How are you?
I have just about two weeks left of my vacation and I am trying to make the most of this rest period. Just the other day, I spent the day with my daughter Feyi, my son Tayo, and his friend Daniel.
We played pickleball, and I could not help noting the similarities between this game and good governance. The results of the games we played also made me smile.
So, I decided that in today’s newsletter, I would share a few practical lessons I learned from a game of pickleball that can be applied to governance. But first, let me tell you a little about the game for those unfamiliar with it.
Pickleball is like Lawn Tennis, but you use a smooth-faced paddle instead of a racket. (You can see my paddle in the picture).
The ball is a little larger than the tennis ball but almost half its weight because the pickleball ball is hollow and perforated. And that’s where strategy comes in.
Winning in a pickleball game is not just about power. You have to place shots wisely, anticipate the opponent’s moves, and adapt to changing circumstances during the game. So, you have to be strategic in pickleball.
Similarly, strategy is very important in good governance. Leaders must anticipate challenges, plan for the long term, and adjust policies as needed to achieve sustainable development.
During our first term in office, we made the strategic decision to focus on connecting all five zones in Oyo State with major road projects before addressing feeder roads in the State.
This decision was heavily criticised because it was unusual and more painful than what previous administrations had done. But we made this decision because of the anticipated future growth of our economy, and it is paying off.
When I consider how much costs have doubled and tripled in some cases, it would have been impossible to embark on those projects now. For instance, the 65 km Moniya-Iseyin Road, which we reconstructed for about N10 billion in 2019-2021, will cost about three times that amount now.
Our foresight and anticipation of change paid off in more ways than one. Also, in keeping with our strategy, we are now addressing feeder roads across the State to the extent possible.
Secondly, pickleball, like governance, involves collaboration, especially when playing doubles—as I did with my kids and their friends. In Oyo State, we are quite invested in partnerships with the private sector as we pursue sustainable development. And because we believe that development and roads are like twins, we are always willing to support businesses within and outside Ibadan.
So, we are presently keeping our promise to Psaltry International at Iseyin with this ongoing feeder road construction.
Before I go, I said earlier that the result of the pickleball games that we played made me smile. So, if you are wondering why… We played three sets, and I moved to a new team for each set. My team won each time. This in itself is a lesson which I will leave you to figure out.
Talk to you again soon.
