Ojo Peter, Ibadan
The first son of late Alhaji Lamidi Adesina, a one-time governor of Oyo State, Dr. Ayobami Lam-Adesina, has expressed doubt over the sustainability of the proposed Yoruba Nation, hinging his argument on the inability of two states in the Southwestern region of the country to jointly manage the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, LAUTECH. efficiently.
Dr. Lam-Adesina gave these submissions while featuring on a weekly radio show, ‘Ayekooto on Radio’ anchored by Olayinka Agboola and broadcast live on Lagelu 96.7 FM, Felele Ibadan, the capital city of Oyo State’s on Tuesday evening.
He said it was a shameful thing for Oyo and Osun states not to be able to manage the institution together, adding that he felt embarrassed when he saw his compatriots jubilating when the two states stopped managing the affairs of university.
He said, “When my late dad was the governor of Oyo State and Papa Bisi Akande was in the same position in Osun, nobody heard of any fight or uproar over how the university was being run or funded.
“These were two great statesmen, these were two great sons of Yorubaland, these were two great followers of Obafemi Awolowo. They were focused on how to maintain the heritage of the Yoruba nation.
“I can say it here that almost immediately after these two great men stopped being governors of the states, crisis of management erupted in LAUTECH. At the end of the day, the two states stopped running the institution together.
“This is a very bad omen. Those agitating for the emergence of Yoruba Nation need to tread softly and study the situation on ground. The present crop of leaders we have may not be able to sustain the proposed nation.
“Yes, if we move together to form a nation, it will be okay but then, our great leaders, late Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Chief Bola Ige and others did so well within the same Nigerian nation. So, why can’t those of us in this generation survive in Nigeria?
On Nigeria’s current economic crisis and insecurity, Lam-Adesina, a Doctorate Degree holder in Economic Development, said “We should not put all the blames on the table of President Muhammadu Buhari. The governors and the local government chairmen should all take meaningful responsibility.”
speaking further, he said, “I am more bothered about our governors in the south west. When my late dad, and others were in power, they ensured that many moribund industries under O’dua Investment Company Limited like Exide (that used to produce vehicle batteries) and others were resuscitated to provide employment for our youths.
“Nothing like that is happening today. Our youth are there roaming the streets after spending years to get educated. And everybody is now blaming Buhari. What is the major assignment given to our governors?
“Our governors in the Southwest are responsible for the wellbeing of the Yoruba people. They ought to protect our heritage. I have firm belief that we must not forget our source, we must go back to the ideologies of late Awolowo”.
Dr. Lam-Adesina who also participated in the 2015 All Progressives Congress, APC, gubernatorial primaries explained that he threw his hat into the ring that time to contest against the then incumbent governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi “to stabilize and ensure the survival of the party at that time.”
The Scion of the Lam-Adeshina dynasty further described his father’s relationship with the former Governor of Oyo state, Senator Abiola Ajimobi as cordial, stating that his father did not interfere in the administration of the state during that time as he was a firm believer of efficiency and justice.
On whether he still wishes to become the governor of Oyo State, he said, “That is not what we should be discussing now. We should be talking about how good governance will be instituted. We should be focused on how poverty and insecurity will be defeated. God, alone knows what will happen in the future.”