By Olaniyi Ajibola
In the critical evaluation of the concept of leadership, sensitivity is being considered as the most essential quality; according to political sociologists, a sensitive leader is always aware of every plight and challenge of the people and responds promptly to provide solace.
Unfortunately, there is serious erosion of sensitivity among African political leaders, which makes life so difficult and miserable for the people on the continent, with attendant socioeconomic quagmire and political instability.
However, antecedent and pedigree constitute very vital factor that distinguishes some certain individuals in the position of leadership, thereby making a significant difference and changing the ugly narrative of primordial error.
The speed of response by Governor Dapo Abiodun, to the envisaged economic predicament of the people of Ogun State in the face of subsidy removal from petrol, by providing immediate succour in kind and in cash, making him the first state executive to take action towards cushioning the effects of the deregulation policy among the people has elicited profound applause and commendation from all over Nigeria.
There is no doubt that Governor Dapo Abiodun, through sensitive leadership leads other Governors across Nigeria in interventional approach to emergency situations, he provides laudable template of social safety nets in which many of his colleagues follow.
Working assiduously and tirelessly within the dictates of his pillars of action popularly known as ISEYA, which encapsulates Infrastructure, Social Welfare, Education, Youths Empowerment and Agriculture, Prince Dapo Abiodun has indeed redefined governance in the Gateway State.
The latest of many of his recent interventions of great values amid present economic realities in Nigeria is the free Surgical Services embarked upon by the Ogun State Government.
The Executive Secretary of Ogun State Health Insurance Agency, Dr. Afolabi Dosunmu, had announced this about two weeks ago, during the flag-off of registration for the intervention held at the State Hospital, Ijaye, Abeokuta, where he disclosed that the intervention was a directive given by Governor Dapo Abiodun to provide succour to the people at this difficult time.
“We have a matching mandate from the governor for us to enroll 70,000 people and it is broken down to 20,000 pregnant women till they deliver even if the delivery is through cesarean section. The child is delivered, in the first six months, we will take care of its medical needs.
“We have also been asked to enroll 20,000 market women and 30,000 poor people in the state. Among the 70,000, any other person in the state that needs surgery, they have to come down and get their surgery done.
“The modalities are very simple as long as you are a resident of the state, as long as you have one surgical need or the other, you are free to walk into any of our state or general hospitals and enroll on the insurance scheme.
“The doctors there will assess you if it is a case that is ready for surgery and once all other perimeters have been concluded, we will get the surgery done”, the Executive Secretary excitedly announced.
Surprisingly, in less than two weeks that this intervention commenced, over 1,000 patients have been successfully operated and liberated from the shackles of ill-health, due to lack of financial capacities to seek medical attention.
The turnout was massive and astonishing, as if the people have been expecting such gesture from their Governor, it turned out to be a big relief for the beneficiaries who could not conceal their joy and gratitute to the Governor.
They were amazed by the timely intervention of the government in their trying moment, they really appreciate the level of sensitivity displayed by Governor Dapo Abiodun towards them, they praised the helmsman to high heaven.
For instance, Mrs. Saidat Dopemu and Miss Ogunsiji Waidat, who were the first and second patients to be operated at the Ilaro State hospital, appreciated the governor for the gesture, saying it would have been difficult to raise money if they were to pay for the operation.
Also speaking, Mr. Adisa Oladejo, whose son is to undergo a hernia operation at the Ilaro State hospital, thanked the governor for coming up with a brilliant idea at this difficult time, calling on those with serious medical challenges but lack the wherewithal to take advantage of the programme to sort themselves out.
Appreciating the governor further for the laudable initiatives, Taiwo Ojeje and Timothy Sowale, who had their operations at the State Hospital, Abeokuta, said the free surgery operations has given them a new lease of life, pledging to contribute their quotas to the development of the State as soon as they are feat.
Also commending the Governor, Mr. Owolabi Soletire, a resident of Abeokuta who was operated on lumps in the hand, elbow, and head said: “As soon as I saw the advert on the internet, I quickly ran down to the State Hospital, met with nurses and doctors who registered, carried out the necessary tests on me free of charge and today, they successfully carried out the operation. I want to appreciate God and our amiable governor for this free surgery.”
In the same vein, Mr. Sunday Alayade, who was operated on hernia, thanked the governor for allowing him to benefit from the programme, saying with the operation done, his health would return to normal.
Mrs. Arinola Adenuga, whose 6 years old son was operated on at the Ijebu-Ode State Hospital, expressed her happiness at the opportunity given to them by Governor Abiodun, saying that the burden of raising funds for the well-being of her son had been taken care of by the programme.
Also, 20-year-old Okuwobi Ayomide, 18-year-old Onaleye Solomon, and 13-year-old Olusola Abdulquazeem, who had Hernia operations at the State Hospital, Ijebu-Ode, thanked Governor Abiodun for the generosity extended to them.
Meanwhile, Prince Hakeem Awolesi, who is the Ogun state coordinator for 2023 medical /Surgical Mission 2024 in his remarks about the exercise declared: “I have been grappling on the best way to sincerely appreciate the amiable Governor of Ogun State, His Excellency, Prince Dapo Abiodun CON, on his handling of the recent Free Healthcare Surgical Intervention Fund Initiative.
“The Scheme afforded a large number of the indigenes of the State who had been waiting silently for the day of the Lord in their life only for Governor Prince Dapo Abiodun as part of the N5billion Special Intervention Fund solved their health challenges as well as enjoy one year post surgery under the Ilera D’ero Health Scheme.
“With this development, with utmost assurance, those who are yet to be touched and benefit from this need not lose hope but would be attended to through the State General Hospitals at a later date under Ogun Healthcare.
“The conglomerate of these people have sent their appreciations of opportunity for better and second chance to live to the Governor”.
The torrents of appreciations are endless, it is a moment of great honour for the Governornor, for being consistently responsive and responsible, by coming to the rescue of his people when they need him the most.
According to a great thinker, Leigh Hunt, ” The groundwork for happiness is good health”. Obviously, Governor Dapo Abiodun has given greatest happiness to the greatest number of people in Ogun State, through this free surgical intervention, a liberation of sort.
*Ajibola writes from Abeokuta.
