Tunde Eso is the author of African Security Solution the book that was published in UK 2012 and a Political Scientist In this interview with Hrh Prince Olusile ( D-Blaze Entertainment), he spoke on the situation in Osun state and his plans to give the people visionary leadership if elected as governor.
Excerpts:
What do you think can be done to solve insecurity problems in Africa especially Nigeria?
Security is key to ensuring growth in any society. You can imagine that the actions of Boko Haram that commenced in the North, Nigeria is now treading the Western part of Nigeria and imagine they have extended their activities to neighbouring countries in the effort to capture the whole of Africa. They have been able to move thus far because governments in Africa have been careless about taping on the provided solution by people like us. For some years now, I proposed e-policing, the involvement of community leaders, youth coordinators, and youth empowerment by situating youth centres all over the continent where they can lodge complaints and get skills acquisition that will engage them and put them off negative tendencies.
Fix electricity in Africa, then you have employed 75 percent of the youth in the continent, because they will yield for massive industrialisation and will be totally engaged. Security problems will be reduced and we will be sure of economic growth in Africa.
Insecurity is one of the major problems of political instability because it will make political holders to be flippant in their attitude towards the growth of the nations in the continent. For instance, the internal crises in various African countries such as Somalia, Sudan, Congo and Central Africa Republic whose growth and development have been stagnated for so long because of internal conflicts.
The task of rebuilding Africa is in the hands of both the government and the governed, which constitute the civil society. Since security is paramount to the existence of any country, government which is the body saddled with the administration of the State will play the major role in ensuring the security of the youth in all ramifications, be it physical, social, economic, educational and in career.
What are the strategies that should be put in place to achieve this?
In achieving these, leaders should ensure good governance by drawing-up and implementing policies which are pertinent to the protection and well-being of the youth. Governments should build state capacity to maintain law and order, by equipping the police and other law enforcement agencies. They should also strengthen mechanisms for conflict prevention, management and resolution. African leaders should also show more commitment to the promotion and protection of right of the youth, as stipulated in their various constitutions. There should be avenue for the youth to seek redress in the law courts, when their rights are abused.
Moreso, governments should introduce youth integration initiatives, by promoting the role of the youth in socio-political and economic policy-making processes, in order to give them a say and better still, a sense of belonging in shaping their future. African governments should endeavour to empower the youth, through the provision of educational, economic, social and political opportunities in order to secure their careers and aspiration in life.
But the youth who is at the receiving end is also facing the security challenges in question.
Conversely, the youth whose security is being endangered, have a part to play in addressing youth security. There is need for African youths to be politically conscious, by participating in political activities which shape their status in the society. They should be involved in elections, by electing visionary leaders who have their interest at heart. Furthermore, youths should take their destiny in their hands by assisting the State law enforcement institutions to address issues relating to security.
The war against corruption in Nigeria appears to be the major agenda of President Muhammadu Buhari-led government. What else do you think can be done to achieve a better result from this agenda?
Government should give education to all especially those at the primary level, then their parents won’t need to steal to send their children to private schools. They should also make the society a cashless one except for emergency with clear evidence.
Have you been involved in politics?
Yes, I have been involved in youth leadership for two decades: I have led as National Secretary, National Youth Leader and South west, Youth Leader and I have supported more than three Osun State Governorship candidates in electioneering campaign processes as state campaign secretary to Chief Oluyemi Olowu (ROCO for Osun governor in 2003), Ilesa west local government coordinator for Dr. Bayo Faforiji for Osun Governor in 2002-2003 and was active member of Youth Alliance For Obasanjo (YAFO) in 1999-2003 and Youth Alliance For Still (YAFA) in 2003. Was Secretary Ilesa Liberation Movement 2002 which I drafted the constitution of the organization and more. All these antecedents was under People’s Democractic Party. Before I went to tertiary institutions, I was encouraged by one Mr. Bankole who was my Church elder at the age of 24 told me to go and run for councillorship election in my town when he saw in me great leadership qualities. So I contested under People’s Democratic Party (PDP) which I was asked to step down for another candidate by Chief Ebenezer Babatope, the chieftain of the party, same in 2007. I was also called by party leaders to come for a run election again in 2011. I was called by one of my clients and business man in Osun to come and run Osun Governorship election in 2014 under People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and in the process my people said they prefer I run for House of Representative or local government chairman, then we started meetings and campaign. Meanwhile, since PDP lost to All Progressive Congress (APC), everyone returned home. But recently, some youth and elders in Osun came to meet me in my house that due to my intellectual acumen displayed in the society and my contribution to human cum nation development, they will prefer me as the fifth Governor of Osun State.
