Engage in robust engagements before taking any action – TOM to Osun government

A political group, The Osun Masterminds, TOM has urged the Ademola Adeleke-led state government to engage in robust engagements before taking action going forward.

The group claimed this is to avoid situations where government activity appeared like vendetta or fail because of poor intentions and poor planning.

The group also advised the Federal Government on steps to take as regards challenges bedevilling Nigeria and foreign relations with regards to the coup d’etat in Niger Republic.

These calls were contained in a statement read by the group’s Executive Director, Professor Wasiu Oyedokun-Alli, during its August State of the State address on Monday in Osun.

Oyedokun-Alli who insisted that the suggestions were made in good faith, asked that they be taken as patriotic suggestions and not met with bitterness.

The statement said, “Governor Adeleke must avoid the allure of white elephant projects as he may be getting pushed to dabble into. At the moment, Osun requires a measured pace of development that is both pragmatic and realistic, considering the state of our finances that had been in bad shape since the Aregbesola years. We cannot move too fast while trying to not move too slow. The Governor must, therefore, properly analyze every intention of the government to avoid spending on frivolities that will further impoverish the state.

“Government must also be careful with the steps it is taking with the state’s educational institutions. Education is a sensitive matter that cannot be administered with political emotions. We must carefully manage the issues surrounding the administration of the State-owned tertiary institutions.”

While reiterating that the group remained committed to timely interventions as promoters of good governance ideals and campaigners for change, it advised the state government not to be found acting in ways that can undermine the integrity of any other arm of government.

The group also said, “The federal government needs to consider the payment of outstanding salaries of members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities as part of measures to provide palliatives in the present state of the nation as occasioned by the removal of fuel subsidy. The labourers deserve their wages and paying the same will go a long way in cushioning the effects of the subsidy removal.

“The federal government needs to be circumspect on whatever decision it takes on the crises in Niger Republic considering the closeness of the country to Nigeria and the effects it would have on us particularly, should war be the option. No war has ever been won on the battlefield but on negotiating table and why then should a war start knowing its resolution will still be dialogue? We challenge the president to explore more windows of dialogue and not result in war.

“The federal government needs to do immediately to whatever is in its power to make life liveable for the people. The people are groaning and there is always a limit to how much a man can take as endurance. May the people of the nation not resort to self-help where even the power of the state won’t be able to contain the uprising.

“The poor need to breathe!”