We all know of Awolowo and his very successful free education scheme. However, only a few know the men that did the groundwork: Professor Stephen Awokoya, Professor Segun Ogunseye, Professor Hezekiah Oluwasanmi, Professor Sam Aluko, S. L. Akintola, Chief Simeon Adebo, Head of Civil Service, Western Region, among others.
They said Baba, it can be done. Baba said give me a template. They gave him the current number of students, the expected number when the scheme kicks off, how much it will cost and the means of getting the funds: the works.
There is still Jakande, who once governed Lagos State. What I know about him is in the many housing schemes named after him in the state. There is still a BIG OGA who says 'I don't know what to do for Baba Jakande. But for his education policy, I would have been a criminal today.'
Unfortunately, the many that benefited from these have collectively decided to make everything difficult for others.
Today, it is just "I will build roads, hospitals, steady electricity, bring down rains in December, turn your gari to dollars and make sure your tap flows with sweetened water."
Ask them how they plan to achieve these, and they begin to deny words on marble.
It is amazing that no one asked anyone questions as elementary as "what kind of food? where can we get it from? how many are we feeding? for how long...?"
The danger is still ahead if same lack of planning follows other promises that should ensure sustainable CHANGE.
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