UNGA 2023: Governor Makinde and International Relationships, a Potential Economic Advancement for Oyo State|Tolu Adewusi, a member of GSM Advocates

Let’s first talk about how beyond party affiliations, the Oyo State Governor, His Excellency, Engr. Oluseyi Makinde has made progressive and productive relationships across board. Progressive and productive because looking through the network of people he relates with in the political sphere, one could easily deduce if without sentiments, that they are relationships built on values, nation building, and intentional leadership.

The one with the Grand Commander of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, though laced with several controversies, speculations and labeling, can also be easily classified objectively by the fruits it is bearing.

However, the subject of today is merely one of the by-products of that Governor-President relationship, as the Governor of the Pacesetter State was listed in attendance with the President at the ongoing prestigious United Nations General Assembly(UNGA) at the United Nations headquarters in New York, being the Governor’s second time in just two months to be listed with the President’s entourage to a foreign assignment.

The 78th session of the UNGA which has Governor Seyi Makinde amongst 5 other Governors from Nigeria in attendance, was tagged “Rebuilding Trust and Reigniting Global Solidarity: Accelerating Action on the 2030 Agenda and its Sustainable Development Goals towards Peace, Prosperity, Progress and Sustainability for all”.

The United Nations General Assembly is the main policy making organ of the United Nations; it is where and when action plans for member nations in the world are proposed and set in motion. It is where and when major world issues are deliberated and resolved. It is the meeting of world leaders. It is a network of global policy makers.

Aside from the distinct access that will grant Governor Seyi Makinde first hand information that will be available at the Assembly, his participation as a global leader, and the saturation of the venue with international leadership qualities; his antecedence in attracting investors to Oyo State through similar meetings which are even no where near to be compared in status to the UNGA, can assure the good people of Oyo State of a potential economic advancement that will be borne of the Assembly.

Apparently, the Governor has been more than resilient in his journey of improving himself in the business of governance. Making leadership summits a priority, making himself available for such summits, and placing values at the center of his relationships can only define him as an intentional leader and nation builder worthy of emulation by potential leaders and leaders.