…denied allegation of partisan politics
Twenty-seven-year-old Commissioner for Youth and Sports in Oyo State, Seun Fakorede recently said that his first contact with Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde was via a social media platform, LinkedIn.
Fakorede added that contrary to popular opinion, he has never been involved in partisan politics before now.
The Nigeria’s youngest serving Commissioner disclosed this in an interview in Ibadan recently.
Fakorede who said he feels good with his new appointment, noted that it is a call to serve the people and everything he is going to be involved with will be a continuation of his past works.
Speaking on how he connected with the state governor, the young Commissioner disclosed that he offered to volunteer as a member of Makinde’s campaign team in 2018 while he sought to be governor.
He added, that his intentions were not tailored to be part of his cabinet when he assumes office but to assist him in achieving his dream of being the number one man in the state.
“When the governor and I connected — we connected via LinkedIn — it was without the intention of this at all. All I said to myself was, just like I said, when I see people that could actually offer service to the country, I like to just volunteer. I have been into public service since as far back as 2003/2004.
“This was sometime in March 2018. I contacted him and told him I had been following his style of politics for quite some time and I was willing to volunteer in his campaign and that was how we started”, Fakorede said.
Fakorede noted that being young in age doesn’t mean he is incompetent for the job. He said he has being in public service long enough to know how to administer a system as well as treat every of his colleagues and subordinates with respect.
“I feel it is not just the country. I feel that if you run a particular organisation or establishment, it is not a function of how old you are. You have seen men in their 20s and you have seen boys in their 40s. It’s not a function of age as it were.
” If you can coordinate, manage and administer a system, it is a function of wisdom. The wisdom of dealing with them is what is required to run that ministry. As a Nigerian, there is a place of honour and respect.
“At the same time, there is a place of attending to your responsibilities the way it should be. By the special grace of God, I am going to act with responsibility in the assignment that has been committed to my hands, honouring everybody while being humble.”.he said
He however assured the people of Oyo state that he will assist Gov. Makinde to run an all inclusive government as he is just a ‘loudspeaker to the governor’s agenda’.
