•How Not-Too-Young-To-Run is inspiring other youths
Thirty-two years old, Edwards Adebo Ogundoyin, Speaker of Oyo State House of Assembly, spoke with ROTIMI AGBOLUAJE in Ibadan on many issues, including the Open Rearing and Grazing Regulation Act 2019, his journey to the coveted office and the roadmap for the development of the state. The Agronomy graduate said it would be difficult for government to regulate social media. Excerpts:The state’s House of Assembly passed Open Rearing and Grazing Regulation Act 2019 under your watch but some group claims it is against their interest. What is your reaction to this?
The truth is that we’ll always have issues like that especially when some people are aggrieved and I’m actually happy that they consider going to court to seek justice and that is what we encourage responsible people to do. I believe the case had been in the High Court once. I think it was Justice Wale Thomson at a time, who ruled against open grazing. It makes no sense that a farmer would have to fence his whole farmland to protect his crops against a tradition that is not practised in any part of Nigeria.
So, whether in the court, whether in the state, the legislators or the judiciary, there is no hiding place for the destruction of property, especially when it will affect the economy of a certain area or region. But since then, I also read in the news that they have shelved their desire to go toe court and rather they would have to find a middle ground with the state government in moving forward.
As a speaker, what efforts are you making to initiate bills that will ameliorate the suffering of your people?
Well, the government works hand-in-hand, whether the legislature or the executive. But I’m very glad that the executive is working closely with the legislature to bring about changes in all local councils and development areas. I can’t be selfish and just focus on my own constituency as the Speaker. But also I have responsibilities to my constituency. I’m glad that the present administration has recognized Ibarapa as the food basket zone of the state. Recently, the governor just approved N7.6 billion agriculture funds that will be invested in Akofo and Eruwa farm settlements. Anywhere such fund is injected into, no matter the region, it shall be felt economically.
Apart from that, we are also working on bills that will also support Adeseun Ogundoyin Polytechnic. This is because the campus is in dire state. The last administration also showed us what its focus was, but I can tell you it was not on education. So, we’re trying to revive and boost the economic development of the region. So, whatever bill we pass in the state affects all regions, all local councils equally and fairly. So, I will not make a bill that will just favour only my own constituency but rather the whole Oyo State.There have been calls for the lawmakers in the country to make legislative duty part-time rather than full time. What is your reaction to this?
Even as full time members, they can barely cover what they are supposed to cover. To be honest, the perception by the general public is, ‘what are the lawmakers doing?’ I also had that kind of perception before I got into office. I was of the same opinion and always wondered what they were doing, that they are just sitting down and talking three days in a week. But the legislative work that goes behind closed doors is immense and goes beyond what anybody can actually think of. I can assure you that ever since I got into office I haven’t had rest. Even when we went on recess, we were still in the office working. We were working on the re-aligning of the ministry, on confirmation of commissioners, on screening of commissioners, going through their curriculum vitae (CVs) to make sure that Oyo State has the best candidates for these positions.
Aside that the oversight function of our job is actually very immense. We’re talking about water corporation, ministries, all agencies, all the departments that we actually have to monitor and carry out oversight functions to make sure that all the tax payers’ money is being judicially or responsibly spent. Imagine the work that goes in to it. Even with full time, we don’t have enough time. So, the call for part time is just for people who don’t really know what the legislature is about.
What motivated you into politics?
To make a difference in my constituency; that was the first drive. Another thing is that the legacy of my father is not complete yet. I’ll like to add to that. They always say, “A good name is better than riches” and it comes from the Bible. I’ve seen the effect of the good name that he has in my life. From school to different places, it has got me out of tight situations and given me favour. No amount of money could’ve given me all those things that I got based on the good name that he had. So my own dream also is to build a good name for myself, for my children to move into the next generation. Also, the other reason is seeing people suffering, believing that I can make a difference and that the youths should be given a chance. I just put all of those together and decided to get into politics.
How would you describe your father who many knew to be a great philanthropist?
To be honest, it was one of the key factors why I joined politics. What he achieved over 28 years ago before he died in 1991 put me in a position whereby I have to continue the legacy. Speaker If not, who will continue the legacy? My brothers are engineers; my sisters are doctors; they are financial investors. Everybody is just doing their thing, but I felt like the contribution to our local council at home, to our area, to our town. It wasn’t complete yet; his Speaker vision isn’t complete yet. So, I thought my capacity in politics would drive more development to my region and play my own part in completing the legacy of my father.
We have the youngest commissioner in the state from your zone, Ibarapa. How is the area?
You know in Ibarapa; we are known for many great things. The largest amount of twins, I believe, is from Ibarapa zone as well. I mean, this is just one of the great feats that we are achieving which nobody evidently understands. Doing what I did is not just by my own power but by the support I got from our fathers in politics, my mentors and everybody came together to support it. I think I was being seen as a kind of poster boy for Not-Too-Young-Run which a lot of people around the country actually rode on. It was not my own doing. It is my desire that other young people get into politics so that they can inspire other young people as well. So as long as you inspire the first person, more and more young people Speaker will join politics so that when the elderly statesmen retire, we will be well equipped to take over from them.
As a beneficiary of Not-Too-Young-To-Rule Act, how do you see yourself as Speaker of the House of Assembly?
The legislature is a very unique arm of government, different from the executive and the judiciary. But the fact of the matter is that I didn’t get here by myself. I was put here by my colleagues who voted me in unanimously and for me to lead the state House of Assembly probably based on my experience from the 8th Assembly and also because of the way I conduct myself. But what I can assure you is that I have all the support I need. From the executive, the judiciary and even from the House itself, the staff, the honourable members; everybody supports this present administration. So, I’m in a good place. I feel that my performance, as the speaker, will also encourage more youth to join politics based on the encouragement that ‘if he can do it then we can do it, too’. My victory at the poll inspired other youths to pick up forms and now they are here in the House with us. And I know they’ll also do the same thing. They’ll inspire other youth. You know it’s like an avalanche and all it takes is for one person to do it and that is the dream.
