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| Akeredolu (L), Momoh (R) |
“The unreflected life is not worth living.” – Socrates
Four years ago, precisely October 2012, he broke the yokes, barriers and aged long jinx to become the first governor elected for a second term in the history of Ondo State.
Juxtaposing Dr. Olusegun Abdulrahman Mimiko’s achievement in his first term as governor and his second coming would definitely continue to be a major discourse in various political classes, elite groups and sessions of social crusaders as well as reference point for future political missions and animals in Ondo State going by the political consciousness of the people of the Sunshine State.
With the final lap of Mimiko’s political journey as governor over on the 24th February “Iroko” himself would definitely be reminiscing on his CARING HEART sail particularly how he truly “worked for the people and got to know everyone’s name and house” as echoed eight years ago
Also, as he retires to his Ondo country home, I bet that things would be much clearer now than that of the Alagbaka Government House going by the drastic reduction of sycophants around him and with thoughts of some things he would have done better….. Is it too Late? Hmmm… Well, I’ll be eager to read the volume 2 of “Mimiko’s Odyssey: Life After Alagbaka” – that’s if it would ever be written – so as for me to read more of what were his regrets aside the seven months salary debt he left behind for his successor.
Some school of thoughts might opine that Iroko has done his best for the State while others might be of the view that his government never saved for the raining day and depleted the state coffers by embarking on money gulping projects in a civil service state where the only source of income is the monthly federal allocation from Abuja.
But one thing is sacrosanct, Iroko is done with templates and “Arakunrin wa”, Oluwarotimi Odunayo Akeredolu SAN, is now in the saddle.
With the inauguration of the sixth civilian governor of Ondo State which attracted political bigwigs including the ; Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Chief Odigie Oyegun, National Leader of the party, Ashiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, Chairman, PDP Governor’s Forum, Ayodele Fayose among a host of others, the Ondo State people are full of expectations as to how Arakunrin Akeredolu will turn the fortune of the state around in this critical period where paucity of fund has become the anthem with series of analysis now centered on his five cardinal programmes “JOURNEY TO REDEMPTION” inaugural speech prior to the unveiling of the government’s blueprint “Roadmap to Development”.
With these anxieties in the air, relevant appointments should be made in earnest while the constitution of a strong economic team must be expedient to tackle ways of moving the state away from her caged status of “Abuja baby” to an industrialised economy where companies such as ; Oluwa Glass Company, Ifon Ceramic Industry, Okitipupa Oil Palm Mill among others that once dotted the three senatorial districts of the state in the past glorious days of the state are rejuvenated with fresh innovations of PPP arrangement.
Let’s not forget the fact that Ondo State as at present is still a civil service state and one of the most vibrant in the country hence utmost attention must be channelled through welfarism, capacity building and payment of outstanding salaries to boost morales that’s already at it’s lowest ebb. As for any government’s policy to achieve success, efficient and effective civil service is paramount.
And from my observations while delivering his inaugural speech at the Akure township stadium, I see a man who is not going to play politics with the lives of his people, no vague promises, a man blunt with actions……
Arakunrin wa congratulations…. Let the music play, tick! tack! tick! tack!
Wishing you a sweet memory lane in advance when you reflect and reminisce on your tenure in few years time, which I’m resolute would be a fulfilled and accomplished one. Challenges are bound to come in governance, however, I believe you are up to the task considering your résumé.
“We are twice armed if we fight with faith”. – Plato
Adewale Momoh is a Journalist, Blogger and a Writer.
Study @ Achievers University
