Today, December 27, marks exactly one year since Hon. Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa took the oath of office as the Governor of Ondo State.
One-year-old in office? How time flies! It looks just like yesterday.
There is a real sweet spot between challenge and hope, but good leaders make pathways that keep both firmly in view. For Ondo State, the emergence of Hon. Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa as the governor of Sunshine State has restored the faith of the good people of Ondo state that Sunshine State can still realise the goals of the founding fathers.
Taking over the mantle on Wednesday 27th December, 2023, Aiyedatiwa, began navigating the murky waters of administration with virile energy and focus which left no one in doubt that he knew what he has come to do.
During the swearing-in ceremony held at the Cocoa conference in the governor’s office at Alagbaka in Akure, Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa to the admiration of his audience promised to complete on-going projects embarked on by his boss – the late Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu SAN.
He equally promised to execute more life changing projects across the state.
“The demise of Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Odunayo Akeredolu, SAN, CON is indeed a great loss to me as an individual as our relationship dated back to many years ago, having closely worked with him when his gubernatorial journey started in Year 2012….”
“Governor Akeredolu was a man of courage and conviction who always stood for the truth even at his own detriment. I remember vividly during the time when we had a case in court challenging our Second Term victory. He still pursued the matter of emplacing a strong security network for the people of the Southwest codenamed Amotekun Corps. The People of Ondo State and the entire people of the Southwest will be eternally grateful for this bold act which has greatly improved the security architecture in the Region and reduced incidents of kidnapping, banditry and other acts of criminalities to the barest. I want to assure the people of Ondo State that under my swatch, this administration shall continue to advance the welfare of the people.”
“The events which culminated in today’s ceremony is a watershed in the history of Ondo State as this is the first time we are having a transition in an administration. Today’s event has placed a burden on all of us to pull together and stay together as one because we have the onerous responsibility to continue to sustain the legacies of Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Odunayo Akeredolu, SAN, CON, which was good governance, properly called. Our leader and Governor, during his time. embarked upon several landmark projects, many of which have been completed and several ones ongoing. We now have the responsibility to complete them.”
“I want to assure the people of Ondo State that under my watch, this administration shall continue to advance the welfare of the people. We shall always place the people first in every decision we take.” Aiyedatiwa said
True to his words, governor Aiyedatiwa has pursued progress and development of Ondo State with vitality, vigour and dexterity.
By any standard and in whatever form or manner it is perceived, Ondo state has truly been in safe hands in the last 360 days under the proficient leadership of the Aiyedatiwa-led government which promised at inauguration to work for the people and provide them with appropriate leadership by striving at all times to make decisions that will benefit the greatest number of the citizenry.
12 months in the saddle, there are testimonies resulting from his astute stewardship.
One of the core principles of Aiyedatiwa led-administration’s developmental agenda is ensuring quality and accessible education for all citizens. He has been consistently demonstrating his commitment to improving the sector. At the primary level, he has sustained massive investment in education infrastructure regeneration and development through the payment of N3.5 Billion State’s counterpart contribution to the Federal Government supported UBEC/SUBED Fund. In all, a massive N7.0 Billion is already being deployed to address Primary education infrastructure among others.
At the Secondary and Technical level, the contract for the renovation of secondary schools as well as the renovation of technical colleges selected to reflect geographic spread across the three senatorial districts has been awarded at a total contract sum of N2.858 Billion. This is aside the over N550 Million to cover the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) fees for 26,088 public secondary school students in 2024. Beyond examination fees, Governor Aiyedatiwa initiated massive school renovations, prioritized teacher recruitment and training and moved towards digitalizing the education sector. An additional 2,000 teachers are being recruited, focusing on improving schools in rural areas.
Mr Governor places a strong emphasis on teachers’ welfare and development. To this end, 40 Education Secretaries, Zonal/Area Education Officers and 50 Data Officers from the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) and the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology have been trained on the BESDA Attendance Management Information System. Additionally, 750 head teachers and 190 principals of Junior Public Secondary Schools across the 18 Local Government Education Authorities (LGEAs) have been trained on the BAMUS Attendance App, ensuring proper monitoring of school attendance.
Aiyedatiwa Administration also focuses on vocational education and skills acquisition to combat unemployment. The long-overdue accreditation of courses at Government Technical Colleges has been secured, with N6.49 million spent on National Business and Technical Examinations Board (NABTEB) fees for 161 students. As part of the paradigm shifts to repositioning universal technical expertise in the State, plans are under way to build two new model technical schools to further reflect the State’s focus on technical education and entrepreneurship.
In order to alleviate the financial burden on parents, Mt Governor flagged off the disbursement of N335Million scholarships and bursaries to Ondo State students in tertiary institutions in September 2024. The annual bursary was doubled from N10,00000 to N20,000.00, while students with disabilities received N75,000.00 each. Scholarship beneficiaries in the Nigerian Law School, medical students in clinical classes and other students on CGPA 4.0 and above now receive N100,000.00. Furthermore, the subventions to State-owned tertiary institutions have been increased with continued funding of projects within the schools.
