Jimi Odimayo : Hope For A Better Ondo State
As aspirants are already jostling for the governorship contest of Ondo State in year 2020, an agent of transformation, Prince Jimi Odimayo has thrown his hat into the political ring. Here is a man that is readily synonymous with success and transformation; besides, his interest in the Alagbaka Government House is simply informed by the burning desire to turn things around in the Sunshine State.
The extremely resourceful Jimi Odimayo had made it known at several fora that Ondo State is stupendously blessed by God with both human and natural resources. Therefore, the Sunshine State according to him should truly not find itself in a situation of always waiting for the monthly handouts from Abuja before meeting financial obligations. Jimi is a proven transformationist and he has come to deliver just that . He firmly believes that that it could only take a transformationist to effect transformation since no man can give what he does not have. The Ode Irele born Odimayo is overly confident of his chances of becoming a governor and his ability to effect the needed transformational development in Ondo State.
According to Odimayo who is of the firm opinion that the best leadership service world over is now being rendered by the youth. He would readily contend that age has no place in leadership as the wisdom of Solomon has nothing to do with the age of Methuselah. The extensively experienced Jimi has already developed developmental blueprints that will bring about self economic prosperity in Ondo State. The Chairman of Lagos based Arowolo Group has also painstakingly come up with a robust plan that will address the issue of youth unemployment in Ondo State. Other carefully crafted plans of Odimayo for the people of Ondo State include sustainable commercial Agriculture, prioritizing quality and affordable health care services for the young and aged, free and quality education at from primary school to secondary school levels, prioritizing the welfare of workers and rapid embarkment on infrastructural developments.
The All Progressive Congress (APC) member hope to leverage on his global contacts and exposure for the development of Ondo State.
According to Odimayo, he plans to transform Ondo State to a huge construction site and business hub of West Africa. He plans to leverage on his experience, goodwill and achievements in the oil and gas sector of the nation’s economy to attract major investors to Ondo State.
Meanwhile, it should be noted that Jimi Odimayo is not a green horn in the politics of Ondo State. He has been in the political circle for close to a decade now, albeit only as a quiet financier. The philanthropist has positively impacted so many lives within and outside of outside of his senatorial district. He is also a very successful businessman who is basically in politics for service alone. He is truly loved by his people and everyone that has come in contact with him. His large supporters, particularly those in Ondo South Senatorial District are of the opinion that it is now their turn to produce the next governor of the state and Jimi Odimayo is the best man for the Alagbaka job.
Odimayo is always quick to tell people that he already has a carefully worked out a plan that will ensure his emergence as the gubernatorial candidate of APC. He firmly believes that his youthful age could only be an advantage for him in the 2020 governorship contest. The 39 year old Financial Consultant and businessman is prepared to maximize the full advantage of the “Not Too Young Run Act”.
Jimi Odimayo became the Executive Chairman of Arowolu Group in year 2012 and has done well in supervising the strategic direction for the group and its associates and subsidiaries. Also, he has largely succeeded in taking the group and its associates and subsidiaries from the scratch to a position of relevance. Business interests of the group cover Oil and Gas, Transportion, Logistics, Hospitality, Agriculture and Engineering. The group’s subsidiaries include Arowolo Oil & Gas Limited, Arowolo Transport and Logistics Limited, Arowolo Resorts Limited, Arowolo Agro-Allied Limited and Arolwolo Engineering.
He worked with Addax & Oryx Group from 2014 to 2016 as the
Commercial and Operations Manager. Odimayo worked tirelessly in this position and succeeded in spearheading the growth of the company’s turnover from N1 billion to N18 billion in just one year. He also did extremely well in this same position with his effective supervision of complex risk management policies and procedures of the company. Jimi also worked very closely with the internal and external inspections teams for the enhancement of the execution of quality audits.
Meanwhile, odimayo had earlier worked with Bell Point Energy Limited as the Head of Finance and Operations from 2013 to 2014. While in the company, he strived very hard and succeeded in raising over N20 billion from zero funding to finance the company’s operations from top Nigerian commercial banks. He also ensured steady liquidity and profitable operations of the company. He likewise had a stint at Somerset Energy as the Chief Finance Officer from 2010 to 2012. In addition, Jimi briefly worked with Acorn Energy as an Accountant form 2009 to 2010 as well as Acorn Petroleum also as an Accountant from 2008 to 2009. It is worthy of note that Odimayo began his working career at Relmint Oil where he worked as an Account Officer from 2007 to 2008.
Prince Jimi Odimayo is imbued with excellent communication and negotiating skills that has been helping him to achieve uncommon success. He also possesses incredible analytical and presentation skills; this is in addition to his matching time management ability. He has an amazingly good human relations skills. The much sought after financial wizard possesses an exceptional leadership ability that has proven very useful for him at managerial and executive levels.
Jimi is a financial guru with an extensive knowledge and experience in Corporate Financial and Management Reporting in the Nigerian private sector. He is highly proficient in Accounts Auditing and Compliance; Forensic Accounting; Management and Financial Accounting; Business Contracting and Budget Analysis. He is also very versed in in Taxation; preparation of Public and Corporate Financial Statements and Enforcement of Corporate Governance codes and ethics. Likewise, he has comprehensive knowledge of Quality Management and relevant/ up-to-date regulatory compliance, especially in the oil and gas sector.
The Ikale born Financial wizard is an M.Sc holder in Corporate Finance from the University of Liverpool, Liverpool. He also holds Post Graduate Diploma in Corporate Finance from the same University of Liverpool. Odimayo bagged his Higher National Diploma and Ordinary National Diploma in Accounting from the prestigious Yaba College of Technology, Lagos. He had his secondary school education at
Arerin High School, Ode Irele, Ondo State where he obtained his Senior School Certificate. In addition, Jimi
had attended several professional courses that which include Professional Proficiency Course in Sage Accounting Packages and
Professional Trainings In Shipping Procedures, Logistics and Projects Management. Moreso, he is also an active member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) and Nigerian Institute of Shippers (NIS).
He is the Chairman of Arowolo Royal Foundation which is concerned with philanthropic initiatives and services that have over the years impacted positively on the lives of many Nigerians, especially the youths. The Foundation has been concerned with the economic empowerment and training of youths. The Foundation also attends to the rehabilitation of youths that have taken into drugs and other social vices as well providing an avenue for the development of football talents of youths.
Prince Odimayo has rendered free but invaluable services to Ondo State. He was a member of the Commercial/Industrial Sub-group of the Transitional Committee that prepared the Socio-Economic Blueprint of the new Akeredolu administration in 2016. He has also been serving as a member of the Governing Board of the Ondo State University of Science and Technology from 2018 till date.
Jimi Odimayo is a man of many honours and awards. He was the recipient of Acorn Petroleum Special Recognition Award for successful implementation of Sage Line 500 and Sage Evolution Accounting packages. He was also honored with the award of Ikale Man of the Year 2016.
Prince Jimi is a responsible and committed family man. He ardently respects family values and this explains why he has been happily married with healthy and responsible children. He loves to unwind by playing tennis, keeping fit and reading motivational materials.
