National Issues
Madam Commissioner, Please Pick Your Call -By Toheeb Babalola
I believed that the Honourable Commissioner is attending to the good policies of His Excellency, Engr. Seyi Makinde that’s why she keeps pending journalists’ calls.
Governor cannot independently run all the affairs of the State by excluding helping-hands. That’s why there is a provision in the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,as amended, for the appointment of Commissioners that will act on behalf of the Governor in all aspects of the economy.
Governance, which ought to be people-oriented but the public office holders are making it inaccessible for the people. Without any political connection, political appointees should able to interact and attend to the needs of the people whenever they call or visit them in their Ministries, Departments and Agencies.
On Wednesday, 26th July, 2023, the people’s governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde sworn-in newly appointed Commissioners who had successfully passed the scrutiny of the House of Assembly as stated in the Constitution.
The main reason for this process is to shift governance’s loads from the Governor. The fact is that Seyi Makinde cannot be attending to people directly and in person. Hence, people need to go straight to the ministries, departments or agencies, MDAs, to lodged complaint and meet the Governor’s representatives.
Since her appointment as the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Inclusion, Dr. Toyin Balogun, has been up on her game. We have seen some public occasions vowing about the readiness of the state government through her ministry to cater for the vulnerable people.
However, she neither answer calls from people nor attend to them in her office which seems opposite to her claims.
I am a Journalist and advocate for People with Disabilities (PwDs), Vulnerable people and inclusive government. I have recently written some reports on marginalised people within Oyo State, most especially in Ibadan.
I have been trying to reach out to the Honourable Commissioner through phone to get her attention to some claims made by the public for a week and the phone keeps ringing with no answer.
I believed that the Honourable Commissioner is attending to the good policies of His Excellency, Engr. Seyi Makinde that’s why she keeps pending journalists’ calls.
Nevertheless, I will like to engage the honourable Commissioner in an interactive session, if she permits me.
