Oloruntoba: Recognition Should not be Limited to Former Governors Alone

A public affairs commentator and political stakeholder in Ekiti State, Hon. Oloruntoba Samuel Abiodun, popularly known as OSAF, has called for a wider definition of public service and welfare, saying recognition should not be limited to former governors alone.

In a statement released to newsmen on Tuesday, Hon. Oloruntoba argued that teachers, doctors, security personnel, civil servants, political appointees and party members who served the state for decades also deserve meaningful recognition and support after retirement.“Are former governors the only people who have served Ekiti?” he asked.

“What about retired civil servants, political appointees, doctors, teachers, security personnel, and party members who dedicated years of their lives to serving the state? Don’t they also deserve recognition and support?”The Ekiti-born stakeholder said many ordinary public servants retire into hardship despite years of faithful service, and warned against a culture where welfare appears self-serving.

“It often seems to be about me, me, me — while many ordinary people who served Ekiti faithfully are struggling to survive after retirement,” he said.Quoting a Yoruba proverb, he added: _“Bamu bamu ni mo yọ, emi kò mọ bóyá ebi ń pa ẹnikẹ́ni,”_ meaning _“As long as I’m comfortable, I don’t care whether others are hungry.”

Hon. Oloruntoba clarified that he was not asking government to “feed everyone for the rest of their lives,” but was advocating for “fair valuation” of service across board.“Public service should be valued fairly,” he stated.

“If society chooses to recognize former governors for their contributions, it is also reasonable to ask whether other categories of public servants who devoted their lives to Ekiti should receive meaningful recognition and support as well.

He urged the Ekiti State Government, stakeholders, and traditional institutions to begin conversations on welfare frameworks that capture teachers, health workers, security operatives, civil servants and long-serving party members who form the backbone of governance at the grassroots.

The statement has since sparked conversations on social media and in community groups across Ekiti, with residents debating how best to honor all forms of public service.Hon. Oloruntoba Samuel Abiodun (OSAF) is a stakeholder and community leader in Ekiti State.