Featured, Sports
By Benprince Ezeh
GOV. Seyi Makinde of Oyo State nominated Seun Fakorede, 27, and a graduate of the Obafemi Awolowo University, OAU to serve in his cabinet. Apparently, this nomination did not go down well with some members of the ruling People’s Democratic Party, PDP, in the state as well as some senior citizens in the state.
Reacting to the nomination, the leaders of the PDP in Oyo State described the nomination as ‘unguarded’, because the commissioner elect is from the opposition party of All Progressives Congress, APC.
Justifying their call for the nullification of his nomination, the PDP leaders in the Ibarapa North Local Government Area, led by Samuel Olawuwo chairman of Oyo South senatorial district, said both Fakorede and his father had long left the party and worked against the victory of the governor during the election.
“We are not here quarrelling with the governor at all. We are not quarrelling with the Speaker. But we only want to express our concern about the man they picked. His father is a staunch member of the APC.
“During the campaign period, the governor promised us that anytime he wanted to pick either the commissioner or any other office, he would consult us, but he didn’t do that when he wanted to pick Fakorede.
“This man, whose son is now picked, is a staunch member of the APC. We totally reject his nomination,” he said.
Some senior citizens in Oyo state, took to the streets to protest against the nomination of Fakorede for the position of a commissioner.
Meanwhile, the youths in the state have come out en masse to back the nomination. Omosile ‘real name withheld’ chairman National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS Oyo State chapter, who led other students to declare support for Fakorede, said: “We are here in support of our brother on his nomination as a commissioner. This is a laudable nomination because for years, youths have been on the frontline of advocating that youths should be represented by youths.”
“I don’t know any party affiliations, but NANS as a body doesn’t care about party affiliations. What we care about is development. What we care about is competence.
“From the look of things and our background checks and intelligence reports, Fakorede is fit enough to lead the Ministry of Youth and Sports,” Omosile said.
Okorodudu Christopher, a sports enthusiast said that the position of commissioner for Youth and Sports can be best handled by the youth. “Right now in our society, the youth are engaging in various crimes and fraudulent act because they are not engaged in the building and running of our nation.
“Making a youth the commissioner for youths and sports is a welcome development so he can engage others and help to encourage few of them in the society at large that there is still hope for them in the government and in nation building,” he said.
Jude Anayo, another sports lover, said that it’s a good development. “Other governors should emulate Oyo state Governor by given the youths the opportunity to serve. For those saying that he is too young, the question is how old was General Yakubu Gowon when he was the Head of State.
“The youths can never learn unless they are given the opportunity to serve. And this appointment is an opportunity for Fakorede to show that Nigerian youths have what it takes to lead the country to prosperity, the time for the youths to serve is now,” he said.
He stressed that more youths as a matter of urgency should be given more prominent appointments like that of Fakorede to showcase their talents, skills and leadership qualities.
However, Fakorede has thanked all his well-wishers, especially youth for the “outpour of love” ever since the announcement of his new height. It was gathered that his social media pages have been buzzing with congratulatory messages from every nook and cranny of the country.
He said: “This is to express my gratitude to Nigerians, especially the Youth, for the outpouring of love and best wishes since my nomination as Commissioner was announced.
“I’m grateful. I’ve been overwhelmed since the announcement.”
He also expressed his gratitude to the governor of Oyo state and also addressed one of the requests from the Nigerian youth by stating that he won’t disappoint them as the ambassador of the youth constituency.
“I express my gratitude to our governor and I promise not to disappoint the Youth Constituency,” Fakorede said.
_AUG 30, 2019 @15:35 GMT |
Tags: Mixed reactions trail appointment of 27-year-old commissioner
