DR WOLE OLUYEDE’S ASPIRATION …
Resetting Ekiti Values and Commitment to the Public Good
At a time of huge and highly visible challenges in leadership in Ekiti, a noble son of the soil, from Ikere-Ekiti, has chosen to throw his hat in the ring to stem the corrosive tide that seeks to drown out the future of Ekiti, while also bringing in the precision of a surgeon to root out the rot that has taken over, and is set on frittering away the prospects of generations of the Ekiti.
Born and bred in Ekiti – and with a strong pedigree in public service from which he has traveled not only to acquire the reputed Golden Fleece, but has worked across continents in various countries such as the United States of America, Canada, the Caribbean and Australia, acquiring extensive international experience and networks over the years but not forgetting his source Ekiti.
For Dr ‘Wole Oluyede, the moral and intellectual capital that his life is anchored upon are derived from his roots in Ekiti, where early in life he had been engrained with the virtues of hard work, honesty, decency, and the dignity of the human being, which are essential to the Ekiti identity he carries.
Yet, there have been values and virtues that have fallen under threat and are being subjected to deep erosion in recent times. Therefore, he is seeking to join hands with others of similar disposition to rebuild Ekiti's human capital and embark on a collective reset of the foundations of Ekiti.
‘Wole Oluyede is strongly motivated by the need to reinvent the sense of lost community in Ekiti, which is about bringing back genuine commitment to the 3 public goods; bringing back hard work, dignity and prosperity; and bringing Ekiti back into its place of pride and reckoning in Nigeria.
WEALTH CREATION:
Most governments in Nigeria have paid little attention to wealth creation. Ekiti is blessed with Human and Natural Resources, yet we are very poor. The Ekitis, as I grew up to know, are people who stand for hard work, integrity, fairness and dependability. But these days, it is sad to say that we have lost our values. This is basically because the people have been backed into a situation where governmental activities have created systems that make people dependent on the government, thus creating an artificial state of helplessness, hopelessness and poverty. The government itself is dependent on the "dole" called "revenue allocation" received monthly from Abuja.
We now have a situation where we have only been able to produce an emperor who controls the affairs of the state and does not lead collectively. There is no freedom of enterprise, people are not innovative anymore. We have become complacent, there is a gross lack of ideas or creativity. The people now believe that the only and quickest way to get ‘rich’ is through the Government, either by way of getting ‘government contracts’ or by being a member of the ‘cabal in government'.
The days of rich cocoa farmers of old or entrepreneurs like the Anisulowos, the Arowolos, the Obasas, the Oni & Sons, etc are gone.
The starting point, therefore, is to redirect our orientation back to who the Ekitis really were in the past. Independence of mind, innovation, entrepreneurship, commerce and the industry that was used to build our community schools of old. Wealth is very easy and palpably possible. There must be a rediscovery. Our people need mind re-engineering. We must start a productive economy again, and the government will only be a facilitator.
Government should not be about empty arrogance, harassing anyone and everyone who disagrees, extorting businesses, or destroying investments. These are the main reasons why Ekitis and others who live outside the state are not encouraged to come and invest their wealth and ideas here. We are hoping to form a government that will ACTIVELY engage, invite, welcome, encourage, motivate and assist investors.
Keep in mind, Job creation, Youth employment, vocational training, and all the “free” education and “free” health programmes favoured by almost all previous governments require the availability of funds.
As we all know, health is wealth We will ensure an efficient, standard and accessible health care delivery system as part of our wealth creation package. If Elected, we intend to provide qualitative education that will produce students and scholars that will match the best anywhere else in the world. The proper training, employment and empowerment of the youth is of paramount importance and will receive adequate attention and funding.
Providing these services and others will require willing financial, moral and physical contributions and sacrifices from all Ekitis. People will only be willing to participate if they are wealthy enough and involved enough in their governance.
Therefore, we intend to be an open and financially accountable government, allowing the participation of all.
We intend to allow thriving, vibrant, innovative and active Local governments. Local government elections will be held, and we will allow them to be financially independent.
Creating wealth involves the inflow of investments. Investors will only be interested in a serious, safe and welcoming environment. We need a government that will be ready to provide this environment and be ready to partner and invest. One easily available source of these funds is the Ekitis in diaspora. These people are abundantly rich in money, education, work skills, worldly experience and exposure. Realistically, in today’s foreign exchange market, we have a situation where 3000 USD is approximately 4.8 million Naira, hence we can achieve a lot with the inflow from our sons and daughters in diaspora. Most importantly, they are willing to come because they are emotionally attached to Ekiti. Presently, they are scared off by the situation as it is now. I intend to be a bridge for my fellow Ekitis who are willing to come and invest. I have gone through that journey myself, so I can be a good resource for them. We just require an enabling environment of accountability and the assurance of the security of life and investments within the state, which we will provide.
