LUCKY Aiyedatiwa who contested under the platform of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) is expected to consolidate on the achievements of his late principal, Rotimi Akeredolu, who died in office in December 26, 2023, while Aiyedatiwa, his deputy, was subsequently sworn in as the governor of the Sunshine state.
While paying tribute to Akeredolu’s visionary leadership and tireless efforts in developing the state, Aiyedatiwa said he was saddened and pained by the death of his late principal who had predicted and set the tone for him as his successor.
The governor said “I am particularly indebted to him for choosing me as his Deputy and for his public and undisguised prophetic declaration at about this time. I must say that I am deeply pained that this great leader who saw tomorrow is not here with us to witness and servour this auspicious occasion which marks the fulfilment of what God spoke through him”
However, residents of the state have been expressing their mind over what is expected of Aiyedatiwa after his inauguration. To most of the citizens of the Sunshine state, to many, their expectation is for Aiyedatiwa to hit the ground running to fulfill his all his electoral promises.
They said a lot of confidence is reposed in him while the people of the state expect no excuses as they believe Aiyedatiwa knows where the shoe pinches, having being around for enough time to make meaningful changes and differences.
To set the ball rolling, the people of the state expect Aiyedatiwa to start assembling a team of visionary and committed managers who should share in his vision and mission to take the state to a greater heights.
These managers should have interests in delivering the desired needs of the people in areas such as security, employment, agriculture, economic development, social welfare, infrastructural development, institutional reforms and leadership.
Selecting these crop of managers, according to the people should poise no problem for Aiyedatiwa as he has more than three months after his election to select the best hands to work with him, but warned the governor against importing managers who knew next to nothing about the state and its people.
They warned against experimenting and politicizing policies but said it should be strictly business, as the people of Ondo state deserve a new lease of life after the political imbroglio that occurred before Aiyedatiwa emergence. Many of the stakeholders concluded that the people of the state need to be compensatated with good and impactful governance.
Aiyedatiwa is charged to keep the APC together as a party, united and avoid divisive politics and personal attacks. They advised him to be committed to inclusive government, involving leaders across political lines, while party hierarchy should be given free hand to deal with the administration of the party as Aiyedatiwa remains the face and leader of the party in the state.
Patrick Olowolafe, a political analysts, said “it is crucial for Aiyedatiwa to steer clear of sycophants whose stock in trade is politics of bootlicking, sycophancy, eye service and lies. People that will only tell him what he wants to hear towards lining their selfish interests should be avoided because their contributions will hinder progress and create divisions, discontent and tension for his government.
Also, a public analyst, Akinbuwa George, suggested the need to improve the fortune of the state economy with a more positive impact on the people of the state. He advised Aiyedatiwa not to depend solely on the allocation at the center, urging him to think out of the box.
According to him, the era of depending solely on earnings from crude oil, has come to an end and oil is no longer viable asset as industry is become technology-driven. But wants the incoming government to focus on agriculture and said “the government must give priority to agriculture and show sincerity, by ensuring that loans procured for disbursement to farmers reach them, without being diverted.
“Government should also come up with policies that would help to attract more youths and investors to the agricultural sector, to empower the teeming qualified youths and boost food production.
“The most important thing is for Aiyedatiwa to be committed and engaged proactive engagement with farmers and herders to prevent clashes. This will go a long way to ensure and enhance food security in the state.
A security expert, Adeola Akinbami, advised Aiyedatiwa to fortify the security of the state following the growing insecurity in the state in recent time. He said “The Amotekun and other security agencies must be adequately empowered, funded and equipped. Follow the footsteps of late Akeredolu, give priority to security of lives and property and return the state to be safest state in the country.
“This is gradually becoming a thing of the past with the recent daily killing, attack and kidnapping we experience in the state. The state should not be turned into den of criminals again and all criminals who have found their ways into the state, especially in the northern part of the state should be flushed out.
“The latest waves of kidnapping raise the question of the need for the Ondo State Government to assist in providing security equipment. Such as drone cameras and tracking of phones, since the kidnappers are contacting the families. Let the security think ahead of crime and not crime ahead of security agencies.”
In the area of education, analysts said emphasis should not be placed on building and equipping of public schools only but by employing more quality teachers. They called for the recruitment of more teachers in public schools to make it more attractive and should also be affordable
“Teachers and other workers should be paid regularly, and the tertiary institutions fees should be reviewed. Human capital development must also be prioritised since the youths are the future of the state.”
Stakeholders also want the health sector revamped, and more doctors, nurses and other health workers employed to ensure efficiency and effectiveness. They lamented over the dearth of doctors and nurses in the state hospitals and called for review of the remuneration and hazard allowance for these set of workers
“Hospitals must be equipped, let the people feel the impact of the government again in the health sector like the days of Dr. Olusegun Mimiko” Akinbami said
In the area of road and infrastructural development, Aiyedatiwa was charged to reconsider the establishment of an agency to handle direct rehabilitation of some of these roads using the services of experts, technicians and artisans in some of the ministries.
They noted that the state government may be overwhelmed by the large number of inner roads to rehabilitate but through the reintroduction of direct labour agencies, these roads will be taken care of, saying “the state recorded some success story using this model during Mimiko’s administration through OSAC which was envisioned to be a catalyst for road construction, rehabilitation, and job creation in Ondo State”
The new Ondo helmsman should take steps without delay to revive and strengthen this agency because without accessible and motorable roads, businesses will not succeed and thrive, consequently impacting negatively on the generation of revenues for the state government.
“You cannot be proposing to build the state economy when citizens are not able to drive around reasonably and comfortably to conduct their day-to-day business activities. The three cardinals areas of a successful administration are the provision of infrastructure (roads), security, and electricity.
