By Comr. Bright Olorungbotemi Tunde (One Class)
Reflecting on the journey that has prepared Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa of Ondo State for his current role is almost redundant, as his extensive experience speaks for itself.
His Excellency, Aiyedatiwa has previously distinguished himself in several capacities: He was the APC candidate for Ilaje/Ese-Odo federal constituency in 2015, served as a commissioner of the Niger Delta Development Commission, and occupied the seat of Deputy Governor from 2021 to 2023 under the late Governor Rotimi Akeredolu. These roles have undeniably prepared him for his current leadership position as the incumbent governor of Ondo State.
Governor Aiyedatiwa has inherited a legacy of quality leadership and selfless service from his predecessor.
While, His achievements in his first 100 days in office are noteworthy. They include; Grant’s to young entrepreneurs (₦30M), training 618 young people in tech skills, payment of WAEC fees for secondary school students (₦550M), loans to traders, artisans, and SMEs (₦220M), recruitment of teachers, construction of rural roads across the state (₦3.4B), rehabilitation of 60km of roads across the state, and recruitment of 650 health workers. These accomplishments demonstrate that Governor Aiyedatiwa has indeed hit the ground running.
Ondo State, known for its hospitality and peaceful people, continues to thrive under his leadership. Following his initial successes, Governor Aiyedatiwa has distributed Tricycles to farmers, increased grants to young entrepreneurs from ₦30M to ₦60M, proposed the construction of two new technical colleges to promote skill acquisition, intervened in the Ikare Central Mosque saga, distributed 1,200 tonnes of palliative grains to livestock farmers, enhanced lighting in the state capital (Alagbaka to Igbatoro Road), supported efforts to restore electricity to Ondo South, unveiled an e-learning platform for youth training.
Also, He has rehabilitated water facilities, recruited 165 ODIRS staff, addressed unemployment and created more jobs, cleared salary arrears of ex-political office holders after seven years, deployed more buses for free shuttle services for school pupils, protected border communities, commissioned a power substation in Ondo South, declared support for a new generation of farmers and boosted the economy with cocoa production, donated relief materials to 300 Akure North residents affected by a rainstorm, commenced the Oda Road dualization project, awarded wage increases to cushion the effects of fuel subsidy removal, initiated the construction of a concrete walkway and jetty at Obe-nla, Ilaje, and ensured the prompt payment of workers’ salaries.
Governor Aiyedatiwa has emphasized the importance of attracting local and foreign investments to boost the economy and create jobs, stating, “We’ll offer incentives to attract local and foreign investments to boost our economy. Creating jobs is of paramount importance to my administration.”
With the upcoming November 16th, 2024 gubernatorial election, as the APC candidate, Hon. Lucky Aiyedatiwa appears ready to continue addressing the state’s challenges. His efforts signal a renewed hope for economic and social progress in Ondo State.
In closing, I leave Governor Aiyedatiwa with the words of former NBA basketball player Michael Jordan: “Earn your leadership every day.”
This, I presume is fitting for Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, the new face of governance in Ondo State, Nigeria, as he carves out his own niche.
© Comrade Bright Olorungbotemi Tunde
A Mediapreneur and Consultant,
From Idanre Local Government, Ondo State.
(Voice For Good Governance And Democracy)
