In the Grandiose Parlor…

Governor Segun Mimiko, after Appeals Court ruled in his favor on Feb 23, 2009

“Ours is a people-oriented government in which we shall help the masses to take decisions that will empower and ennoble them; a people-driven development programme that involves ownership in conception, prioritisation, execution and monitoring,” Dr Segun Mimiko affirmed after taking the oath of office on February 24, 2009.

I will be writing more about the new state of affairs in the land of my heritage, Ondo State. For now, euphoria is high, and not unexpectedly, one is still in a state of pleasant shock.

If the unprecedented large crowd that gathered at the venue of the inauguration was anything to go by, one fact has been made clear: there is hope for Nigeria and democracy is far from dead!

Below are some excerpts (culled from newspaper reports) of Dr Mimiko inauguration statement:

Mimiko said while the administration believes in a liberalised, private-sector driven economy, ‘‘we shall not shy away from the obligation of government, especially in an underdeveloped economy like ours to intervene responsibly as a social obligation, in direct employment, subsidised social services like health and education, social housing, soft credit and other poverty-reduction mechanisms that will ensure that the weakest in society is given the opportunity to develop and actualise their potential.

“We must balance liberalism with social commitment to the weak and poor in the society. Our conviction is if government deliberately empowers people with knowledge and credit, it will ultimately develop the community.’”

On the policy outline, Mimiko, who promised to be closer to the people, urged them to cooperate with volunteers who would be coming to their communities with some forms in order to know them and their needs.

He said the administration would like to build a modern society where roads and waterways are functional and efficient and make commerce and the pursuit of happiness easier.

Mimko said he was aware of the people’s experience in relation to the free health programme of the former government, saying that his party would remain committed to providing free healthcare for all the children from ages 0 to 5 and all pregnant women from conception to delivery.

The governor also promised that the administration would remain unequivocally committed to free and qualitative education for all the children up to the Senior Secondary level.

‘‘Our scholarship scheme shall be merit driven. And bursary to our students in higher educational institutions across the country shall henceforth be paid on time to make such support system meaningful to the beneficiaries,’’ he said.