From Yesterday’s Struggles to Today’s Progress: Why Oyo State Must Stay the Course|Deji Ola
They say history is the greatest teacher, and indeed, it offers us the clarity needed to understand our present and shape a better future. In the case of Oyo State, reflecting on the past is not just important, it is necessary.
There was a time in our dear state when governance was skewed in favor of a privileged few, while the majority civil servants, pensioners, and everyday citizens were left to bear the burden of neglect. Workers endured irregular salary payments, promotions were delayed for years, and employment opportunities were neither transparent nor inclusive. Our senior citizens, who had given their prime years in service to the state, were subjected to untold hardship, often struggling endlessly to access their entitlements. These were painful realities that defined an era many would rather not relive.
However, Oyo State has since witnessed a new dawn one marked by purposeful leadership, people-centered policies, and a commitment to fairness and accountability. Today, governance has been redefined with a focus on improving welfare, restoring dignity to public service, and creating opportunities that cut across all segments of society.
As we approach the 2027 general elections, it is important to remain vigilant. There will be attempts to rewrite history, to downplay past failures, and to present recycled narratives dressed as fresh alternatives. But the people of Oyo State must ask the critical question: can a system that once thrived on exclusion suddenly transform into one that genuinely serves all?
The answer lies in our collective memory and present realities.
This moment is more than a political contest, it is a defining choice between sustained progress and a return to a past we have consciously moved beyond. It is about preserving the gains we have made and continuing on the path of growth, stability, and inclusive development.
Oyo State has since regained its pacesetting status under the leadership of Governor Seyi Makinde. The responsibility before us now is to ensure that it not only retains that status but lives up to it in every sense.
The future is bright, but only if we choose to protect it.