The inspiration and a sense of calm and serenity so far demonstrated by Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State in the past five years has once again been commended . Pastor Ola Amuda made the commendation while speaking to the Press at a ceremony in Supare Akoko over the weekend, when asked to comment on the five years of Aketi as the Governor of Ondo State.
He opined that ” I commend the inspiration, as well as the sense of calm and serenity so far demonstrated by Governor Aketi in his five years in office. He has done well. I wondered at some of his policy decisions and actions at various times within the five years and came to the conclusion that he is a bold leader, who not only knows what are necessary to do but possesses the courage to do them at appropriate times. . Another person in his shoes would have done or acted differently .
When asked to give instances, the former Aids to Late Olusegun Agagu noted that the establishment of the Amotekun Corps was a tall and tough call led by Governor Akeredolu as the Chairman of the Southwest Governor’s Forum. ” Given the timing of it’s establishment another person in his shoes would have soft- pedaled till after his second time election in 2020 or till after necessary validation of the result of his re-election at relevant stages of jurisdiction . At a public gathering in 2020, I can recall he was very vocal about this and noted that he could not sacrifice the lives of his people at the altar of politics.
” Another special quality he has demonstrated is his belief that Governance is a continuum. When he came on board in 2017 he continued with the programmes and projects he met on ground and initiated new ones . He did not even have the time to criticize past administration(s). He allowed those in statutory positions appointed by preceding administration to see through their tenures and paid several months of outstanding salaries . Another person as the Governor may have acted differently.
Responding to another question on what should be the focus of Aketi’s Government in it’s last three years, he responded with affinity that: ” The Government should now focus on two major areas. First, it is very obvious that the State Government has enough projects on hand, even if it can no longer start new ones because of paucity of funds, it must strive to complete all on going projects.”
Secondly, as the State’s finances improves, the Government will like to improve on its Welfare Packages – like the payment of outstanding and susisting Salaries, Pensions and Gratuity, as Mr Governor himself recently, promised to pay all such outstanding entitlements before he lives Office in the one hand.”
” And on the other hand, there should also be improvement on its Welfare Packages to both the General Public as well as the Party Faithfuls”, he concluded
Ola Amuda, also used the occasion to congratulate his Friend : Pharmacist Samuel Adekola on the occasion of the final burial rites for his Late Mother : Mama Victoria Ajayi Adekola at Supare Akoko over the weekend.
Monday, April 29, 2024