Governor of Ondo State, Hon. Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa says the people of Ilaje in the State will be forever indebted to his predecessor, late Oluwarotimi Akeredolu.
Aiyedatiwa, an Ilaje man himself became the Governor following the passage of Akeredolu, who died on December 27, 2023.
The Governor was speaking during a media parley with select media executives and practitioners in the State on Thursday.
Aiyedatiwa observed that Akeredolu was more interested in the growth of the Ilaje nation when he appointed him, as deputy Governor and then in acting capacity, whenever he proceeds on vacation.
He said contrary to the false narration in some sections of the media during the political struggles in the State in 2023, Akeredolu had wished that he succeeds him.
Aiyedatiwa laid credence to Akeredolu’s ‘prophetic’ message during their inauguration for a second term in February, 2021 where the late Governor specifically mentioned him as his successor.
The Governor added that the late Akeredolu didn’t stop at that, but that he mentioned him as his preferred choice to his fellow Governors.
He said Akeredolu also repeatedly said it at the State Executive Council meetings that he, “Lucky can continue from where he stopped.”
Aiyedatiwa said it is however, unfortunate that some people tried to distort these facts.
According to the Governor, he and his predecessor, Akeredolu enjoyed a very a high level of friendship, contrary to what the public were fed during the days of the political struggle.
He used the opportunity of the occasion to invite journalists to the final funeral ceremonies lineup for the late Governor Akeredolu, which would commence with an open crusade in Akure on Thursday.
He said after the funeral service is a big event that would be coming in the next two months. The Governor was apparently referring to the April primary election in the State, ahead of the November Guber poll. It is yet to be determined if Governor Aiyedatiwa will contest in the election.
Aiyedatiwa thereafter solicited the support of the media practitioners to report responsibly the 2024 electoral process.
Earlier, the chief press secretary to the Governor, Prince Ebenezer Adeniyan, whose office was instrumental to the media parley, thanked Governor Aiyedatiwa for counting him worthy of the appointment.
Adeniyan also appreciated the leadership of the NUJ for their recommendation.
Also speaking, the General Manager of Adaba FM, Sir Martins Ayoola told the Governor to expect the station to put him on his toes, adding that such professional duty shouldn’t be misconstrued in bad faith but an avenue for progress.
Mrs Olubunmi Oke, the General Manager of NTA Akure, urged Governor Aiyedatiwa to return Akure to its original form of being the best State capital in Nigeria.
The Chairman of NUJ, Prince Leke Adegbite made case for the appointment of a qualified information manager or journalists as permanent secretary fron the ministry of information and that of OSRC media group. He decried the non appointment of a career staff as the head of OSRC, as it was managed by the board members.
The deputy Governor, Dr Olayide Adelami, mni; SSG, Hon. Tayo Oluwatuyi; COS, Segun Omojuwa; Administrative Secretary of the information ministry, Toyin Niran-Onisile were among top government officials who joined Governor Aiyedatiwa at the meeting.
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