Must We Engage in Politics Before Contributing To Community Development?
N.B: THIS IS A LECTURE DELIVERED BY OLADIPUPO SEFIU (B-URSELF ) ON 07/04/16
I would like to begin this lecture by thanking the great administrators of this group for giving me the honour to present this prestigious lecture, titled "Must We Engage in Politics Before Contributing to Community Development? " I am OLADIPUPO Sefiu (B-URSELF )
It will amount to a waste of time giving definition to the terms in the topic as I believe they are self-explanatory enough, to spare us this, I will enter into the topic in proper. A proper dissection of the topic is assuming that being in politics is one of the ways or avenue to develop one's community
Even in developed countries where politicians are committed to discharging their duties, governments still need help. Governments are built by many people, no single great leader alone builds a good government alone The quality of any government again depends much more on the sum of the small leadership quality of its citizens
It is incumbent on us to help our government and by doing so, we are helping ourselves. It is therefore important to note that, developing a community does not have to be at the scale of solving all problems of the community. This is not to diminish the importance of it, but to encourage all of us to take on some of the smaller-scale problems or opportunity that might be lurking right outside our front door.
It is traditionally believed that to develop a community, the two factors of production which are labour and capital are essential. Surprisingly, many are not cheered up to this duty with an excuse of capital as their limiting factor!
This is why the development song of today's youth and not willing-to-do politicians in developing the community has always been capital! Capital!! Capital!!! It is not about how much money you can throw at an issue. Sure, money can help, but in my experience, most organizations and initiatives use their time, talent, and willingness to roll up your sleeves in developing their community.
Examples of these institutions where people use their God-given talents to better the society are Iwo Board of Trustees (IBOT)
Iwoland Development Coalition (IDC)
Iwo Action Council (IWAC) and of course, this very platform (YLF).
I challenge us to make inquiries on how to become a member of these groups and join one! These groups don't necessarily criticize the government of the day practically do things to send message/signal to politicians on how things should be done.
Here this: "I want to recall an episode again, when it was discovered that government officials at Local, State and Federal levels were falling over another to construct boreholes all over the places, and which boreholes dry up a day after inauguration, the Mogaji Idris Family (RABSHI IMEC Ltd ) Iwo decided to construct one borehole at a strategic place to serve as template for public service.
Several years after to date )while the borehole donated by the Mogajis to the public is still functioning till date, how many of such boreholes, deep Wells, motorized boreholes, solar-powered boreholes, culverts, road etc are still in use? " -Excerpt from the lecture by Hon. Justice Oyejide Falola from a lecture title PATRIOTISM AS A SINE QUA NON FOR SOCIO-ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT at FILSU OAU Chapter, Eko/Eki day 2016)
This is what we call community development per excellence and a good way to put politicians on their toes. Here is the list but not limited to what you can do to contribute to the development of your community without necessarily being a politician
1.Orientating the young ones about the importance of tertiary education
2.volunteer to clean up trash around your neighborhood (Don't just litter the environment by throwing your waste )
3.Visit the orphanage homes
: 4.sharing of knowledge and ideas
5.join or start a community security group
6.create a mural that depicts the value of your community anywhere you go
Now, As good as it is to have a zeal for the development of your community. There is a limit to what you can do if you want to practice zero politics in your community
You may be incapacitated to exercise your philanthropic idea with the policy of the government of the day. It is good to participate in politics in making the right decision for society. BUT Your sincerity has to be checked if by the reason of developing your community is why you are abandoning your own career or profession
What should be paramount to a sane community developer should be self-development before going into politics. Don't graduate from school to be a politician. I am of the opinion that politics shouldn't be a profession.
I challenge us to make inquiries on how to become a member of these groups and join one! These groups don't necessarily criticize the government of the day practically do things to send message/signal to politicians on how things should be done.
Here this: "I want to recall an episode again, when it was discovered that government officials at Local, State and Federal levels were falling over another to construct boreholes all over the places, and which boreholes dry up a day after inauguration, the Mogaji Idris Family (RABSHI IMEC Ltd ) Iwo decided to construct one borehole at a strategic place to serve as template for public service.
Several years after to date )while the borehole donated by the Mogajis to the public is still functioning till date, how many of such boreholes, deep Wells, motorized boreholes, solar-powered boreholes, culverts, road etc are still in use? " -Excerpt from the lecture by Hon. Justice Oyejide Falola from a lecture title PATRIOTISM AS A SINE QUA NON FOR SOCIO-ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT at FILSU OAU Chapter, Eko/Eki day 2016)
This is what we call community development per excellence and a good way to put politicians on their toes. Here is the list but not limited to what you can do to contribute to the development of your community without necessarily being a politician
1.Orientating the young ones about the importance of tertiary education
2.volunteer to clean up trash around your neighborhood (Don't just litter the environment by throwing your waste )
3.Visit the orphanage homes
: 4.sharing of knowledge and ideas
5.join or start a community security group
6.create a mural that depicts the value of your community anywhere you go
Now, As good as it is to have a zeal for the development of your community. There is a limit to what you can do if you want to practice zero politics in your community
You may be incapacitated to exercise your philanthropic idea with the policy of the government of the day. It is good to participate in politics in making the right decision for society. BUT Your sincerity has to be checked if by the reason of developing your community is why you are abandoning your own career or profession
What should be paramount to a sane community developer should be self-development before going into politics. Don't graduate from school to be a politician. I am of the opinion that politics shouldn't be a profession.
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