Ogun State Governor Prince Dapo Abiodun dismissed social media criticisms of his performance, stating that his political experience and accomplishments speak for themselves. Speaking at a meeting with the coalition of youth organizations at the Governor’s Office in Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, Abiodun emphasized his long-standing involvement in politics and his administration’s successes in various sectors.
“I became a national lawmaker at 35, which shows I’m not new to this. I don’t need to blow my own trumpet for people to feel my impact,” said Abiodun. He highlighted his administration’s achievements in health, education, infrastructure, and security as essential for socio-economic development.
Addressing social media attacks, Abiodun remarked, “I normally don’t get disturbed by such things because one of my mentors in politics told me that in politics, you must make sure that you are mentioned either for the right or wrong reasons, but be continuously mentioned because if you are not mentioned, you are just part of the crowd.”
Abiodun, who was elected governor under challenging circumstances, expressed confidence in his leadership. He noted the state’s Internally Generated Revenue growth from N50 billion to almost N200 billion in four years as a testament to his administration’s effectiveness. “Anyone saying Dapo Abiodun is doing nothing must be joking,” he added.
The governor outlined his administration’s policy focus areas: Infrastructure, Social Welfare and Wellbeing, Education, Youth Empowerment and Job Creation, and Agriculture, encapsulated in the ISEYA mantra.
He urged Nigerian youths to engage constructively with the government to find lasting solutions to the country’s problems rather than participating in potentially harmful protests. This comes in response to planned protests over economic hardship scheduled for August 1 to 10, 2024, by groups under #EndbadgovernanceinNigeria#.
Recalling the destructive EndSARS protests of 2020, Abiodun advised against actions that could exacerbate issues. “There is a Yoruba proverb that says ‘beheading is not the solution for a headache’. If there are issues, let us discuss them, let us find a way around them, and let us manage and correct them. Let us not cut off the head or attempt to cut off the head because of a headache. That will amount to decapitation,” he said.
Abiodun called on the youths to use their vibrancy, zeal, ingenuity, and technical know-how to help solve Nigeria’s challenges, emphasizing the need for unity and proactive engagement in these difficult times.