I have done my best to uplift Oyo State -Alao-Akala

Posted by admin Headlines, Oyo, State News Thursday, May 19th, 2011

THE Oyo State governor, Chief Adebayo Alao-Akala, has said he used his classical style of administration (O yato) to make a mark, so as to make the state better than he met it in 2007.

Governor Alao-Akala said this while playing host to members of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in the state, who came on a “thank you” visit.
He thanked the journalists in the state, saying that “I enjoyed working with you, especially when you abide by the ethics of your profession.

“I urge you, as we’re leaving, don’t try to be sensational. We’re still together. Oyo State is my constituency; I will live here after leaving office.

“After leaving, please cross check your facts, don’t use my name to sell [news] papers. We’ve done our best. As our alias (O yato), we’ve been able to make a difference in health, agriculture and what have you.

“We’ve adhered strictly to our 13-point agenda. We had the opportunity to make a difference and we have faithfully made it. We’ve been able to rule the state with the fear of God.

“When I first entered the Broadcasting Corporation of Oyo State (BCOS), I shed tears, but today, you can all testify to it. They don’t use obsolete equipment anymore. That’s one of the many things we’ve been able to do. We leave everything to the people to judge.”

Governor Alao-Akala, advised the journalists that the profession did not give room for speculation, adding that “don’t try to be sensational, if you’re in doubt of anything and you can’t confirm, the ideal of the profession says leave out.

“In those days, you believe whatever you read in newspapers, but today you cross check before you believe. To some of us, if we’re in the headlines, it increases your sales. But I enjoyed it, it’s part of what makes us sit right.”

The outgoing governor said contrary to speculations, he was not afraid of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), adding that he had a name to protect.

“I used Akala because my father protected the name. So, on my own part, ‘mi o fe j’aye awon omo mi m’aye’ (meaning I don’t want to destroy the future of my children). I am not afraid of EFCC, I am not afraid of anybody. Don’t let anybody use you to get a screaming headline,” he said.

Earlier, the state NUJ chairman, Mr Gbenga Opadotun, had said the union could not deny the gesture of the governor towards it, a feat he described as unprecedented in the history of the union in the state.

-Tribunewp_posts