Dapo Abiodun Will Right All The Wrongs Of Ibikunle Amosun – Hon Afolabi Afuape
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Hon Afolabi Afuape, the immediate past Ogun State Commissioner for youths, Sports and Social development and top APC leader from Abeokuta South local government spoke with Ogun News Express on the expectation of people of Ogun State from Governor Dapo Abiodun.
Can we meet you?
Well, thank you, my name is Hon Afolabi Afuape, a member of the ruling All Progressive Congress in Ogun State, the immediate past Ogun State Commission for Youths, Sport and Social Development. I resigned my appointment from the Governor Ibikunle Amosun led administration because of my political ambition during the just concluded general elections, I wanted to go for the legislative seat of my constituency, the Abeokuta South Local Government.
As a member of the ruling party (APC) and very close to Prince Dapo Abiodun, what do you think are the people’s expectation from the new administration?
There is no gain saying the fact that people of Ogun state are very eager to usher in the new administration bearing in mind that they are fed up with Amosun led administration. Let me use this medium to thank the good people of Ogun state for speaking with one voice by voting en-masse for APC and Dapo Abiodun as the new Governor. The voice of the people tally with the voice of God. Yes, Ogun People are expecting the new government of the duo of Dapo Abiodun and Salako Oyedele to provide them with good healthcare programmes, sound education, youth development, social infrastructure, human development among others. The people have given their votes to Dapo Abiodun and he should reciprocate. Prince Dapo Abiodun should behave like a typical Yoruba man and embrace the Omoluabi culture by embracing everybody and forget about vendetta. But we must give kudos to the incoming administration for initiating and inaugurating committees saddled with the responsibilities of drafting people oriented programmes aimed at giving the people the dividend of democracy. No doubt about it, Gov. Dapo Abiodun will effect positive changes in Ogun State as from 29th of May, 2019.
Dapo Abiodun should also encourage youth development. Youths are the greatest asset to every nation or state, but unfortunately the Amosun led administration refused to do the needful in this sector due to his dictatorial tendencies.
As a former Commissioner and as a member of the outgoing Amosun led administration before you, can you share your experience and advice to the new administration.
(pause) well, when I came on board as the Commissioner for Youth, Sports and Social development, the expectation was high from the youths. Don’t forget I am also a youth. I made some suggestion, drafted some proposals on youth developmental agenda and policy directions and pushed them before the governor, unfortunately former governor Amosun was not interested. We cannot continue to allow our youths, sportsmen and women to go astray. I realized the man would not listen, and that was why the administration failed in that respect. I want to take partial blame for this, but the bulk of the blame should go to Amosun because as the governor, he is expected to give directions and appreciate good agenda. My own was to push forward proposals, but as the governor, if he refused to support the proposals financially, what can I do. It was such a terrible situation. We were supposed to go for games and sports fiestas every year, but throughout my tenure we only went twice and it was frustrating. Look at what is happening in Mapoly today, I told Governor Amosun to take it easy or else the face-off will consume his government, but he wouldn’t listen. I left this government a relieved person, and I have no regret working for Gov Dapo Abiodun and I will continue to work for him because Dapo Abiodun is going to be a listening governor and correct all the maladministration of Amosun.
Based on your experience, what do you expect from Prince Dapo Abiodun in the Youth, Sports and Social development sector?
Governor Abiodun should encourage youth development, he should lay emphasis on vocational training for youth rather than placing too much emphasis on white collar jobs, this will reduce unemployment and reduce the mad rush for okada job and the menace of yahoo boys in our society. Training in bricklaying, artisan works, carpentry, welding, mechanical engineering among others will help us a lot. Our vocational institutions should be upgraded and equipped with necessary facilities. As for sports, this sector should be removed from the ministry while a board or bureau should be established to take care of sport and games. The board should be known as State Sports Commission. Private sector should be encouraged to participate in sports development while states in south west should come together, initiate idea of annual sports fiesta to be rotated annually among the states with the private sector driving it.
As someone very close to Prince Dapo Abiodun, how will you describe the man?
Prince Dapo Abiodun is a man of his words. A man with enviable background who has received national honor before becoming a governor. A successful business mogul and administrator per excellence, he will surely deliver. He is quite different from Governor Amosun, let’s us rally round him
