By Sunday Olusegun Omosule
There is no gainsaying the fact that for decades, Ondo has been among the states that always contend for better leadership delivery in every successive government in Nigeria. Since the creation of the state from the old Western region in 1976, the electorates have always laid a stronger emphasis for a better leadership. Year in and out, they graduate from seeking a leader with tacit integrity to one whose integrity has been tested within the corridors of power, and is therefore found to be trusted with proven experience to drive the state’s growth and development. As the people of the State prepare to head to the polls in November 2024, the need for effective leadership has never been more pressing in the history of the state than it is at the moment. In spite of the citizens’ yearn for better leadership for decades of democratic rule, it appears still, that the state has been plagued with inadequate infrastructure, economic stagnation, and a lack of quality visionary leadership the people of Ondo State desires. However, with the emergence of Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa as the gubernatorial candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC the tide of progress seems to be about to change at a very faster pace, as the people begin to heave a sigh of relief, with the expectation of transforming from tapping mere nectar of good governance to harvesting and enjoying the true dividends of democracy. Without mincing words, and I am cocksure your guess is as good as mine- who then possesses the integrity and leadership capacity we all desire?
A Flash into the Man with a Proven Track Record of Excellence
Born in the oil-producing community of Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State in 1965, Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, after his educational career, worked at Scoa Assembly Plant Plc. Apapa, Lagos in the 80s, and till date, has been found without a single blemish. In the same 80s, he flawlessly served as the Assistant Head Teacher at Reliance International School, Ijokodo, Ibadan. At a point in his career, he became the Marketing Officer at Universal Pharmaceutical Supply Co. Ltd, Ikeja, Lagos in the year 1990, left with records of excellence, and yet without a single spot. He was Assistant Investment Analyst at Global Trust Limited, Gbagada, Lagos, and also served as General Merchandise Manager at Biz Mart Nigeria Limited on the Island of Lagos in the same 90s, yet without a single stain. As MD/CEO of Blue Wall Group of Company, a Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN)-Licensed foreign exchange trading company, no record of crime, tax evasion whatsoever has been found in his name, till date.
As a matchless Nigerian with flare for service, Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa joined active politicking as a card carrying member of the Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, which later merged with other political parties to become All Progressives Congress, APC. After serving as National delegate from Ondo State at the All Progressives Congress Convention at Abuja in 2014, he contested for Federal House of Representative to represent Ilaje/Ese-Odo Federal Constituency in 2015 Presidential and National Assembly General Election, but later became the Federal Commissioner who represented Ondo State on the Board of Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC from 2018 to 2019, yet this matchless proud citizen of our dear sunshine state was found spotless.
He was selected as the running mate of Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu in the 2020 Ondo State gubernatorial election, owing to his proven record that couples professionalism with excellence in service delivery, and on February, 2021 they were sworn into office as governor and deputy governor of Ondo State respectively. These and many more, undoubtedly led his former boss, governor Akeredolu to point at the Lucky man saying: “he will continue where I stopped”. As fate would have it, Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa became acting Governor of Ondo State on 13 December, 2023, immediately Governor Akeredolu left for end-stage leukaemia treatment. Meanwhile, he previously acted in that same capacity, from June to September, 2023, when Akeredolu was on medical leave. As the saying goes, “throw a lucky man into the sea, and he will come up with a fish in his mouth”, Akeredolu left the stage as said, and Hon. Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa was sworn in as the Governor of Ondo State, in spite of all odds. The meek nature of Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, no doubts earned him more respect, as he remained loyal to his boss till latter end. I guess by now; you must have had a better glimpse of our quality candidate. With the above in mind, one cannot but say that our Lucky Candidate is not only able, but also capable, and amiable.
A Flash into Lucky’s Visionary Leadership with a Clear Roadmap
It is noteworthy to state that Aiyedatiwa’s candidacy is built on a comprehensive understanding of Ondo State’s challenges and a well-defined plan to address them. As a researcher and an educationist, I can declare without mincing words that Governor Aiyedatiwa’s vision for the state is anchored on a number of benefits such as: Economic Revitalization, an endeavour that will attract investments, promote entrepreneurship, and create jobs; Infrastructure Development, a quality that will upgrade our roads, healthcare facilities, and education infrastructure; Human Capital Development, an act that will empower our youths, enhance our education sector, and improve our healthcare services; and Good Governance, which is a necessity for transparency, accountability, and inclusive decision-making.
Aiyedatiwa’s Capacity for Delivering Progress through Key Initiatives
Looking into Mr Governor’s antecedents, one cannot but conclude that his administration will prioritize the following among others: Ondo Industrial Hub, by promoting the world-class industrial park to drive the state’s economic growth; Farm-to-Table Initiative, an initiative that will enhance agricultural production / processing, and marketing to boost food security; Ondo Health Care Revival, a revival that will upgrade healthcare infrastructure and services; Education Reform:, a reform that will lead to improved access to quality, and relevant education; and Youth Empowerment Programs, a programme that will equip our youths with skills, training, and entrepreneurship support.
Why Aiyedatiwa Stands Out
Governor Aiyedatiwa stands out among others in the sense that he has a proven integrity that will bring about unwavering commitment to transparency and accountability. In addition to this, the months he has served as the governor of Ondo State has proven beyond every reasonable doubt that he is competent, looking at his proven track record of delivering results. Succinctly put, His Excellency, Hon. Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa is a man with empathy, looking at his deep understanding of Ondo State’s unique challenges, and finally, his vision with a clear roadmap for progress and development of all sectors of the state economy further distinguishes him.
The Time for Progressive Continuity is Now
Ondo State deserves better. It’s time to break the cycle of underdevelopment by electing a leader who can progress from where Aketi stopped. Aiyedatiwa’s proven experience, visionary leadership, and commitment to good governance makes him the ideal choice for the governor of Ondo State. In this wise, I urge the electorates to join the movement now. Let’s unite to build a brighter future for Ondo State. Support Aiyedatiwa’s candidacy and be part of the transformation. By joining hands together, we can:
Create jobs and stimulate economic growth
Improve infrastructure and services
Empower youths and enhance education
Ensure good governance and accountability
Let us all vote Aiyedatiwa for Governor in the November 16 gubernatorial election. Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa’s extensive, unparalleled, and stainless experience in both the public and private sectors makes him the ideal candidate to steer Ondo State towards prosperity. His impressive résumé attests to this:
Years of distinguished service in key government positions
Successful entrepreneurship and business leadership
Community development initiatives that have positively impacted countless lives
Together, we can secure a better tomorrow for our state.
Choose experience! Choose vision!! Choose leadership!!! Choose Aiyedatiwa
Sunday Olusegun Omosule, (PhD iv) is a Chartered Public Relations Practitioner, a researcher in the University of Lagos, founder of Ohmega Research Analytics, and he is currently the State Secretary of the Ondo State Chapter of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations, NIPR.
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