Date Published: 06/17/09
Of June 12, democracy and Mimiko
by Kolawole Olabisi
In Ondo State, last Friday’s anniversary of the annulment of the June 12, 1993 Election was celebrated not in the usual manner. The Ondo State Governor, Dr Olusegun Mimiko led his cabinet members to mark the day in a unique manner by celebrating with the less privileged. XXXX who witnessed the occasion reports on how Dr. Mimiko feted the lepers, the motherless and the deaf
Their joy was spontaneous and they gave full vent to it. As soon as they sighted the convoy of the Governor, they all, in spite of their disabilities, trooped out of the little reception hall where they had assembled to welcome the August visitors amidst drumming and dancing.
For the inmates of the Ondo State Leprosarium, Ago-Ireti Settlement, in Akure, the Ondo State capital, last Friday, June 12, was a day of joy indeed as the State Governor, Dr Olusegun Mimiko and his entire cabinet decided to celebrate the June 12, 1993 Anniversary with them.
Indeed, as soon as Dr. Mimiko alighted from the coastal bus conveying him and his entire cabinet members, the Lepers mobbed him singing, dancing and thanking God that he was victorious in his 22-month struggle to reclaim his stolen mandate. And Mimiko responded their gesture in good measures, hugging, shaking their proffered hands and dancing with them as they led him to their reception hall. It was a moving sight to behold as both the Governor and the lepers sought to outdo each other in the rare show of camaraderie.
The above scenario was one of the moving scenes that played themselves out last week as the Ondo State Government decided not to follow the stereotype in the celebration of the annulment of the June 12, 1993 election won by the late Business mogul, Chief M.K.O. Abiola. Rather, it decided to celebrate it by visiting the less privileged in the society and bring joy into their lives. In quick succession, the entourage of Dr Olusegun Mimiko visited the Motherless Children’s Home, the Ondo State Leprosarium, Ago-Ireti Settlement, and the School for the Deaf all in Akure.
First to be visited was the Children’s Home where Mr. Governor interacted with the unfortunate children who were either abandoned by their mothers or lost their mother either during birth or shortly after. Aside from donating foodstuffs for the Home, Dr Mimiko inspected some of their dilapidated facilities and promised to immediately ensure that renovation works were carried out on several of them which were in sorry states. He immediately donated a brand-new 18-seater bus for the use of the children. He and his wife also played and dined with the little kids to the admiration of the matrons and workers of the Home.
At the Ago-Ireti Leprosarium, the patients were simply overjoyed when Dr Mimiko, without any inhibition, plunged into their midst, hugging, holding and shaking their gnarled and deformed hands.
Reminiscent of the electioneering campaign days, the people rolled out their drums, some even adorned in Mimiko campaign vests and caps singing and hooting: Iroko joo!Gba sibe, the Dr. Olusegun Mimikocampaign rallying cry during the build up to the April 14, 2007 gubernatorial election.
In their welcome address read by the leader of the Leprosarium, Pa Daniel Bamigbetan, an octogenarian, the inmates described the day as a remarkable day in the history of the settlement “as we all gather together to welcome the unshakable Iroko (as Dr Mimiko is fondly called by admirers) who fought gallantly and stood firm to regain his mandate as the people elected Governor of Ondo State. A Governor so loved by all the citizens of the State both young and old, even a very young child who could not call his father’s name now call Iroko Jo Gbasibe. The entire settlement rejoice with our visionary leader and we are very proud of you sir.”
The inmates were however, not without their demands which they tabled before the Governor. They include: increment in their monthly allowance; scholarship for their children especially the undergraduates; a new bus to enable them take their emergency patients to hospital in Omu-Aran in Kwara State for treatment; provision of employment for four (4) of their children who are now graduates; establishment of a Primary School for their children; hospital to cater for their eye problems among others.
In his speech, the governor disclosed that the reason why he decided to dedicate the June 12 Anniversary to the less-privileged was in conformity with the life and times of Chief M.K.O Abiola who identified with the less-privileged all his life.
“Ordinarily, to mark June 12, we had many options, we could have brought scholars and human rights activists to give lectures, we could organized rallies but we chose celebrate with people, who in spite of the vicissitudes of life, who despite their deformities, have not allowed their lives to be deformed. This Settlement is a symbol of hope which democracy stands for. We felt that today being June 12, we are happy that all that Abiola fought for and laid down his life for are now being fulfilled. He was a cheerful giver, a compassionate man. God endowed him enormous resources and he put smiles on the faces of people hence he was able to win the June 12, 1993 election before it was annulled. Abiola lived for those who the world felt had no hope; those abandoned and that is what we are trying to replicate today. Democracy is about compassion and we must show compassion for the less-privileged in our society.
And quickly, the Governor pronounced the magic words that sent the patients on a fresh paroxysm of joy. First, he gave an approval for the immediate employment of the four of the children of the inmates who have just graduated from various institutions of higher learning with effect from July1, this year despite the fact that there was still embargo on employment in the State. The lucky young men are: Dada, Ojo Oluwasanmi, HND in Accountancy from Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo; Olofintayo, OLadapo Festus, (Bsc ED), Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko; Adu, Sunday Peter, HND Agric Extension &Management and Ayodele Sunday, HND Insurance, Federal Polytechnic, Offa.
Next, Mimiko tickled the patients with the increment of their monthly stipend from N4, 500 to N8, 000 effective from the end of this month. And on top of these, he donated a new 18-seater bus for their use. The people simply went haywire and they were profuse in giving vent to their appreciation for the kind gesture.
Before the governor left, apart from the raw foodstuffs that were given to them to mark the event, he and his entourage partook in a meal of rice with the inmate to their eternal Joy.
Next, the entourage headed to the School for the Deaf where not a few tears were shed by the dignitaries who watched the stone deaf pupil do what their normal counterparts do as they danced to music which they could not hear. The Teachers of the School who could also not concealed their joy told Mr. Governor that he was the first Chief executive of the State to visit the Scholl in 15 years.
As was the case in the places visited earlier, Dr Mimiko commended the will of the deaf students to excel and make their lives meaningful despite their physical challenges. Having inspected their facilities, he promised to assist in putting in place facilities like hostels and functional classrooms. He immediately directed the Chairman of the Ondo State Water Corporation to put in place for the use of the students, two solar-powered boreholes pending the time the place would be linked with the Akure municipal water works. On top of this, he gave them the third 18-seather bus of the day to assist in taking them for all their outside engagements. For the pupils, they expressed their joy in sign languages and later when they could no longer hold their joy, they ran to the Governor and hugged him. It was a moving spectacle indeed.
