By Sunday Olugbenga Abire, Special Assistant on New Media to the Governor of Ondo State.
After a terrific week of befitting burial for the late Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Odunayo Akeredolu who died on the 27th of December 2023, one would have expected that Governor Aiyedatiwa would take a deserved rest for few days. If you knew how engaged he had been in the previous weeks, you will understand why I am sounding this way. Governor Aiyedatiwa was everywhere during the burial of his late boss. Of course, nobody expected he would be in Akoko/Ose for campaign or drinking tea in his house on any of those days alloted to honour his late boss. He was the real àkọ́bí ọmọ olókù (the first child of the deceased) and he stood till the end.
Boom! The day after the Thanksgiving service at St. Andrews Anglican church, Imola Ọwọ, signalling the end of the burial rites for Aketi was Monday and Governor Aiyedatiwa was in his office for serious duties of a Governor. Truly, statesmen are different from politicians. While it’s convenient for politicians to make excuses, statesmen think of the consequences of their excuses. No dereliction of duties. No shirking from responsibilities.
Tackling insecurity, Governor Aiyedatiwa held a meeting with the heads of security agencies in the state in his office during the week, tasking them to leave no stone unturned in the protection of lives and properties of the people of Ondo state. He assured them of his support at all times.
In order to boost self reliance, increase productivity and eradicate poverty as well as youths restiveness, Governor Aiyedatiwa directed the release of employment letters to 165 successful ODIRS applicants while giving approval for the recruitment of health workers in the state. Governor Aiyedatiwa’s drive to ensure optimum performance in the health sector will yield positive results as capable hands will be employed and trained to deliver responsive services especially to the grassroots where there are shortage of manpower.
Repositioning the Civil Service, Governor Aiyedatiwa has approved the retirement of pastor Kayode Ogundele, the 15th Head of Service as he has appointed Mr Bayo Philip in Acting capacity as the 16th Head of Service during the week.
Unveiling his developmental plan to construct over 60Km roads across the state, Governor Aiyedatiwa played host to Ikale traditional rulers who were led by the Jegun of Idepe Okitipupa, Oba Michael Obatuga Adeoye. The Governor used the opportunity to appreciate the support of the traditional rulers while tasking them to maintain peace and tranquility in their respective domains.
However, in line with 21st century best practices on waste management, Aiyedatiwa while dialoguing with the Auctioneers Association who visited him during the week emphasized the economic prosperity in the innovative initiative of turning waste into wealth. The leader of the delegation and chairman of the Association, chief Adedoyin Oni, presented a document detailing the importance of waste management in the face of global meltdown to the Governor for review.
The Governor received different groups of visitors during the week among who were the Forum of Retired Permanent Secretaries, Waste Management Board, Contributory Health Scheme and others.
The visit of the President of Nigeria, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, to Ondo state was purely personal. The president came to commiserate with the immediate family of the late Governor, the Olowo of Ọwọ and a personal visit to Pa Fasoranti, the leader of the Afenifere group. As the Governor of Ondo State and leader of the APC, Governor Aiyedatiwa held nothing back to be with his leader and president whose fatherly intervention restored peace to Ondo state at a critical time. As a man who wouldn’t forget favour, Governor Aiyedatiwa ensured that president Tinubu had a great time in Ondo state.
However, there were alleged moments of pockets of violence during the reception. While it is a good thing that the Governor has directed the law enforcement agents to apprehend the perpetrators of violence, those politicians who summarily believed that perpetrators of violence were sent by the Governor are not different from those who alleged that the Governor caused the death of a man who didn’t die by bullet but protracted illness. It is shameful and asinine. It is desperation taken too far.
Governor Aiyedatiwa had forewarned in his new year broadcast that violence would not be tolerated in Ondo state. He did warn that all political agitations must be within the confine of the law. He never hid his repugnance for politics of do or die. Are we not awed that a man who has been taunted as having no structure is now the structure upon which everyone builds in Ondo state? Aren’t we grateful to God that everyone who desires political relevance tags with the names, LUCKY ORIMISAN AIYEDATIWA today? Is the Governor not blessed enough to see all kinds of people support him willingly? Is he not grateful with the commitment that even non-partisan people are showing him?
We understand what the towering popularity of the Governor means to traditional politicians in Ondo state but we must all play by the rules. As I write, the case of one Mr Malo who was brutally attacked for choosing Governor Aiyedatiwa in Ileoluji is still pending at zone 17. Again, politicians must understand that only God crowns a king. You cannot shut down the voices of hope raised to birth the inclusivity and joint ownership that Aiyedatiwa embodies.
The sudden union of strange bedfellows to tarnish the image of the Governor is too cheap. Gathering thugs with campaign materials of the Governor and videoing them as they go on rampage to cause disaffection is a belated strategy. The people have made up their minds to emplace a purposeful government that they can trust and no political machination will change the solid resolve of the people.
The parents of the pupils of St. Gregory caring heart Mega Pry School Ikare Akoko wearing the new School’s uniform provided by Ondo State Government free of charge cannot be moved by diversionary politics aimed at causing disaffection for Governor Aiyedatiwa. The workers of RUGIPOLY who have even adopted all his names are unbendable. The Civil servants in the state are more than resolute to protect their future by voting Governor Aiyedatiwa. The pensioners who are being taken care of by the Governor won’t back down from this beautiful horse riding them to glory. Everywhere is electrified by the love of Aiyedatiwa. It’s the Lord’s doing.
Interestingly, as Ondo State welcomes and inaugurates the new Commissioners and Special Advisers designate today, I congratulate them as they serve the state in their different capacities and offices. May Ondo State continue to grow under the leadership of Governor Aiyedatiwa.
Peoplesmind