~ Debo Akinbami, PhD
It’s been an interesting year; one with exciting events; an eventful year, altogether. Ahead of the year, Ondo had chosen, by popular demand, Dr. Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, as governor. It was a choice made in an unexampled election. It was also a wholesale win, in figure and form; striking and instructive. A landmark that would be for rare feats.
The year had begun on a good note; with bold decisions. As Ondo’s 7th democratically-elected governor, he told the crowd, in a stern tone, his resolve to turn the tides and cause the state to optimally function. He avowed commitment to socioeconomic turn-around, and has since shown impressive political will.
Governor Aiyedatiwa set out for business unusual. From the outset, he began by fixing sundry governmental gaps with purpose and precision. Built around ‘Our Ease’ agenda – a policy cornerstone of the new administration, the governor has since proven wrong all doubts and doubters.
In less than one year of governance, Aiyedatiwa has emplaced superlative projects across the state, so that no local government area is without his Midas touch. Within a year, the governor has expanded the state’s contributory health scheme, completed a pharma-grade warehouse, renovated hospitals, recruited new hands and procured new ambulances.
Ondo State, under Aiyedatiwa, secured 26,000 hectares of land and earmarked ₦7.5 billion for development to strengthen food security and create jobs. The same government, within a year, has provided no fewer than 75 High-grade fully -equipped Hilux with modern security gadgets to security agencies to help respond immediately and effectively to threats.
Governor Aiyedatiwa’s fiscal transparency and accountability have been largely applauded as key enablers of reforms and transformational programmes. Under him, Ondo is witnessing large-scale socio-economic revival and creating a clement ambience for investment to thrive; for industries to sprout, so that the state economy prospers as he planned it to be.
The other day, the news of the approval of a seaport license for Ondo State by the federal government made a masterstroke. It was about the year’s biggest deal and a telling statement to the effect that Aiyedatiwa is not in for the regular rethorics. If anything, he is determined to rewrite the old narratives around the state.
As he put plans in place for strategic development, the governor prioritises education being the central sector to his development agenda. This reflects in the manner he funds the sector to get evident results. Over 2,000 teachers were employed into the primary and secondary layers; yet he encourages curriculum review to redirect training in consonance with global best practices.
Young as it is, Aiyedatiwa’s administration is building a modern judiciary village and expanding court facilities. It has recruited qualified judicial personnel and giving the right encouragement for prison decongestion in order to improve justice administration and strengthen the rule of law.
In all fronts, in a short while, Aiyedatiwa has shown courage, capacity and conviction. He has laid bold foundations. He has successfully spelt out the letters of a progressive leadership. Even now, towards another auspicious year, he gives ample hope for consolidation and reminds the state of greater harvests underway
***Dr. Akinbami is the Senior Special Assistant to Governor Aiyedatiwa on Strategic Communication.