“With the present state of poor road infrastructures, how can the state attract reasonable investments and businesses to help build the economy of the state?. We cannot be talking about modernizing the markets and the cities when there are horrendous road networks across the state resulting in poor accessibility of roads by motorists”
A civil engineer, Israel Arokodare, urged the new administration to reconsider rescucitating the OSAC in Aponmu along Ondo road which was envisioned to be a catalyst for road construction and rehabilitation. He noted that with the neglect of OSAC, thousands have lost their jobs, and the facility that was meant to be a beacon of progress now stands as a testament to abandonment.
An indigene of Ondo State based in Idanre, Akinuli Mathias wants the incoming government to focus on tourism, urging Aiyedatiwa to revive the annual Mare festival in Idanre and other tourist attraction in the state. He added that “Arts, culture and tourism should not be neglected, in view of their potential to attract investors and empower the people, especially the youths”
He said “ In sports, the Sunshine football club, that used to be one of the leading club in the National League has been in bad shape due to financial challenges. The club should be revived from the relegation water.
“The incoming administration should try to build on that legacy and should go beyond the renovation of the Akure township Stadium which is still ongoing, while age grade competition should be reintroduced across all the 18 local government areas in the state, to discover new talents and engage the youths, because an idle hand is the devil’s workshop”
But the Publicity Secretary of the main opposition party, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Hon. Kennedy Peretei, said “there is nothing more to expect from the Lucky Aiyedatiwa government. In the one-year tenure from his joint ticket with Arakunrin Rotimi Akeredolu, he proved that, even if he is given 20 years, he will do nothing, If he has not achieved anything in one year, will it not be ridiculous to expect anything from him? “
Peretei, however, charged Aiyedatiwa to think outside the box in fulfilling his campaign promises, especially in the area of infrastructural development and said “Ondo State needs a man who can address the huge infrastructural deficit in the State. Education and Health Care are comatose.
“These are the critical areas that require government’s urgent attention. But it will be asking too much, if we demand these from Aiyedatiwa because he has not demonstrated capacity and capability. We are at the level of ‘swim or sink’. This is no time to experiment and to politicise government businesses as the state deserves a new lease of life.”
All in all, what an average citizen of Ondo state demands from governor Aiyedatiwa are good governance, strong institutions, more accountability, less corruption, respect for law and order by the government and create a peaceful environment where development thrives.
However, Aiyedatiwa on Monday after his inauguration, immediately swung into action with the appointments of Dr. Taiwo Fasoranti as the Secretary to the State Government (SSG) and Kayode Ajulo as the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice and Mrs. Omowunmi Isaac as Commissioner for Finance.
The governor also announced the re-appointment of four Special Advisers who include, Engr. Johnson Alabi, (Power) Dr. Seun Osamaye, (Women Affairs) Comrade Bola Taiwo, (Union Matters & Special (Duties), Prof Simidele Odimayo (Health) while Engr. Abiola Olawoye, has been elevated to the position of Special Adviser, Infrastructure, Lands and Housing from Senior Special Assistant to the Governor.
Aiyedatiwa, during his inauguration extended hands of fellowship to opposition political parties and the candidates that participated in the November 16 governorship election with him, appealing to his opponents to join hands with him in the development of the state.
The governor informed the residents of the state that his Agenda for the state is rooted in a commitment to transforming the Sunshine State into a beacon of progress, equity, and sustainable development.
He said the focus of his government will be directed on economic growth, social inclusion, infrastructural advancement and a clear roadmap to elevate the quality of life for all citizens in the state.
According to him, key priorities will be given to security and the rule of law, urban and rural development through agriculture and blue economy, revolutionary technological advancement and industrialisation, and efficient healthcare and socio-economic welfare.
He said “We will improve agricultural productivity, enhance access to markets and credit for farmers, invest in rural infrastructure and promote the development of the Blue Economy. We shall be intentional about our urban renewal policy in a manner to instigate influx of more investors.
“We will invest in research and development, enhance access to technology and infrastructure for businesses, promote the development of special economic zones and industrial parks and encourage entrepreneurship and innovation.
“This is with a view to repositioning our State as a hub for technological innovation and industrialisation, creating new opportunities for businesses and jobs for our citizens, especially the teeming unemployed youths.
“We will prioritise investment in healthcare infrastructure, enhance access to quality healthcare services, improve the quality of healthcare services through training and capacity building and promote health education and awareness.
“As a deliberate policy, our administration will invest in our social investment scheme to reduce the level of poverty in the State and also to ensure that the most vulnerable in the State are taken care of, in order to feel the impact of government”
Meanwhile, residents of the state have been commending the governor over the appointment of the SSG, describing the appointment as a round peg in a round hole.
Tformer Minister of Transportation, Prince Ademola Adegoroye, said the appointment said the appointment Fasoranti, would positively impact the operations of the state and elevate it to a new level.
In his congratulatory message to the governor, Adegoroye said, “Your passion and commitment to public service are truly inspiring. You have made the All Progressives Congress (APC) family proud with your remarkable achievements.
“Your victory in the November 16 governorship election and your inauguration as the seventh elected governor are testaments to your tireless efforts and unwavering dedication.”
In his congratulatory message to Fasoranti, Adegoroye expressed confidence that the newly appointed SSG would add value to Aiyedatiwa’s administration.
According to him, Fasoranti’s wealth of experience and educational background would benefit not only the government but also the people of the state.
“Let me congratulate my older brother and senior in school on his appointment as SSG. Dr. Fasoranti will undoubtedly enhance the operations of the state and elevate it to a new level in alignment with Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa’s aspirations. His exposure will play a vital role in re-engineering government operations and administration, and this will undoubtedly reposition Ondo State among its peers.
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