By Olumide Akinrinlola
Criticism is essential in any society, especially when it comes to holding governments accountable. It serves as a vital tool for ensuring that those in power remain vigilant and responsive to the needs of the people. However, when criticism turns into blind negativity, it can hinder progress and fail to acknowledge positive developments.
Yesterday, Vice President Kashim Shettima commissioned the Onyearugbulem–Shagari/Irese Road Flyover and Junction Improvement Project in Akure. This initiative is a strategic infrastructure intervention designed to alleviate persistent traffic congestion and stimulate industrial and commercial development along the busy Ilesha–Akure–Owo Expressway.
The project promises to significantly enhance traffic circulation, improve road safety, and create opportunities for increased economic activities.
The commissioning of this project generated excitement and applause, particularly among Akure residents who have long endured the frustrations of traffic congestion and its associated challenges. However, just hours after the positive news, critics of Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa fell silent, seemingly overwhelmed by the wave of commendations flooding online platforms.
Yet, to my surprise, I awoke to find that some individuals continued to criticise the governor, not for neglecting the project, but for not naming the flyover after the late Rotimi Akeredolu or adequately acknowledging his contributions according to them.
Such criticisms annoy me. What do these critics truly want? I was once among those who voiced concerns about the Aiyedatiwa administration, but I have since recognised that many projects previously labelled as abandoned are now being revisited by the government. This indicates that our voices were indeed heard.
Criticism should not be a weapon aimed at destruction but a catalyst for constructive action. When a government takes steps to address the concerns raised, it is only professional for critics to acknowledge that progress. Governor Aiyedatiwa has publicly referred to the Akure flyover as part of the projects initiated by his late predecessor. He has consistently acknowledged Akeredolu’s role, promising to complete the projects he started.
It is essential to understand that naming a public project after a predecessor is primarily a moral and political convention rather than a legal obligation. In Nigeria, the authority to name or rename public assets lies with the current executive. There is no law mandating a successor to name a project after their predecessor; thus, a sitting governor or president can make such decisions at their discretion.
While Governor Aiyedatiwa is not without flaws, it is crucial to recognise and appreciate his commitment to the completion of this project. He could have easily abandoned it, as many others have done without consequence. For instance, the Ode-Aye/Igbotako Road project, initiated by the late Adebayo Adefarati, remains unfinished, with subsequent governors failing to prioritise its completion till now.
Critics should strive for decorum in their assessments. It is impossible to satisfy everyone; regardless of one’s actions, there will always be detractors. Even Jesus, who came to offer salvation, faced criticism, with some accusing him of being possessed by a devil.
I recall my own experiences with criticism: when I gained weight, friends accused me of overeating, and when I lost weight while fasting, they claimed I was unwell. People will always find something to say, whether you embrace a lavish lifestyle or choose simplicity.
As it is written in Matthew 11:18-20: “For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, He has a devil. The Son of man came eating and drinking, and they say, Behold a man gluttonous, and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners. But wisdom is justified of her children.”
Let us embrace criticism as a tool for growth while also recognising and celebrating the positive strides made by our leaders. It is time to move beyond blind criticism and engage in constructive dialogue that fosters progress for all in Ondo State.
Olumide Akinrinlola, Publisher of Starnews NG writes from Toronto in Canada
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