The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has described the young leaders mentored by former Ondo State Governor, Dr Olusegun Mimiko, as his greatest achievement, saying his legacy extends beyond the physical infrastructure and social programmes he established during his eight years in office.
Tunji-Ojo spoke at the Birthday and Conversation with Dr Olusegun Mimiko, organised in Abuja on Saturday to celebrate the former governor’s 72nd birthday.
He described Mimiko as the architect of modern Ondo State and one of the finest governors the state had produced, citing his contributions to healthcare, education, youth empowerment, infrastructure and other critical sectors.
The minister said Mimiko demonstrated that governance could be people-centred, despite the challenges that confronted his administration.
“Beyond all of that, he showed the people, over his eight-year tenure, that government can work for the people. And till tomorrow, his legacies are still there; the Mother and Child Hospital, the medical university, the records are there,” he said.
Tunji-Ojo, however, identified the former governor’s investment in human capital through mentorship as his most enduring achievement.
“The best of his achievements happens to be the people he built through mentorship. The reason why I have to be here today is because the young people that he mentored decided to celebrate him. He didn’t ask to be celebrated,” he said.
He urged political office holders and other public servants to prioritise mentoring younger people, noting that leadership positions were temporary but the impact leaders made through those they nurtured could endure beyond their tenure.
According to him, every public office holder must recognise that a time would come to leave office and consider who would sustain their contributions afterwards.
“This is a lesson for all of us in government. No matter how long, for every entry, one day, there will be an exit. But when the exit comes, who will be there to hold your hands?” he asked.
Recounting his relationship with Mimiko, the minister said the former governor had offered guidance and support to younger politicians without allowing differences in age or political experience to become barriers.
“I met Dr Mimiko as an aspirant running for the House of Representatives. He mentored us and never saw us as people who were too junior to be on his table,” he said.
Tunji-Ojo, who acknowledged the role of President Bola Tinubu in his appointment as a minister, said he remained grateful to Mimiko for the investment he had made in his life and political development.
“But even as the Minister of Interior, I remain your boy because you have invested and deposited in our lives,” he said.
He added: “Our present today is a reflection of your yesterday, and we are grateful to you, sir.”
The minister prayed for good health for the former governor, saying his experience and guidance remained valuable to younger leaders.
He also praised Mimiko’s reading culture, urging young people aspiring to leadership positions to cultivate the habit of reading as a means of broadening their knowledge and remaining relevant.
Describing the former governor’s achievements as exceptional, Tunji-Ojo said Mimiko had demonstrated that effective governance could deliver results many had considered impossible.
“Mimiko is not a magician, but he did magic through governance in Ondo State. I can assure you, sir, that we will continue to leverage on your ideology,” he said.
In his remarks, Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa directed that the Ondo State International Centre for Culture and Events, popularly known as The Dome, in Akure, be renamed after Mimiko in recognition of his contributions to the state.
The announcement was one of the major highlights of the event, which brought together political leaders, traditional rulers and other prominent personalities to celebrate the former governor.
Among the dignitaries present were former Kogi State Governor Idris Wada; the Olowo of Owo, Oba Ajibade Gbadegesin Ogunoye III, who is also Chairman of the Ondo State Council of Obas; and former and serving members of the National Assembly from Ondo State, alongside other distinguished guests.