From which party are you likely going to contest?
We are still working on that
A group said its the turn of Osun east to produce Osun next governor, while others said any indigene have the right to contest Osun governor, what is your take on that?
I like to respond with the following analysis: no doubt that most Nigerians wish to live abroad, especially USA yet never wish to take to the rule or principles of leadership styles to develop Nigeria; every great and successful leader in developed countries never share, rice, bicycles, cars to kowtow people for votes, they rather adopt display of sagacity, antecedents and intellectual acumen starts from George Washington 1st President of USA, John Kennedy, John Adams 2rd President of USA, Thomas Jefferson 3rd President, Abraham Lincoln 16th president of USA, up till Bill Clinton, even in Africa with Nelson Mandela, Barrack Obama wouldn’t become first black-American president of USA if they adopted rotational politics and Hillary Clinton who will become the first female president of USA after her husband had done it. What a country! Its not that USA never faced all the doldrums we are facing in Nigeria after Christopher Columbus discovered their name but they set a pace for their country under the following characteristics: Vision, integrity, dexterity of purpose and love for the country superseded all other plans or strategies for one to lead them. Beloved, Osun indigene, do we single out and entrust leadership someone who can ensure growth through a clear Vision or we maintain rotational policy that each zone comes with the mind set to amass our money to their purse in order to cater for girlfriends and families and still oppress us with it. Therefore, no such thing in Osun polity, so people are just saying that to defranckise others and If we must grow, we have to change our thought pattern and regard history.
How do you hope to make a difference in Osun if elected governor?
Beyond all, I am a visionary and I got my vision at age 19, so I am sure of whatever I am saying. Visionary leaders are better leaders. They are compassionate and altruist in nature. Osun is no doubt an agrarian State. So, I intend to make our farmers and people enjoy the benefits of work through empowerment and provision of support for them. I intend to build on the good works my predecessors; to take advantage of information and communication technology (ICT); to provide social amenities and empower the youth cum the aged. I will make sure to improve on the availability of water, food and shelter to stop depending on importation, and I believe government has no business in business. The role of government is to create an enabling environment by ensuring security of lives and properties; good roads, effective railway system and tax-friendly system. When government creates an enabling environment, industries will spring up. I have started talking to Osun indigene and other investors to come and invest in Osun. We have gold that has not been adequately tapped for the benefit of the citizens. My State is known for tourism which is a source of foreign exchange. We have Osun Shrine, Erin Ijesha waterfall and so on.
My manifesto includes: Pass to travel for artists in Osun State; creation of mortgage bank for artisans; civil servants, youths, widows, widowers, market women and men and others to run short and long terms businesses. Free education for first school leaving certificate students and scholarship will be given to secondary and tertiary students among other benefits; serial empowerment for religious and traditional leaders; upliftment of sporting activities in the State; provision of low cost housing and advancement of our transportation system. We would ensure that our natural resources are used to better the lot of Osun citizens through massive involvement of local and international investors. Meanwhile, as regard politics in Osun, we need a visionary youth to run the affair the State from 2018 so that Osun citizens can feel and enjoy dividend of democracy, you can draw sample from the new young Ooni of Ife.
For materials, others form of support and enquiries call: tundeeso@yahoo.co.uk +234 803 827 2210, +234 805 748 2794