A Year of Disappointment: Kajola Local Government and the Burden of Wasted Opportunity

A Year of Disappointment: Kajola Local Government and the Burden of Wasted Opportunity

Two weeks ago, on a Monday evening, a few of us—young people from Kajola and its surrounding towns—were grooving at Sango, just opposite the police station in Ibadan. It was one of those casual hangouts where laughter flowed easily, and conversations danced from politics to pop culture.

Then someone mentioned, almost offhandedly, “It’s exactly a year since the Kajola Local Government executives were sworn in.”

I paused, turned to the group, and asked, “So, what has been their most significant achievement so far?”

The response? A chorus of shrugs and sighs. One person spoke up and said, “They haven’t been duly funded. The state government hasn’t released enough from the LG allocations.” Others nodded in agreement, repeating what has now become a common refrain.

But I told them point blank: those are rumors or at best unverified facts. Even if they were true, lack of funds is no excuse for the complete silence and inertia we’ve witnessed from the local government. The Chairman, the Vice Chairman, and the entire executive team have shown nothing but disappointment—especially given their exposure to private-sector wealth creation and development strategies. If anything, we expected better.

Then someone challenged me: “So what valid ways can they generate funds or drive development, such that people won’t even complain again?”

That was when we began to brainstorm. Four key points emerged from that conversation—four things the Kajola Local Government can do, should do, and must do to make a real difference. These are not dreams; they are practical, actionable strategies that can be implemented with or without state allocation.

First, the Chairman’s Quarters is Wasting Away. Transform It.

In the heart of Okeho lies the LG Chairman’s quarters—empty, neglected, and decaying. Yet, this space sits in a prime location and could be turned into a business and recreational hub. Why not invite private developers to reimagine that space?

It could become a modern center for relaxation, events, and entrepreneurship. Think co-working hubs, a mini amusement park, cafés, and a spacious hall for events. This isn’t just beautification—it’s wealth creation. With the new Federal University already approved for Kajola, such a development would thrive and become a hotspot for students and businesses.

Through a Public-Private Partnership (PPP), the government can enter a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with investors. Even individuals can be allowed to buy plots and build based on a government-approved plan. That building doesn’t have to be a burden—it can be the heartbeat of a new Kajola.

Second, End Open Defecation with a Public Toilet Revolution.

Okeho and its surrounding areas have long battled with the scourge of open defecation. It is a public health emergency that demands leadership—not silence.

Let the local government construct well-designed public toilets across major locations. Users can pay a token fee to access them. This approach will create jobs and generate income. The public health department should also be engaged to assign sanitation officers, host health education campaigns, and promote behavioral change.

It’s worth noting that when properly managed, human waste from these toilets can be converted to biogas—clean energy that can power streetlights and reduce our reliance on the grid. This isn’t just a sanitation project; it’s an economic and environmental breakthrough waiting to happen.

Third, Monetize Billboard Advertising in Kajola.

For a whole local government area, it is shocking—almost laughable—that no functioning, government-owned billboard exists. Do we not realize how much advertising revenue is being left on the table?

Billboards are an easy way to generate consistent income. They can be leased out to schools, businesses, politicians, telecom companies, and NGOs. Many local governments across Nigeria are already making millions monthly from this channel. Kajola can do the same. All that’s required is intentionality and action.

Fourth, Scale Up Agriculture Through Support and Mechanization.

Farming is the heartbeat of Kajola’s economy, but most farmers are still stuck in small-scale, subsistence methods. Why?

The local government owns tractors—valuable machines that are either lying idle or underutilized. These tractors can be deployed to support large-scale farming. Invite farmers to a stakeholders’ forum. Offer them access to land clearing, ploughing, and planting services at subsidized rates. Educate them on the opportunities in commercial farming.

With improved road networks and rail lines linking Okeho to larger cities like Lagos, there has never been a better time to move agricultural products to bigger markets. This is how to stimulate rural economy and empower the people.

A Final Word to Our Leaders

Leadership is not about giving excuses; it’s about creating solutions.

Kajola deserves more than ceremonial leaders and photo-op administrators. We need action. We need vision. We need commitment to the people. One year is already gone. The clock is ticking.

You still have time to rewrite the story—but only if you start now.

A Concerned Citizen from Kajola

Olowoyo Oreoluwa