Chief Olusoga David a seasoned grassroot politician, a true progressive who over the years has served exemplary in various public offices was recently inaugurated as Special Adviser Political Matters to the Ekiti state Governor. In this brief interview session just after the inauguration ceremony, he spoke on the expectations & responsibilities associated with his new office.
Below is the excerpts of the interview:
INTERVIWER: Good afternoon sir, I believe a congratulatory message is appropriate so I want to start by congratulating you on your new appointment as the Special Adviser on Political Matters to Ekiti State Governor, can you please in your own words tell us about yourself sir?
INTERVIEWEE: I am Chief Olusoga David, former Commissioner Investment, Trade and Industry and to the glory of God, now a Special Adviser to Dr John Kayode Fayemi on Political matters.
INTERVIEWER: Sir this portfolio, you know as special adviser political matter comes with heavy responsibilities and surely expectations will be high from party members. Sir, how do you please intend to deliver on this current assignment?
INTERVIEWEE: I believe this position is by the grace of God and I have been called upon to bring forth my skills for service delivery. My grassroot experience, and my antecedents are expected to bring positive results, to ensure my party APC is solidly on ground in Ekiti state and to ensure that there is understanding and harmonious working relationship between government, the people and the party and to ensure future victories at the polls for our party.
INTERVIEWER: Well, I am also a grassroot ekiti son, and I can say sir, your name rings a bell within the political circle. Prior to your appointment as a Commissioner because you said that you are a grassroot politician, sir which appointments whether elective or otherwise have you held?
INTERVIEWEE: During the Zero party periods I was Councilor of my ward after retiring from the Civil Service in 1990 and by 1993 I was the PRO in SDP in Moba Local Government and thereafter I moved on to be the state Secretary of AD under the Chairmanship of Comrade George Akoshile, and thereafter I was a member of Ekiti State Broadcasting Service commission and there after I became the Chairman of Moba Local Government, thereafter and by the special grace of God I was made the Commissioner Investment, Trade, and industry.
INTERVIEWER: Alright Sir, to have been the Chairman of a Local Government I think that confirms your grassroot antecedent and experiences thank you on that one sir. Sir as our Special Adviser Political matters what message do you particularly have for Political office holders who are currently in service now?
INTEVIEWEE: My message is for them to be focused and to key into Dr Fayemi’s governments’ five pillars agenda, you have to ensure that you help him to realize his vision for Ekiti state because since you are part of his team you must play your own part you should not work in silos especially the commissioners, I employ them to please make sure they work with other Ministries to make sure they get result for this Government because at the end of the day result matters not reasons.
INTERVIEWER: Well, thank you sir for the opportunity you have given us on the interview, I think I would take just one last question and that question I think will be appropriate if we look beyond ourselves and look at the average party man, how do you intend sir in your current position to meet the aspiration of the ordinary party man on the street?
INTERVIEWEE: First of all, I have to ensure there is a synergy between government and the governed this I believe will ensure the ordinary people on the street receive dividends of democracy and to appeal to the people too to be part of this government by playing their own part by paying their taxes and abiding with other civic responsibilities. The government needs money to provide services for the various communities and individuals on the street so, mine is to act as a bridge between the government and the governed.
INTERVIEWER: Thank you very much for the time sir and once again congrats on the new appointment, I know that with your exemplary performance at the ministry, I know that you will succeed in this appointment as well sir so thank you very much sir.