The 26th president of the United States of America, Theodore Roosevelt once said among his several quotes “Do what you can ,with what you have where you are” In other words, wherever one finds himself or herself presents a golden opportunity to leave an indelible mark while the sun shines.No wonder Roosevelt left a lasting legacy as a champion of progressive policies and conservation while his trust — busting efforts and initiatives protected natural resources ,shaping the nation’s development.
The Oyo state commissioner for ministry of energy and mineral resources, Professor Dahud Shangodoyin says he is thinking beyond the assignment in terms of infrastructural and human capital development but is already working on the legacy that will outlive his tenure as the one in.charge of the ministry where he was reassigned to by May this year.
In an exclusive interview with Crude Reports magazine at his Agodi secretariat office in Ibadan The commissioner said his ambition is to be able to make an impact that will ensure overall successful second term tenure of His Excellency Governor Seyi Makinde but also to leave an indelible mark that will be difficult to be forgotten in the entire state.He put it this way ” The most important thing I want God to do for me before I leave this ministry is for me to make sure that we reduce the energy needs deficiency in Oyo state” .
According to the Honourable commissioner, Oyo state needs nothing less than 500 megawatts of electricity supply per day but as at now,the state is struggling to cope with just between 70– 72 megawatts of electricity supply everyday. That to him can not run the economy that Governor seyi makinde is looking for in the pace setter state.
As a way of helping his dream materialise and by sheer confidence,The Governor he said has approved for immediate construction, installation and operation of a 12 megawatts Gas plant project expected to be actualized within the next 5 months.
The Gas plant when completed is to energise the state secretariat complex at Agodi, Broadcasting Corporation of Oyo State,( BCOS) at Orita Bashorun,The Government House which is undergoing reconstruction and renovation ,Ade Oyo state hospital,Ringroad, Total garden blood Bank, State hospital oluyole ,High Court, Jericho Nursing home and some street lights that will be provided along that route.
Oyo state Honourable commissioner for ministry of energy and mineral resources, answering questions from the editorial team of Crude Reports magazine led by Tunde olaore, editor in chief and Toyin Ajibola, the Editorial Adviser.
Professor Shangodoyin noted that the positive multiplying effect of this project once it starts working can not be imagined.In his words”This means that in terms of building capacity, in terms of training capacity, some of these areas will have education around that route,Health care around that route and businesses around that route,all will benefit tremendously from this project.If we can supply power to all these areas before 2027,we would have left something behind to say ” Thank you God for allowing us to have done this.That is my target and God will in his mercy help me to achieve it”
As part of a new initiative that the ministry of energy and mineral resources is trying to put in place ,the commissioner disclosed that from the last quarter of 2025,there will be numbering of all electricity poles in Oyo state with the exercise kicking off from Ibadan. The aim is to ensure easy detection of any damage done to the poles and make it easy for quick replacement by the staff of the ministry.
A professor of Statistics,The commissioner said he has the data of all the electric poles that is in Ibadan metropolis and what will be needed more.This will be replicated in all the cities in Oyo state. “I have the compendium of the data with me.The data will be updated every month and will be reliable so that whoever takes over from 2027 will have something to fall back on and continue using it”
A distinguished Academic turned Politician,Professor Shangodoyin said he is now working on the masters degree in the school of politics of Omituntun 2.0 under the leadership of Governor Seyi Makinde whom he described as a leader that is focused, hardworking, big-hearted and extremely passionate about service to Oyo state citizens and humanity in general.
On those who asked him.how he felt being moved from ministry of education to Establishment and training and later public works and Transport before his present assignment at the ministry of energy and mineral resources, his answer to them is this” His Excellency wants me to learn and I cannot learn on one spot hence he enjoys the movement because it has taught him several lessons on how to relate with politicians,political leaders at various levels of the state apart from the Professionals and Technocrats at the various ministries that he had been opportuned to serve”
A strong believer in the power of God to do all things ,Professor Dahud Shangodoyin throughout the interview that lasted less than 30 minutes was full of gratitude to God who has been faithful in helping him succeed in all the places of his duty posts with each having different peculiarities.
The commissioner has a word for those underrating the capacity of his Excellency Governor Seyi Makinde “It is a pity for those people because they do not know the pedigree of his Excellency that he is a man ordained to be great and he will be greater above their expectations”
