen of Osun intended CAPACITY ADVANCEMENT PROGRAM in Dubai, the memo to that effect get to social media and hell was let loose on the matter.
Digging deep into the matter, it was revealed that the plan and funding (which has been done already) predates Governor Gboyega Oyetola’s administration, the program has been initially slated for sometimes around September 2018, it should be recalled that the Osun gubernatorial election where Governor Gboyega Oyetola won triumphantly was conducted around the same September 2018 which saw to the halt of the trip because as local government chairmen, they are practically involved in the election, it is also worthy of note that before this allotted time (September 2018) all expenses have been paid to the service providers which include flight ticket to and fro to Dubai, accommodation and other needs. This is even before the election that cruised Oyetola into the apex office of the land, so tagging the governor with issues that has been sealed before his emergence is nothing but mischievous.
FACTS ABOUT GOVERNMENT SPONSORED TRAVELS.
For those who are familiar with how government works, there is a level you will get to qualify for international trainings, ask various directors and permanent secretaries around, they will tell you stories of how they are beneficiaries of such gesture, even in private sector, companies sent their staffs out of the country to get training, these trend does not leave behind the military, as we know they often send some of their personnel outside the country for more training and exposure to international best practice , one begin to wonder why the case of these local government chairmen should be different.
It is the believe of everyone that our political leaders need some capacity advancement to be able to meet up with the contemporary challenges we are facing in the country, rather than condemn, let’s support those in power to get needed skills especially if it doesn’t affect the finances of the current administration, must I remind you that it has been paid for before the advent of the current administration, the state tends to lose more if the program is canceled, yes we would lose money because it has been finalized and paid for since September 2018, and we would also lose the opportunity to train this leaders at this time.
While I acknowledge the need for financial prudency which the governor represents, the need to build contemporary leaders for effective leadership and representation is more necessary.
Contemporary problems need contemporary answers which in my view are lacking in Nigerian political space hence the need for more education and development trainings such as this one; it’s the norm since time immemorial.
(e) Ajibola Ogunkanmi.
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