AGRICULTURE, RURAL ROADS AND INFRASTRUCTURE:
Agriculture, a venture that feeds, provides employment, and generates individual wealth, must be given its place of pride. Unfortunately, in Ekiti, agriculture is often seen as a poor man’s work. All of us want to be “Alakowes.” It is time the “Alakowes” return to the farm and run agriculture as a business as it should. This drive will be central to my government, and I intend to live by example.
On a recent visit to Malaysia, I was struck by their success in palm production. Interestingly, the first palm trees planted in Malaysia were imported from Nigeria. They have now expanded their plantations across Africa. Countries in Europe, North America, and Australia also derive significant revenue from agriculture and processed products. Farmers in these regions are millionaires, thanks to advanced farming techniques and technologies, including precision farming. This shows that with the right approach, Ekiti can emulate their success.
Precision farming, which involves using technology like drones, GPS, and soil sensors to optimize crop yields and reduce waste, can be a game-changer for Ekiti’s farmers. By adopting these modern methods, we can increase efficiency, reduce costs, and make farming more sustainable. Our young people can be inspired to view farming as a viable and prestigious vocation, leveraging technology to innovate and prosper.
However, a major challenge remains: the lack of substantial government support. Farmers need assistance in setting up and maintaining steady income streams, especially during planting and dry seasons. Government-backed initiatives, such as “set-up” loans and the establishment of produce exchanges, can help farmers sell their products year-round, manage loans, and benefit from support schemes.
Looking at Ilasa Ekiti, in Ekiti East Local Government, it is one of the top yam-producing areas in the Southwest. Yet, production remains at a peasant level without government involvement. By encouraging private enterprise and providing financial aid, we can enhance productivity, create storage facilities, and ensure year-round availability of produce. The internal revenue generated from Ilasa Ekiti’s yam production alone would be remarkable.
Ekiti is also rich in other resources like cashew, cocoa, nutmeg, and cassava. These hold immense potential for wealth creation. If we take agriculture seriously, Ekiti can thrive. However, if our wise and able citizens continue to struggle while less capable leaders overlook our potential, we face a significant problem.
Agricultural development must be linked with broader infrastructure projects, such as good roads to farmlands, accessible loans, adequate storage facilities, and, most critically, security for lives and property. By integrating precision farming technologies into this strategy, we can lead Ekiti into a prosperous future where farming is both rewarding and sustainable.
Together, we can make this vision a reality. It is time to stand up, embrace innovation, and be counted in the transformation of Ekiti’s agriculture.
ROADS
Ekiti has a significant rural set-up needing development, and most of our larger settlements have passable roads. I do not think our emphasis should be on building more roads of "convenience" because we really cannot afford to build all these expensive city roads. Instead, our thrust will be directed at providing serviceable roads to access our development hubs like our farm settlements and proposed factories and other economic activity centres, to move agricultural and other resources to improve our productivity and growth. This is a Concept I term Ekiti Economic Road Projects(EERP) -an idea which will assist Commerce, Industry, Tourism and Agriculture. I have gone around Ekiti to identify some of these roads, Iyin/Ado Old Road, Ikere/Igbara-Odo Road, Ikere/Ijan Road, Itapaji/Odo-Oro/Iyemero Road, Ilawe/Ikere Road, Ise-Orun/Aba Oyo Road, Omuo Ekiti/Egbe Ekiti Linkage Road and others so numerous. My idea of EERP will seriously assist the Economy and development of Ekiti. It is Possible. We can work to make it possible.
SECURITY
One of my observations during various tours around the state is that many farmlands, especially ones that are isolated, have been invaded by elements who attack the farmers and other citizens. People are therefore afraid to stay long on the farms or even abandon them. There has to be a serious effort to secure every inch of the state. I am at present consulting with appropriate experts on the modalities to deal with the situation.
WOMEN'S AFFAIRS AND EMPOWERMENT:
In present-day Nigeria, there is almost an equal distribution of men and women. However, it would not be an exaggeration to state that currently, women are grossly underrepresented in governance. They are hardly recognised in any prestigious position across notable sectors, and they are treated as second-class citizens in our country. Conversely, women are recognised globally as having a much larger contribution to the development and advancement of a forward-thinking Nation. In this present century, the world has moved to a place where gender is no longer used as a barrier against what a person can do or achieve.
I am very passionate about seriously correcting this flaw in our modern society. It is time to re-educate all of us and ACTIVELY promote women in a favourable light so that being female is no longer perceived as a form of disability.
My goal will be to develop programmes that will enlighten and encourage our women so that they can achieve and become anything they work towards. The focus of the programme will be to encourage young women to believe in themselves, as well as assisting with appropriate loans, training in business, entrepreneurship, and leadership training will also be provided.
In our government, artificial barriers that prevent women from being appointed to top-level positions in every sector in our society will be phased out.
My mission is to ensure that women are adequately represented even within our team by implementing a compulsory quota system that will secure their engagement in employment positions.
One's gender will not be a factor in determining how much a person can achieve in the industrial, political and economic world.
Further to that, appropriate public education and protective laws will be put in place to discourage domestic violence, sexual harassment, sexual discrimination and other discriminatory practices against women.