On workers’ welfare, It was jubilation galore as Ondo State workers began to receive the payment of the ₦73,000 minimum wage with their November 2024 salaries, as promised by Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa. Aiyedatiwa is one of the governors to first pay the new national minimum wage.
While Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa is promoting the welfare of workers, he is also focusing his attention on providing employment opportunities for the teeming young people in the State. In February, the Governor approved the release of employment letters to 165 newly recruited staff of the Ondo State Internal Revenue Service (ODIRS).
One of the unprecedented feats of Governor Aiyedatiwa in the judiciary is the appointment and swearing in of six new judges of the State High Court in September. The six newly sworn-in judges are Hon. Justices Adebisi Williams Daomi, Adeola Olufunke Adegoroye, Justinah Ojufisintei Kpemi, Happiness Inumidun Demehin-Ogunbayo, Wumi Fabuluje, and Idowu Mobayonle Ogunwumiju.
This has increased the number of judges in Ondo State from 24 to 35 in what would be the first of such development since the State was created in 1976.
The commitment of the present administration to massive infrastructural development in the State has surged in the last twelve months. To date, more roads are being constructed across the length and breadth of our dear State. More than 34 road contracts amounting to 182.73km are at different stages of completion. The second flyover and junction improvement at Onyeagbulem – Shagari/Irese Road along Ilesha – Akure – Owo Expressway, Akure that spans approximately 570m is currently at 55.0% completion. The 8.135km Dual carriageway from Oba Adesida (A Division) – Oba Osupa (Hospital) Road – Oluwatuyi – Ijoka (Oke Iya junction) with spur to Alafiatayo Roundabout and Idiagba Titun Roads has achieved 60.0% completion, while the 4.0km Akure – Oda Dual carriageway is currently at 80.0% completion.
There are two inter-town and city roads which had been completed: 9.45km Molege to Ute Road and 16.625km Akunmu-Ikaram – Oke Agbe.
In the last 12 months, the present administration has commenced and completed the installation of 1000 standalone Solar Streetlights in Akure metropolis.
In health, the state contributory Health Scheme with the Abiyamo Maternity and Child Health Insurance Scheme for pregnant women and children below the age of Five has over 49,267 pregnant women and children have benefitted from the scheme. Till date, more than 16,422 babies have been delivered with 4,533 through caesarean sections at no cost to all the beneficiaries. The administration has been consistent and very committed to the continuous payment of the premium for the care of all pregnant women and children under 5 years. The Contributory Health Commission currently enrolled 2,301 people with disability (intellectually impaired, physically impaired, hearing impaired), 297 people living with sickle cell disorder, 13,216 children under 5 years, 7,714 aged/elderly, 13,777 pregnant women and women of reproductive age group and 24,153 other vulnerable people within the State.
As a friendly administration, all these are done to give the above groups access to free healthcare in the State. This is aside the Orange Health Insurance SCHEME (ORANGHIS) which has enrolled over 101,160 public servants and their dependants in both public and private facilities across the State.
In order to bring healthcare services closer to the people, the administration will soon conclude the recruitment exercise for nurses and doctors at the Ondo State Primary Healthcare Development Agency (OSPHCDA).
Ensuring adequate security is one of the priorities of Aiyedatiwa led-administration. One notable effort is the support for the South West Security Network, also known as Amotekun and other security agencies in the state was the presentation of 25 Hilux vehicles to boost their operations.
The Ondo State governor has deliberately focused on the agricultural sector to stimulate needed development in the state. The State Government launched the distribution of fertilizers to farmers across the State, with 5,520 bags of NPK 20-10-10, 4140 bags of NPK 27-13-13 and 4,200 bags of Urea fertilizers already distributed. Also, through the Ondo CARES Programme, the Governor distributed agricultural inputs worth N317,980,200 to 20,556 farmers, including youths, women and vulnerable individuals. These inputs include Cassava stems, fertilizers, seeds, seedlings, poultry feeds and fingerlings.
The Governor has implemented various policies aimed at promoting sustainable food security in the State. The Governor in July approved the sum of 2billion naira as additional intervention fund to enhance food security and cushion effects of economic challenges for the people of the State.
The Governor flagged off the distribution of items which included 24,000 bags of rice; 14,040 bags of Maize; 3,440 bags of Garri; 170 Tricycles, Tillers and Canoes and the beneficiaries including different groups and vulnerable individuals in the 18 local government areas of the State.
These among others are what make the last twelve months that Aiyedatiwa has been in the saddle remarkable.
Indeed, Ondo State under Lucky Aiyedatiwa is matching forward!
As we journey into another term, the new development agenda – “O’ Datiwa, O’Dirorun” which literally means “OUR EASE”; we no doubt put icy on the cake.
While Aiyedatiwa espouses more on this agenda in the coming days, there is the need for all hands to be on deck to arrive at our desired and collective destination which is a better Ondo State. It is doable!
Happy anniversary to my boss!
Hon. Kikelomo Isijola is the Special Assistant to Ondo State Governor on Digital Media.
