A community leader and social critic, Basorun Olugbenga Fajana, has expressed concern over what he described as the low level of employment opportunities available to Ekiti indigenes despite the large number of political appointments and elective positions occupied by people from the state.
Fajana made the observation in an interview with newsmen in Ado-Ekiti while assessing the performance of Ekiti indigenes holding elective and political appointments at both the state and federal levels, as well as their impact on the people and society.
He argued that the people of Ekiti State had grown beyond merely celebrating the appointment of their sons and daughters into political offices, stressing that what should matter most was the tangible impact of such positions on the lives of the people.
According to him, political appointments should translate into meaningful development, employment opportunities, empowerment and other benefits for the people, rather than being treated as an end in themselves.
Fajana said Ekiti, being a state reputed for its high level of education and human capital, deserved political representatives and appointees who would deploy their positions to attract opportunities and development to the state.
He said, “With all the appointments, both elective and political appointments, the employment of Ekiti indigenes is still low. We need to begin to ask questions about the impact of these appointments on our people.
“Ekiti has grown beyond merely celebrating the fact that our sons and daughters have been appointed into offices. We must look at what they are doing with those positions and how their presence is affecting the lives of ordinary Ekiti people.”
The community leader also cautioned against what he described as the recycling of non-performing political actors, saying the state could not afford to continue giving opportunities to individuals who, in his assessment, had failed to demonstrate sufficient impact.
He maintained that political positions should be occupied by people who could provide measurable contributions to the development of the state and the country.
Fajana said there was a need for a performance-based assessment of political office holders, arguing that appointments and elective positions should not be regarded as personal honours but as opportunities to serve the people.
“Ekiti has grown beyond that. There is no point in recycling non-performance in Ekiti. We should begin to ask: What have you done with the opportunity given to you? What impact have you made on the people?” he said.
Fajana Lists Performing Politicians
In his assessment, Fajana commended some Ekiti political office holders whom he described as performing and making positive contributions through their respective positions.
He specifically mentioned the Senate Leader, Senator Michael Opeyemi Bamidele; Senator Raphael Adeyemi Adaramodu; Hon. Steve Fatoba; Hon. Akin Rotimi; Hon. Femi Bamisile; and Hon. Rufus Ojuawo the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Hon Dele Alake among those he considered to be making meaningful contributions.
Senator Bamidele represents Ekiti Central in the National Assembly, while Adaramodu represents Ekiti South-West/Ikere/Ise/Orun Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives. Available records also list Femi Bamisile among Ekiti's federal lawmakers.
Fajana urged political office holders to intensify efforts aimed at attracting federal opportunities, jobs, infrastructure and empowerment programmes to their constituencies.
He said the people should be able to feel the presence and impact of their representatives through concrete initiatives rather than political rhetoric.
Criticism of Some Political Office Holders
Fajana, however, expressed dissatisfaction with the performances of some other political actors from the state.
He mentioned Mr. Adebayo Adeyeye and Hon. Oyetunji Ojo, among others, as people whose impact he said he had not sufficiently seen.
He also criticised what he described as an attitude of arrogance among some political office holders, stressing that public office holders should remain accessible and responsive to the people they represent.
According to him, political power should not create a disconnect between elected representatives, appointees and their constituents.
“Some of them, in my assessment, have not made the kind of impact we expect to see. We don't see their impact enough, and some of them have become inaccessible and arrogant,” he said.
Fajana's comments constitute his personal assessment of the individuals mentioned and were not presented as an independent performance audit.
Praises Tinubu, Backs Second Term
The community leader also declared his support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's bid for a second term, describing him as deserving of another opportunity to consolidate his administration's programmes.
Fajana urged Nigerians, particularly Ekiti people, to support what he described as the performing aspects of the Tinubu administration.
He said the President deserved recognition for appointing competent Nigerians into strategic positions and called for continued support for those he considered to be delivering in their respective offices.
Fajana particularly praised the appointment and performance of Mr. Dele Alake, Minister of Solid Minerals Development, as well as other Ekiti indigenes serving in strategic federal positions.
He also mentioned Sola Olofin, Mr Seun Faleye of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) and General Femi Oluyede, Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, among those he regarded as contributing positively through their positions.
Fajana said the focus should now shift from celebrating appointments to demanding accountability, measurable achievements and opportunities for the people.
He added that Ekiti indigenes in positions of authority should see their appointments as a call to service and an opportunity to open doors for younger people and qualified professionals from the state.
Call for Greater Impact
Fajana called on political leaders, elected representatives and appointees from Ekiti to work together irrespective of political differences, saying collective efforts would produce greater benefits for the state.
He said the ultimate measure of political leadership should be the positive changes experienced by the people, including employment, improved infrastructure, empowerment, education and economic opportunities.
He urged political office holders to regularly engage their constituents and provide clear accounts of what they were doing with the mandates and opportunities entrusted to them.
“Appointments should not just be about occupying offices.
They should be about what you can bring back to the people. Ekiti people are educated and politically conscious.
They will continue to ask questions about performance and impact,” Fajana added.
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