The first son of former governor of Oyo State, late Alhaji Lam Adesina, Dr Ayobami Lam-Adesina, has expressed doubt over the sustainability of the proposed Yoruba Nation hinging his argument on the inability of two states in the geopolitical zone to efficiently manage the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Ogbomoso together.
The scion of the Lam-Adeshina dynasty, while speaking in Ibadan, said it was a shameful thing for the two Yoruba-speaking states of Oyo and Osun not to be able to manage the institution together, adding that he felt embarrassed when he saw his compatriots jubilating when the two states stopped managing the affairs of LAUTECH.
According to him, “It was one development that made me sad. When my late dad was the governor of Oyo State and Papa Chief Bisi Akande was in the same position in Osun State, nobody heard of any fight or uproar over how the university was being run or funded. These were two great statesmen, these were two great sons of Yorubaland, and these were two great followers of Obafemi Awolowo. They were focused on how to maintain the heritage of the Yoruba Nation.
“I can say here that almost immediately after these two great men stopped being governors of their states, a crisis of management erupted in LAUTECH. At the end of the day, the two states stopped funding the institution altogether. This is a very bad omen. Those agitating for the emergence of the Yoruba Nation need to tread softly and study the situation on the ground. The present crop of leaders we have may not be able to sustain the proposed nation.
“Yes, if we move together to form a nation, it will be okay but then, our great leaders, late Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Chief Bola Ige and others did so well within the same Nigerian nation. So, why can’t those of us in this generation survive in Nigeria?”.
On why Nigeria is swimming in economic crisis and insecurity, Lam-Adesina, who has his PhD in Economic Development, said, “We should not put all the blame on the table of President Muhammadu Buhari. The governors, the local government chairmen should all take meaningful responsibility.
“I am more bothered about our governors in the South-West geo-political zone. When my late dad and others were in power, they ensured that many moribund industries under O’dua Investment Company Limited, like Exide (that used to produce vehicle batteries) and others were resuscitated to employ our youths. Nothing like that is happening today. Our youth are there roaming the streets after spending years to get educated. And everybody is now blaming Buhari. What is the major assignment given to our governors?
“Our governors in the South-West geo-political zone are responsible for the wellbeing of the Yoruba people. They ought to protect our heritage. I have a firm belief that we must not forget our source, we must go back to the ideologies of late Awolowo.”
The younger Lam-Adesina, who participated in 2015 All Progressives Congress (APC) gubernatorial primaries, explained that he threw his hat into the ring that time to contest against the then incumbent governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi “to stabilize and ensure the survival of the party at that time.”
He further described his father’s relationship with the former governor as cordial, stating that his father did not interfere in the administration of the state during that time as he was a firm believer in efficiency and justice.
Speaking on whether he still wishes to become the governor of Oyo State, he said, “That is not what we should be discussing now. We should be talking about how good governance will be instituted. We should be focused on how poverty and insecurity will be defeated. God alone knows what will happen in the future.”
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