Owu Day Celebration: Gov. Makinde, Fashola, to Grace Ajibosin Platform Symposium, Oct. 24

As part of activities marking the 2025 Owu Day celebration, prominent politicians and intellectual figures including Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, former Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Fashola are among dignitaries expected to grace the Ajibosin Platform Symposium on Oct. 24.

The symposium coming up at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL), Abeokuta , with the theme “The Importance of Leadership in Governance,” is organised to stimulate meaningful dialogue on leadership values, governance ethics, and national development.

According to the event schedule, Fashola and Chief Osita Chidoka, former Minister of Aviation, will serve as Guest Speakers, Gov. Makinde will be the chairman of the occasion, while Dr. Muiz Banire, will deliver the keynote address.

Speaking at a news conference on Saturday ahead of the event, the Convener of the Symposium, Kazeem Bakinson, the Aare Mayegun of Owu Kingdom, emphasised that leadership remained Nigeria’s fundamental problem.

“We do not have leaders. The problem of Nigeria is leadership,” he said.

Bakinson explained that the Ajibosin Platform was envisioned as a non-political intellectual movement designed to promote integrity, accountability, and excellence in leadership.

He lamented the erosion of integrity and accountability in public life, stating that most governance failures stem from weak leadership and poor enforcement of law and order.

“Leadership is about integrity , doing the right thing when no one is watching. If we get leadership right, our roads will be better, hospitals will function, cultism will reduce in universities, and families will be better ,” he added.

Bakinson also criticised the disconnect between political leaders and the communities they serve.

He noted that many local government chairmen do not live in their constituencies, while 70 per cent of buildings lacked official approval , clear symptoms of leadership failure.

He also lamented the plight of law enforcement officers and teachers, arguing that they were underpaid and demoralised, which undermined discipline and governance in the country.

Bakinson added that Ajibosin Platform Symposium promised to be one of the high points of 2025 Owu Day celebration, bringing together leaders from across the public and private sectors to deliberate on how effective leadership could drive national transformation.