EDITORIAL: A Happy Homecoming!

• Multidimensional intervention by the Interior Minister

The official commissioning of the Ilesa passport center on Tuesday, by the Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola is a happy homecoming that was more than a routine event. It embedded the infusion of technology to enervate administrative processors thereby lessening bureaucratic bottlenecks. It’s a breakthrough for which the federal government and the can-do Minister for Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola deserve great kudos.

With the inauguration of the facilities, Ilesa has joined the list of places such as Lagos, Ibadan, Enugu, Katsina, Zaria, Daura as well as Nigerian missions in overseas countries such as the United States, United Kingdom and  Canada among others where the enhanced e-Passport system has been rolled out recently for easier access by Nigerians.

READ: OBSERVATION: Game Of Politics

It was more than the commissioning of another routine “project” it demonstrated a continuing commitment to the devolution of processes nearer to the people. For Aregbesola it was a tumultuous homecoming for the returning home boy in whom his immediate constituency is very well pleased.

Governor of the State of Osun Senator Ademola Adeleke rose above partisan divides and reflected the mood as well as the conventional wisdom while addressing Aregbesola said “No matter the party you are, a progressive is progressive. If you are doing what the people want, you are a progressive. When Aregbesola was the governor, he loved Osun, he loved his people. All the projects he did for his people were abandoned and I promised during the election campaign, that I would complete them. I have started doing that.

“No matter the party you belong to when you see progressives, you must key into them. Aregbesola is the man of the people and I will continue with the abandoned projects.

“I am assuring you (Aregbesola) that this is your state, I am issuing an Executive Order, this is your state, nobody can chase you away. You are welcome at any time. Very soon, I will move to the Government House but I am going to fix it up a little bit. The magnificent building that you started, I am going to complete it and you will do the commissioning and be the first person to pass the night there.”

The governor very commendable here rose above contrived pedestrian partisan divides of the type that destructively obscures the real issues and breakthroughs.

Aregbesola’s entry into Ilesha and the tumultuous reception he was giving confirms the observation made during the pitched battles for the restoration of democracy in Nigeria by a one-time governor of Anambra State, Dr. Chukuemeka Ezeife that “ the placards that men wear are in their hearts”.

The reception given to the returning avatar wraps it all well. Aregbesola with his to-people social intervention has endeared himself into hearts for all time. He has earned this and those who have attempted to rewrite and sell for immediate pecuniary benefits are now left looking utterly ludicrous. The jury is no longer out it is confirmed that Aregbesola positively seized his opportunity in history and helped to reinstate the position that government must be for the benefit of the overwhelming majority of the population and their families.

The avatar is indisputably at the heart of the rebuilding of the progressive project in Osun State and we wish him the very best in the momentous decades ahead!